Derek was trapped, and he knew it. He’d said he would help Sam study. Then he’d forgotten all about it!

Well, what could he say now? He was going to be spending that afternoon studying anyway. And Sam lived just two buildings over in Mount Royal Townhouses.

Derek knew his parents wouldn’t object. Sam and Derek had known each other for years, and their parents often stopped for a friendly chat in the parking lot. But he also knew that it would take way more time to wade through the work with Sam around.

On the other hand, Sam needed his help, and he’d already offered to give it.

“Um, I guess you could come over for a while.”

“Thanks!” Sam said, clapping him on the shoulder. He walked off down the hall, and Derek stared after him, shaking his head.

So now he was going to help Sam do well on the tests. So that Sam’s mom would let him play basketball for the under-12 team. At point guard—the very position Derek was aiming for! If Sam made the team at point guard, it would probably mean there was no spot for Derek. And, as Derek well knew, Sam was a real sharpshooter from long range. His own shot was pretty good, but not that good.

He needed to work on his shot this week! His dad had promised him and Dave two hours, but that wasn’t going to be nearly enough!

“Hey, Jeter—what are you staring at?” Gary stood at Derek’s shoulder, following his gaze and spotting Sam bouncing happily down the hall. “So. You and ‘Rockhead’ are new best buds, huh? A little birdie told me you two are going to be studying together. It can’t be true, can it? Please—say it isn’t so, Jeter!”

“You’re unbelievable, Parnell,” Derek said, shaking his head in wonder. “What do you care who I study with?”

Gary shrugged. “Whoa. Touchy, aren’t we? Well, suit yourself, big man. Happy studying.”

“I suppose you study alone, huh?”

Gary snorted. “Me? I ripped through that stupid review booklet in twenty minutes, then tossed it in the newspaper recycling. Jar-El and I had a date with destiny.”

“Huh. Interesting. Not getting too overconfident, are you, Gar? You might wind up sorry you tossed that booklet, my man.”

“Not a chance,” Gary said, chuckling. “You two can study up the wazoo from now till test time, but Sam’s still going to fail. As for you, you’ll probably pass—but as for beating my score? Dream on, Jeter. I’m going to wipe the floor with you—in math and English.”

Derek was about to argue some more, but the two-minute bell rang, and they both had to scurry to get to class on time.