7. UP, Up, And Away

UP, UP, AND AWAY 7 Principal Winik's voice boomed through the open classroom window: "Teams, please take the field!" It was the next morning and Kickball Showdown was beginning. Sam, Lucy, and Antonio were stuck inside, scrubbing gum. "I feel like Cinderella," Antonio said, as he scraped gum from a window.

"Yeah, but instead of missing some fancy ball, we are missing Kickball Showdown," Lucy added. "No talking!" Ms. Grinker barked. She was at her desk (which was covered in gum). She stood and marched across the room. "I'm going to straighten up the supply closet. But I will be watching this door! If anyone leaves, you're in big trouble!" The door shut.

WOOOT! A whistle pierced the air. Principal Winik's whistle announced the start of the first inning. Sam, Lucy, and Antonio ran to the window. Teachers and students were seated in the bleachers. "Everyone's out there!" Antonio said. "And there are no hall monitors to stop Orson from attacking!" Lucy said. "Guys, we need to find a way to protect everyone," Sam said.

Antonio peeked out the door window. He saw Ms. Grinker at the supply closet. "How can we sneak out while she's right there?" Just then SPLAT! A glob of blue bubble gum dropped onto Sam's shoulder. He glanced up. A string of gum dangled from an air vent in the ceiling. Sam smiled. "If we don't walk out that door, Ms. Grinker won't know we're gone!" A moment later, he was standing on a desk. Antonio and Lucy were hoisting him up, into the vent...