Leo took the pink backpack and ran to Violet’s line Her class was already walking into the school Violet wait Here’s your backpack Violet turned around and smiled at Leo Thanks she said But now you’re late for class Leo turned around At the other end of the school Mr Chang was already leading the class inside Not again Leo said I even came early today Leo ran as fast as he could He was only a few feet from the door when it closed He pulled at the door but it was locked He banged on the window Nadia the last girl in line looked over and saw him Let me in Leo said through the window Nadia stood there for a moment and smiled Then she stuck out her tongue at him She turned around and followed her class inside Leo thunked his head against the window Oh great he said I have to get a late slip again 4
Chapter Two The only way to get back into the school was through the main doors Leo trudged inside and went to the office The secretary did not look up from her desk She was busy on the phone Late again she said It took Leo a moment to realize she was talking to him It was not my fault Leo said Violet forgot her bag The secretary handed Leo a late slip And last Friday you tried to rescue a grasshopper from the ants They were going to eat it Leo said 5
And the day before that you had to help Joseph’s puppy across the street Right Leo said He could have been hit by a car The secretary put the phone down Go to class Leo She handed him a purple slip that said LATE in big black letters Leo hung his head and sighed He walked to class By the time he had hung up his bag got his homework and walked to the classroom kids were already on the carpet Mr Chang was sitting on his chair pointing at two boys running around the desks It’s circle time Mr Chang said His face was as purple as Leo’s late slip Mr Chang saw Leo standing at the door Sorry I’m late Leo said Where were you Mr Chang said Violet forgot her bag Leo said I saw Leo running across the field after the bell rang Nadia said politely She said everything very politely Nothing else she did was very polite 6
Leo frowned An eraser hit the white board behind Mr Chang Boys sit down now he said Larry and Eli ignored him Mr Chang grinned He reached into a bag sitting by his feet You won’t see my surprise if you’re not paying attention He pulled out a golden piece of paper from the bag It had stars all over it Leo’s eyes went wide Cool What is that It’s a special award Mr Chang said Each month I will give one away for someone who shows good skills This month I’m looking for responsibility Responsi-what Eli asked Then he bumped into a chair Responsibility Mr Chang repeated Like coming to the carpet quietly and calmly Larry Eli’s friend bumped over the same chair and fell onto Eli I like shiny things Larry said I could cut that up to make gold coins for my pirate treasure Eli shouted Eli liked pirates a lot 7
