Free Jinxed! by Kurtis Scaletta, Eric Wight Page A

out.”
    But now I knew my batboy job was for real. I would be starting the next day. There was nogame, but Wally said I should show up and help unload the team bus.
    I decided to wait until everyone else had talked before I told the class my news. You should always save the best for last.
    â€œWho wants to be first?”
    â€œMe! Me!” cried Abby.
    â€œYes, Abby?”
    â€œI have an acting role,” Abby said. “It’s going to keep me superbusy, but it’s an awesome opportunity.”
    â€œThat’s great,” Ms. Singer said. “Can you tell us more about it?”
    â€œSorry,” said Abby. “I can’t.”
    â€œAre you in a play here in Pine City?” asked Emily. “Can we come see you?”
    â€œI can’t tell,” said Abby.
    â€œGive us a hint,” said Ivan.
    â€œWell, it’s a very challenging role,” saidAbby. “It involves both improvisation and pantomime.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œThose are acting terms,” Abby explained.
    I didn’t know what her acting role was, but my news was probably better.
    One by one, the other kids in the class talked about their summer plans. Oscar’s family was going to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore. Michelle was taking ballet lessons. Scott was rereading his favorite fantasy series. Crystal was playing softball in the park league. (That was cool, because softball was practically the same thing as baseball.) Maria was going camping. Rachel was expecting a baby brother. (OK, that was hard to top. But I still thought I had the coolest plans.) Jayden didn’t have any plans except bike riding and swimming.
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with that,” saidMs. Singer. “It’s better than watching TV and playing video games.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m doing!” said Ivan. The whole class laughed.
    The other kids took their turns until Dylan and I were the only two left.
    I didn’t know Dylan that well. He sat with other kids at lunch. He didn’t raise his hand a lot, but when the teacher called on him, he usually knew the answer. He was good in gym class but not a show-off.
    He didn’t raise his hand now. Maybe he had some awesome news he was saving for last, too. Whatever it was, it wasn’t as awesome as my news.
    Ms. Singer looked back and forth at him and me, waiting for one of us to talk.
    I really wanted to go last. I crossed my arms and looked at Dylan. “Your turn,” I mouthed.
    He gave in.
    â€œI’m going to be a batboy for the Pine City Porcupines,” he said. “I start tomorrow night.”
    Every kid’s mouth dropped open, but nobody’s mouth dropped more open than mine.
    Everyone started asking a million questions.
    â€œAre you going to hang out with the players?” asked Oscar.
    Dylan was cool about the whole thing. “Of course.”
    â€œWill you go on road trips?” asked Crystal.
    â€œNah. I just work the home games.”
    â€œWhat will you do?” asked Ivan.
    â€œAll kinds of stuff,” said Dylan.
    â€œWhat’s the big surprise?” Jayden asked.
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œI heard about it in a radio commercial. Saturday’s game . . .”

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    â€œ. . . is Kids Get In Free Day!” Ivan blurted out.
    â€œYeah,” said Jayden. “And the radio said to come for the big surprise.”
    â€œI don’t know about any surprise,” said Dylan.
    â€œDo you get to wear a uniform?” Oscar asked.
    â€œYep.”
    â€œWow,” said Oscar.
    â€œDo you get paid?” Maria asked.
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œHow much?”
    â€œN.O.Y.B.,” said Dylan.
    â€œI’m a batboy too!” I shouted.
    Everybody looked at me.
    â€œWell, I am,” I said. “For the Porcupines.”
    â€œSure you are,” said Oscar.
    â€œEverybody’s a batboy!” said Ivan.
    â€œI am, and I can prove it!” I said.