Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3 Michael and Justin successfully avoided Edgar upon their arrival at Walnut Creek Elementary School. In their opinion, confronting Edgar was something to be avoided at all costs. That's the main reason they walked to school. Riding the bus would be much easier and much faster, but their bus was also Edgar's bus. "You know he's going to want his drone back, even if he has to pound it out of you," Justin warned as the two friends crouched behind the bushes at the entrance to the school. "Not until he apologizes for TP-ing my house," Michael whispered defiantly. "Are you nuts?" Justin asked. "He's not going to apologize! He's too big to apologize." Just then Michael and Justin's other best friend, Sadie, passed by with her friend Maddie. "Did you hear?" Sadie was saying excitedly. "Super Squish Squids 3 releases tonight!" Michael's fear of Edgar was immediately replaced by elation. "TONIGHT?!!!" he shouted, popping out of the bushes and scaring the girls half to death. They screamed in

unison. Sadie whipped off her backpack and whacked Michael over the head with it in one swift ninja move. Michael protested. "Don't scare us like that!" Sadie answered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to." "We were hiding from Edgar," Justin explained. "When did you hear about Super Squish Squids 3?!" Michael asked. It was his favorite video game of all time.

"This morning," Sadie answered proudly. Super Squish Squids was also her all-time favorite game. Being the first kid at school with this news gave Sadie the upper hand in her Super Squish Squids rivalry with Michael. "Aw, man. I can't wait to get home!" Michael said. "Same here," Sadie declared. The friends made their way to class, putting off the inevitable showdown with Edgar until lunchtime. "Where's my drone, Gomez?!" Edgar demanded, approaching the fifth-grade lunch tables with his two minions. Michael had been counting on his classmates for

protection, and they did not disappoint. At least ten kids slid their chairs back and stood up. "The one you used to TP my house?" Michael asked boldly. "Um..." Edgar stuttered. "Yeah?" "You can have it back if you apologize," Michael insisted. Edgar sneered. "I'm too big to apologize." "I told you," Justin whispered. Michael stared Edgar down. "No apology, no drone." As Edgar looked around at Michael's backup posse, he knew he'd been beat. "All right. Sorry. Gimme back my drone." It wasn't much of an apology, but Michael was surprised to hear it nonetheless. "Also," he added nervously, "no beating me up once I hand it over." "Grrrr...," Edgar conceded as he retreated to the fourth-grade tables. "Cool. I'll bring it to school tomorrow," Michael called out.