CHAPTER ONE Boris is in a difficult situation which means I am too but that’s what happens when you’re Boris Snodbuckle’s best friend and number-one sidekick Like two weeks ago when we snuck onto the roof of the school during a rainstorm to recreate Benjamin Franklin’s lightning experiment It got awkward when the police showed up and well you get the idea Our current difficulties started when I suggested to Boris that we get a sip of water Mr Grisham our gym teacher had just announced a dodgeball game Dodgeball is not kind to me It tends to show off my lack of coordination and dread of getting smacked by a rubber ball I hoped a bit of water would settle my nerves I’m parched I said to Boris We’d spent most of the class hanging out in the gym waiting for Mr Grisham to get off his phone He then sent us out to jog around the school a few times for what Mr Grisham said was track-and-field training Boris and I went hard at it Most everyone else walked Boris is a bit of a fitness nut Sure thing Adrian We might miss the first dodgeball game though This was a risk I was willing to take Mr Grisham can Adrian and I go get some water Boris asked Okay Buckle Go for it But hurry back I want you boys in the first game Mr Grisham said He offered us a wide grin of the ear-to-ear variety It made him look like an alligator with a whistle around its neck He terrified me Boris put his hands on his hips Mr Grisham I know my name is kinda funny but if you have to use a nickname I go by the B-Ster I held my breath As a gym teacher Mr Grisham has considerable influence among the athletic kids at Bendale Public School and if he agreed to use the B Ster Boris’s nickname prospects might improve A name like Snodbuckle practically begs for a nickname Buckle is obvious Unfortunately Boris has been given some less flattering handles such as Snod Bod Buckle-Bottom Snuckle-Buckle Buckle Head and Belt Buckle Snot
