New Neighbors

Chapter 5 New Neighbors Principal Murphy took me to the school office. She took away Roz's skateboard. Then she punished me for being out of my classroom by making me do something super tough. She made me sit still.

Sometimes Principal Murphy keeps me after school. But when the final bell rang, she said, “ Today, Clyde, I have something else I need to do. " So did I. I walked quickly out of the school building. Then I ran. Claudia ran after me. “ Are you okay?" " I am now, " I said. " I'm away from school and from Principal Murphy! " " She's just doing her job. " Claudia ran beside me. “ She's trying to keep school free of troublemakers. And of monkeys. " " Ha! " I said. But I knew my sister was right. Like usual.

We ran around a corner and onto our block We were almost home. " Look, Clyde! " Claudia pointed to the house next to ours. We slowed to a stop. The big moving truck was gone. " You think our neighbors have moved in?" Claudia asked. There were no cars in the driveway. But ! saw something white inside the window move as we walked toward the front door. " Claudia! Clyde! "

It was Mom calling us from our house. " Rats! " I said. " We better go, Clyde, " Claudia said. Our parents had a rule. After school Claudia and I were to do our homework first. Then we could play. " We'll come back later, Clyde. " Claudia pulled me to our house. I walked upstairs to my bedroom. I opened my math book. Looking at homework problems made me sleepy. So I looked out my window at the house next to mine.

I wondered if my new neighbors had a kid my age. Someone who played soccer, like me. Or liked monkeys. Like me. I opened my window and grinned. A wave of energy splashed through me. My head started spinning. My heart raced. Faster. And faster. I sneezed. A-CHOO!