2 Mr. Willow’s Footsteps

CHAPTER TWO MR. WILLOW'S FOOTSTEPS "IT'S SURPRISING! IT'S amazing! You finish the second half of that bowl even faster than the first," Simon said as the rest of the class sat down and got quiet. He didn't even notice. "And then—OH NO!—the nightmare is back! The chocolate balls are gone. You ate them too fast! There's nothing left. You didn't savor the flavor. All you have now is the fading memory of chocolaty scrumptiousness. Then you—" "Simon, the bell—" I tried to interrupt. But he

didn't pay any attention. He had to keep going. "Then you make the third amazing discovery!" The whole room was quiet. Except for Simon. And Mr. Willow's footsteps. "Simon, here comes—" Rosie said, trying to stop him. It didn't work. "You didn't even notice!" Simon continued, even louder. "It's the milk!" Mr. Willow stood behind Simon. Simon didn't know he was there. "It's brown!" Simon yelled.

He sort of stood up halfway and leaned toward Rosie and me with his hands on the table. "Beautiful

chocolaty brown! You sip and slurp and swallow every last drop of that liquid chocolate treasure!" Simon sat down. He exhaled. He whispered, "And that—that—is the Cocoa Puffs breakfast experience." Some of the kids in class applauded. Mr. Willow did not. He put a hand on Simon's shoulder. "Come see me at my desk after I take attendance," he said. That happened Friday. On Saturday, Rosie and I headed to Simon's house.

TWO CHAPTERS DOWN. YOU MUST BE FOCUSED!