8. The Science Fair Begins

THE SCIENCE FAIR BEGINS 8 For a full week, the friends worked on their projects. Lucy was soon a master in writing with homemade invisible ink. Antonio knew everything there was to know about heat, frost, and snow. But Sam's project never worked! Every time, Sam made a mistake. He wondered if, maybe, Orson Eerie was causing him to fail.

Soon it was Friday night: the evening of the science fair. The school gymnasium was packed. TAP! TAP! TAP! Ms. Grinker stood at the front of the gym, tapping on the microphone. She called for attention, then thanked the parents, students, and teachers for coming. "Welcome to the science fair," she said. "I'll be walking around to judge the projects..."

While Ms. Grinker spoke, parents and teachers walked the maze of tables. Sam and his friends stood by their projects. Sam looked over at Lucy and Antonio. Like Sam, they were nervously waiting for something to happen. Sam saw his mom walking toward him. That made him feel just a bit better. But then he saw what was in her hand...

It was the book! Strange Science Experiments to Dazzle and Amaze! Suddenly, Sam felt hot and light-headed. He began to sweat. "Sam, I thought you might need this," his mom said as she handed him the book. Sam took it with trembling hands. "Um, um...," Sam said. He couldn't form any words. "Are you okay?" his mom asked. Sam nodded. "Uh, yeah, Mom. I'm fine." Sam's mom smiled and rustled his hair. "That's some volcano!" she said as she turned to leave. "Looks ready to blow!"

Sam tried to smile, but his heart was pounding. His mom had brought the book to the school! That was the worst thing possible! Orson Eerie would know it was here. He would sense it. Sam quickly jammed the book inside his backpack. He zipped his bag shut tight. But just as he did, it began to shake... Oh no, Sam thought. "Lucy, what do we have here?" Ms. Grinker asked as she stood over Lucy's project. Sam looked up. Lucy dipped a Q-tip into a bowl of lemon juice and wrote on a piece of paper. The juice dried, and the message became invisible.

While Lucy was performing her science experiment, Sam's backpack banged against the table leg. The book was trying to escape! Sam coughed to cover the sound. "Now watch," Lucy said to Ms. Grinker. "When I heat the paper with this flashlight, you will be able to read what I wrote. See?" Ms. Grinker chuckled. "You earn a ribbon," she said.