Read Online My Homework Ate My Homework by Patrick Jennings - Free Book Online Page B

like that,” Mr. O. says with a grin. He probably likes it, too: it means he gets a break from us. “We will still meet here after lunch, of course. Remember, you are not required to participate in the play. If you don’t wish to, I will find something for you to do here in the classroom.”
    Right. Like who would choose not to participate?
    “Those of you who do choose to participate, I expect you to be attentive, courteous, respectful …” And
blah, blah, blah
until at last … “And so please let me introduce you to your directors, Josh and Hannah.”
    We all clap, but I make sure I’m the loudest, and the last one to stop.
    “Hi,” Hannah says, giving us a little wave.She’s blushing and uncomfortable, so she can’t be an actor. Actors love an audience. “I’m Hannah—with an
h
at both ends—and I’m one of your theater facilitators, and I’m so super excited that together we’re going to put on a
show
!”
    That was totally canned. I bet she says it every time. But I cheer and hoot anyway. It can’t hurt to be on her good side.
    “A
show
! Woo-hoo! All
right
!”
    Mr. O. glares. I stop.
    “I’m your director for the play,” Hannah goes on. “I’m also stage manager. I coordinate the lighting, the sets, the costumes, and the props. Do any of you know what a prop is?”
    “
Prop
is short for
property
,” I say. “And it’s the objects actors use during a performance.”
    Hannah nods, then yawns, and her partner steps forward.
    “I’m Josh. I’ll be your acting and singing coach. I’ll also be acting in the play with you, playing the role of Wild Bill Hickok.”
    I glance at Wain and watch him slump in his chair. I tilt my head, faux-pout, and mouth,
Sorry!
It’s better this way, though. No sense Wain gettinghis hopes up when he didn’t have a chance of landing the role.
    “I’ll be onstage with you at all times during the performances,” Josh says. “That way, if you get stuck and can’t remember your cues or lines, I can help out. How’s that sound … 
co-stars
?”
    He’s going to be onstage at all times? Doesn’t that make
him
the star? That can’t be right.
I’m
the star.
    I raise my hand.
    “Ah! We have a question,” Josh says with a smirk. “What is it, Ferret Girl?”
    The class explodes in laughter.
    “I’m
Zaritza
, remember?” I say, but my stupid classmates are too loud.
    Someone starts chanting, “Ferret Girl! Ferret Girl! Ferret Girl!”
    Oh, no! It’s becoming a thing! I must stop it!
    “Ha!” Josh says. “Ferret Girl has a following!”
    No! It’s like a nickname. Ferret Girl—with capital letters.
    The chanting continues: “Ferret Girl! Ferret Girl! Ferret Girl!”
    My homework ate my name.

We follow Josh and Hannah to the cafeteria. The tables are all folded up and rolled away. Some of the boys in my class take advantage of all the space and start racing around, acting like apes, as boys often do.
    Josh steps up onto the stage, which is only about a foot off the floor, and says in a commanding voice, “Attention, company!”
    Good projection. He must be an actor. I like that he calls us “company.” Very professional.
    “I need everyone’s attention and concentration at all times. If I do not have your attentionand concentration at all times, I will send you back to your classroom.”
    The ape-boys deflate like leaky balloons.
    “And remember: always walk when you are in this room, unless you are onstage, of course, and I tell you to do otherwise. Anyone who runs will be sent back to the classroom. Understood?”
    Everyone nods.
    “When I say ‘Understood?’ I want you to answer, ‘Understood!’ Understood?”
    “Understood!” we all say.
    “Good. Now when I say ‘Action,’ I want you all to stand up and walk to the back of the room. I want you to walk as if you are crossing deep, wet sand. Your feet should sink in with each step. Show me how well you can pretend. Ready? Action!”
    I glance around and see some of the kids