8 Colliding On and Off the Field

CHAPTER EIGHT Colliding On and Off the Field Collision Theory (noun). When two molecules collide, they transfer kinetic energy, which can break bonds within the molecules. But this is a good thing, because it means that new bonds can be made. Think of it like playing Red Rover, where a kid crashes through linked hands. But then different hands can link, and the fun game can continue. "OKAY, THIS IS REALLY THE LAST STRAW," said Phoenix, grimacing as she punched the tetherball super hard. I was about to punch it back but I caught the ball instead. "Wasn't that your bad hand?" I said. Phoenix gazed down in surprise. "I definitely shouldn't have done that. I can still feel those cactus needles." She turned and gazed over at Birdie. "I think I'm going to sit down." Phoenix never sits down during recess so I knew she must

still be in a little bit of pain. Avery, on the other hand, often sat inside during recess to read. Phoenix plopped down next to Birdie, who was sketching at a nearby picnic table. I went over to join them and inspected Birdie's drawing. It was a creepy vampire with streaks of purple in his blond hair. Only this vampire wasn't sleeping in a crypt, but on a giant soccer ball. And he looked really familiar. "That's Jeremy," I said. "You definitely captured his personality," said Phoenix. I gazed at the blue October sky. Canada geese flew overhead in a V formation. It was warm enough that we didn't need our coats, just sweaters. "I really want to find out why Jeremy's not more bothered by the detention. It's so strange." I hopped off the picnic bench. "Let's go over by the field." "You think watching him play soccer is going to help?" asked Phoenix. "Well, we won't learn anything just sitting here," I said. We were like a bunch of molecules in a solid, hardly moving. Just sort of vibrating. "I'm in." Birdie snapped shut her sketchbook. "Me too," said Phoenix. "Most definitely."

We crept closer to the field and settled in by some mulberry bushes, close enough so we could eavesdrop. "Memito, your shoes are untied," said Jeremy just after he finished scoring a goal. "You'll trip," warned Elijah. Memito adjusted his baseball cap. "Maybe I'll break my right arm. And then I'll get an excuse for the rest of the month. I won't be able to do any writing." "They'll make you write with your left hand," said Jeremy. "That would be scary," said Memito, kicking up some grass. "I'd write like a preschooler. No, way worse. An alien." "I'd write for you," offered Elijah. "Dude, no. You've got such bad handwriting," said Memito. "And your hands are sticky." "My hands?" said Elijah. "You're the one always eating power bars." "That why I'm full of power." Memito raised both of his arms in a champion salute. They weren't talking about real stuff, just stuff like a broken arm that might possibly happen. In science, that's not even a hypothesis, because a hypothesis is stuff that you expect to be true.

With a sigh, I signaled for us to head back to the picnic table. We were just about to leave when Elijah stepped up to us. "Hey," he said. "What are you all doing?" "Nothing," said Phoenix. "Yeah," added Birdie. "Bird watching." I giggled, pointing to Birdie. "Ha ha." Elijah didn't look convinced though. "Hey, Kate, do you think that your mom can take me home tomorrow? After our detention." I didn't say anything. Right now, I was annoyed at Elijah. How could he be hanging around with Jeremy? "Did you hear what I just said?" he said. "Yeah" "So?" I shrugged. "I guess my mom can drive you." Suddenly, it reminded me all over again of the upcoming detention. Today wasn't going so well. And the forecast for tomorrow wasn't looking any better.