11 THE LAST STRIKE

CHAPTER 11 THE LAST STRIKE Alexander followed Dr. Tallow into the classroom. Students were once again standing around, yakking. Dr. Tallow picked up a stack of notecards. "Alexander, why don't you have a word with Nikki while I pass these out?" she suggested. Alexander walked over to Nikki.

"Salamander!" said Nikki. "Where have you been?" "I was outside—chasing a snombie!" said Alexander. "Were there mushrooms on its head?" asked Nikki. "Or did the monster somehow vanish, like the others?" "No mushrooms—I checked," said Alexander. "And the snombie didn't vanish. It took the elevator!" He paused. "Can I ask you something?" "Yeah, sure," Nikki said. "Could you, uh, try being a little nicer to Dr. Tallow?" asked Alexander. "She thinks you don't like her." "I can't believe you're taking her side!" Nikki said. "I'm trying my best! She just doesn't like me!"

Rip ran up, waving a notecard. "Look! Dr. Tallow loves me! She gave me a note saying we're BFFs!" Nikki rolled her eyes. "That's not a note! It's your grade," she said. "Yeah, yeah," said Rip. "Let's see how you do on your project!" He stomped back to his seat.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP-CLAP-CLAP! "To your seats, dearies," Dr. Tallow sang. "It's time for Nikki's animal report." She gave Nikki an ear-to-ear smile. Nikki picked up a fishbowl from her desk and walked to the front of the room. She cleared her throat and began to speak. "Goldfish make great pets "Louder, dear!" Dr. Tallow interrupted. Nikki gritted her teeth, and spoke louder. "Goldfish can also—" "Stand up straight, please!" said Dr. Tallow.

Nikki unslouched her shoulders. The fishbowl jiggled, splashing a drop of water onto the carpet. "Oh no. You've made a mess," said Dr. Tallow. Nikki's hand was shaking as she pointed to Rip's stink-blaster on the bookcase. "Rip stinks up the whole room, and he's your BFF!" she yelled. "But I spill one drop of water and I'm making a mess?!" Everyone gasped. Dr. Tallow silently walked to the board. "Last strike, missy," she said. Dr. Tallow added a twentieth X after Nikki's name.

Then she pressed the intercom button and said, "Please send Ms. Vanderpants, right away." Nikki stood in silence. The class sat in silence. The goldfish swam in silence. A minute later, the door opened. Principal Vanderpants entered the room. Dr. Tallow pointed to Nikki. "Come with me," said Ms. Vanderpants. Nikki's shoulders slumped. She frowned at Alexander, and then followed the principal out of the room.