9 Let the Games Begin

CHAPTER 9 LET THE GAMES BEGIN On the bus to school, every- one is bragging. My team and Derek's team are both bursting with boasts and insults: "We're better... you're but- ter," they yell. "Oh yeah, we're champs," we reply. "You're chumps."

THANK YOU. I was TRIPPED. "Oh yeah, we're winners," they reply. "You're whiners." Wow, that one kind of stung. "Whatever, we're number one and you're done," our team yells out.

"All of you cut that out," says Mr. Fenderbender, the school bus driver. "It's not whether you win or lose... It's how you play the game." "That's right," says Eric. "And we'll play it better than Derek's team."

"I don't think so," says Derek. "Because we're going to crush you. Then mush you. And afterward turn you into slush!" The funny thing is, we were all good friends yesterday, before we chose teams. YOU'RE TOAST! YOU'RE CREAMED!