at the station managing to secure the absolute best spots in the whole train the little two-seater squeezed in at the very front This thought Jordan was an extremely good sign for the day See said Max who had shown Jordan that they needed to twist all the way around in their seats to look out the train’s front window together Isn’t this fantastic It’s like we’re flying
Totally said Jordan standing up from his seat and holding his arms out at his sides like a terribly graceful bird He felt free there was no other word for it Max called a voice behind them Jordan The friends swiveled back to face the rest of the train and saw their teacher Ms Davenport with a clipboard in her hands and a not-very-impressed look on her face You need to stay with the group please she reminded them tapping her pen impatiently on the attendance sheet I’m going to have to ask our special parent-helper Mr Waters to keep his eye on you two today Okay You can count on me said Mr Waters springing up from the seat next to his daughter Vivian to answer 3
the teacher’s call He had on a dark-green velvet jacket and a pair of loafers without socks Jordan’s feet felt cold just looking at them I’ll be watching Mr Waters said to Jordan and Max waggling a finger at them Max flashed their new chaperone a tight smile then slumped down in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest What’s wrong Jordan whispered This stinks said Max Whenever I go downtown with Tracy and Connie they’re the ones in charge I don’t get to do anything I want Jordan had met Max’s sisters He found it easy to believe they wouldn’t listen to their little brother when the three of them were together Max continued I thought this trip would be different But now we’ve got 4
this goofy guy who’ll be keeping track of our every move It’s not fair Jordan considered this as he watched the sunlight dance on the fabric of Mr Waters’s coat The parent-helper had noticed an intriguing advertisement by the handrail above them and seemed lost in the fine print Maybe he’ll be nice Jordan said Viv’s okay after all And we can still have fun You said the museum has dinosaurs right Right said Max straightening up just a little They’re pretty cool They even have a gigantic T rex Wow Yeah And a Triceratops Cool What else said Jordan smiling as his friend sprang back to life beside him 5
