9 Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Marvin got to school early, and waited. Judy Jasper was dropped off in the school parking lot. Marvin watched her get out of the car. Marvin was glad she was alone. The kids usually weren't mean to him when they were alone. It was only when they were in a group. The bigger the group, the meaner they acted. "Judy," he called. "What?" asked Judy. She had very curly hair. "I have to ask you my question for the class survey," said Marvin. "Okay," said Judy. "You have to tell the truth," said Marvin. "I will," said Judy. "Okay," said Marvin. "Well, here goes." He took a breath. "Have you ever picked your nose?"

Judy screamed, then ran away. Marvin ran after her. "Wait!" he called. "You have to answer my question!" He chased her around the bike rack and caught up with her just outside the girls' bathroom. "Have you ever picked your nose?" he asked again. "Ever?" asked Judy. Marvin nodded.

Judy ducked into the girls' bathroom. Marvin was about to walk away. But then, safe within the bathroom walls, Judy Jasper shouted, "Yes!" Kenny was drinking from the water fountain. "I have to ask you my question for the class survey," said Marvin. Kenny kept drinking. "Have you ever picked your nose?" asked Marvin. Kenny coughed and spit out water. He looked up at Marvin. "That's your question?" he asked.

Marvin nodded. "Did Mrs. North approve it?" Marvin shrugged. "Darn!" said Kenny. "I didn't know you could ask questions like that." "So, have you?" asked Marvin. "Yeah, I guess," said Kenny. Marvin wrote down Kenny's answer. jmkfho. "I'm going to see if it's too late to change my

question," said Kenny. "I could ask all the girls—What color is your underwear?" He cracked up. Nick and Stuart arrived together. "What do you want?" asked Nick. "Don't worry," said Marvin. "I'm not going to try to be your friend. I just have to ask you my question for the class survey." "Okay," said Stuart. "But make it quick." He looked around to make sure that no one was watching. "Have you ever picked your nose?" asked Marvin. "Give me a break," said Stuart. "Just answer the question," said Marvin. "No one's ever going to like you if you keep asking questions like that," said Nick. "Just answer the question." "Yes, I've picked my nose," said Stuart. "Are you happy?" "Me too," said Nick. "But I don't go around talking about it!"

"What do you want, Snot-face?" asked Clarence. "I have to ask you my survey question." "Just don't get any of your boogers on me," said Clarence. Marvin looked at him. He couldn't understand Clarence. They both knew that Clarence made that up. They both knew the ball was over the line. "No one else is around," said Marvin. "Can't we just be honest with each other?" "Booger brain!" said Clarence. "Well, here's my question," said Marvin. "And you have to tell the truth." "I never lie," said Clarence. "Have you ever picked your nose?" "No way!" said Clarence. "I'm not gross like you." Casey's ponytail stuck out of the side of her head. "Casey," said Marvin. "I have to ask you my question for the class survey." "Shoot," said Casey, "Have you ever picked your nose?" Casey laughed.