A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed!

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 5 — No ties I repeated I could totally keep that promise

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 6 — hy don’t we talk about our plans for the summer said our teacher Ms Singer on the last day of school Here was my chance to tell everyone about my job I hadn’t told anyone yet I was scared the Porcupines would change their mind I thought Wally might call and say Sorry kid we couldn’t wait for school to get out We’re bringing in a kid who’s dropped out But now I knew my batboy job was for real I would be starting the next day There was no game but Wally said I should show up and help unload the team bus I decided to wait until everyone else had talked before I told the class my news You should always save the best for last Who wants to be first Me Me cried Abby Yes Abby I have an acting role Abby said It’s going to keep me superbusy but it’s an awesome opportunity That’s great Ms Singer said Can you tell us more about it

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 7 — Sorry said Abby I can’t Are you in a play here in Pine City asked Emily Can we come see you I can’t tell said Abby Give us a hint said Ivan Well it’s a very challenging role said Abby It involves both improvisation and pantomime Huh Those are acting terms Abby explained I didn’t know what her acting role was but my news was probably better One by one the other kids in the class talked about their summer plans Oscar’s family was going to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore Michelle was taking ballet lessons Scott was rereading his favorite fantasy series Crystal was playing softball in the park league That was cool because softball was practically the same thing as baseball Maria was going camping Rachel was expecting a baby brother OK that was hard to top But I still thought I had the coolest plans Jayden didn’t have any plans except bike riding and swimming There’s nothing wrong with that said Ms Singer It’s better than watching TV and playing video games That’s what I’m doing said Ivan The whole class laughed The other kids took their turns until Dylan and I were the only two left I didn’t know Dylan that well He sat with other kids at lunch He didn’t raise his hand a lot but when the teacher

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 8 — called on him he usually knew the answer He was good in gym class but not a show-off He didn’t raise his hand now Maybe he had some awesome news he was saving for last too Whatever it was it wasn’t as awesome as my news Ms Singer looked back and forth at him and me waiting for one of us to talk I really wanted to go last I crossed my arms and looked at Dylan Your turn I mouthed He gave in I’m going to be a batboy for the Pine City Porcupines he said I start tomorrow night Every kid’s mouth dropped open but nobody’s mouth dropped more open than mine Everyone started asking a million questions Are you going to hang out with the players asked Oscar Dylan was cool about the whole thing Of course Will you go on road trips asked Crystal Nah I just work the home games What will you do asked Ivan All kinds of stuff said Dylan What’s the big surprise Jayden asked Huh I heard about it in a radio commercial Saturday’s game

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