12 FLOP QUIZ

CHAPTER 12 FLOP QUIZ Rip. how come you don't like Nikki?" Alexander asked. "She's weird!" Rip slammed his locker shut. "She's always by herself, she wears that dopey hoodie... and now she's following us around!" Rip looked at the floor. "But that's not the worst part." Alexander raised an eyebrow. "No?" "No, Salamander," Rip said. "Last week, that girl crossed the line. The lunch line. There was one dish of Jell-O left... and she took it! Right in front of me!"

Alexander laughed. "You're mad because of a little blob of Jell-O?" Rip frowned. "It was strawberry." Alexander and Rip walked into class, where students were taking practice swings with their foils. "Rip, you're wrong about Nikki. She's super smart. And brave she doesn't let you push her around!" "ALEXANDER BOPP!" shouted a froggy voice. "DEFEND YOURSELF!" A laundry cart shot across the room, straight at Alexander.

Coach Gill stood atop the cart, sword held high. "Wait, what?!" Alexander cried. He raised his practice foil. Coach Gill did a backflip off the cart, and SMACK! swatted Alexander's foil from his hand. "That was the quiz," she said, "and you failed!" The coach leaned in close, pressing her cold face mask against Alexander's cheek. "You're as weak as Hoarsely," she croaked. Alexander held his breath. What was that about? he thought.

"ALL RIGHT! WHO'S NEXT?" Coach Gill whirled around, bringing her sword down hard. CLANK! Her blade clashed against Rip's practice foil. Rip's grip was firm. "Well done you've been practicing." Coach Gill lowered her sword. "Rip Bonkowski, you're a model student!" Rip blinked. Nobody had ever called him that before. Coach Gill hacked her way down the line, giving everyone an F. She shook her head. "Pathetic! Only one worthy opponent in the whole class!" The coach stormed out of the gym.

Alexander dragged Rip over to Nikki, who was picking her foil up off the floor. "You're right, Nikki," Alexander said. "We should team up. It's the only way to stop these tunnel fish. Right, Rip?" He gave Rip a nudge. "I'm, uh," Rip said, gritting his teeth. "I'm sorry you got mad when I called you names and stuff." Nikki rolled her eyes. "Good enough," she said. "Great!" said Alexander. "And now, Nikki, can you please tell us what S.S.M.P. stands for?" "Tell you?" said Nikki. "Better yet, I'll show you! Meet me tonight at the old kickball diamond. 6:30, sharp!"