3 THE SQUEALS ON THE BUS

CHAPTER 3 THE SQUEALS ON THE BUS The next morning, Alexander's dad dropped Alexander off in the school parking lot. The students were lining up near a bus. Rip and Nikki were already there, talking to Dottie. "Hey, Salamander!" said Nikki. "We were just telling Dottie about our new school building."

"It's so fancy!" said Dottie. "You're lucley, Dottie," said Nikki. "We used to go to school in an old hospital." "You're double-lucley," Alexander added. "You get a field trip on your first day!" Dottie smiled. "You're triple-lucky..." said Rip, "...that you're allowed to board the bus with that goofy-looking backpack—OW!"

Nikki had pinched Rip's arm. "Ignore him, Dottie," she said. "We're glad you're here! Oh, look!" She pointed to a tall, white-haired man carrying a big cooler. "There's Mr. Hoarsely." "Hoarsely's a huge weenie," said Rip. "He's afraid of everything." "Is he the bus driver?" asked Dottie. "Yep," said Alexander. "He's also the school secretary, nurse, gym teacher, and janitor." Alexander didn't mention that Mr. Hoarsely was a former member of the S.S.M.P. Or that he seemed to be the only grown-up who could see monsters.

"Morning, children!" said Mr. Hoarsely. He whistled as he boarded the bus. "Whoa!" said Nikki. "Mr. Hoarsely looks so calm today!" "And happy!" said Alexander. Mr. Hoarsely stuck his head out the door. "All aboard!" he said. "The park opens in ten minutes!" The students climbed onto the bus. Dr. Tallow sat in the second row, digging through her purse. Rip plopped down in the very first seat. "Let's sit up front with Dr. Tallow, guys!" he said.

"Well, good morning, Rip," said Dr. Tallow. "And hello, Alexander and Dottie!" She rubbed some lotion on her hands. "My skin gets so dry on warm days. Oh. Hello, Nikki." Alexander, Rip, and Dottie smiled back. Nikki gave a silent nod. Mr. Hoarsely started the engine. "We're off!" he yelled, as he drove out of the parking lot. Rip leaned forward. "So does this amusement park have lots of cool rides?" he shouted to Mr. Hoarsely. "You bet!" said Mr. Hoarsely. "They have a carousel, a haunted house, a roller coaster—you name it!"

"Yahoo!" Rip yelled. For the rest of the ride, he bounced in his seat. At last, the bus came to a stop. "Here we are!" Mr. Hoarsely said. PSSSHT! The door slid open. Rip shoved past Alexander and flew down the steps. BLOMP! He crashed right into a ten- foot-tall orange creature with a pointy head, white stripes, and huge, bulging eyes.