“Um, it’s going to have to wait, Vij. I’m practicing basketball with Dave and my dad the next two days. It’s the only time my dad can coach us.”

“Oh.” Vijay looked crestfallen. “But I thought after the tests, you—”

“Yeah, but… it winds up there’s a second round of tryouts. Don’t worry, though. It’s over on Saturday, for keeps. Either I make the team or I don’t—and even if I do, they only play on weekends, so it won’t interfere.”

Vijay sighed. “I guess it will be okay. We made good progress today in just one hour—so maybe that’s how it will be next time too. I hope so.”

They exchanged handshakes, and Vijay picked up his book bag. “Oh, by the way—who did you get to dance the part of the monster?”

Derek felt his stomach drop. Oops.

“It’s… a surprise—I’ll tell you tomorrow. But I think you’ll be pleased.”

“Like with the song, huh? Cool,” said Vijay, and headed out the door. “I love surprises. See you in class tomorrow!”

Derek slumped into a chair. Boy, he sure hoped he beat Gary out on the tests. If not, there was no plan B.

And what would he tell Vijay then?

“Class—thanks to Scantron technology, we have your practice test results back already!”

A rumble of anxious conversation arose from the room. Ms. Terrapin clapped her hands for quiet. “You can feel free to share your scores with one another, or not. However, there are three of you with whom I will speak privately after class, about getting extra help after school between now and the real tests next spring.”

Derek looked over at Sam, whose head was hanging down and shaking slowly from side to side.

Ms. Terrapin walked slowly up and down the aisles, placing a single folded sheet of paper on each student’s desk. Derek held his breath as she placed his sheet in front of him. He tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry.

He unfolded the paper slowly and peeked inside. There were three grades:

English: 675

Math: 724

Total: 1399

Derek took in a deep breath, his eyes wide. A 1399! That was much higher than he’d imagined he’d get! It made him think he had a real chance of beating out Gary’s score.

Speaking of Gary, here he was now, leaning over Derek’s shoulder. “Well?” he asked.

“You first,” Derek said, trying again to swallow, with the same result.

“Read it and weep, Je-Ter.” He dangled his paper for Derek to read.

Derek gasped in happy surprise. Gary’s grades were:

English: 692

Math: 706

Total: 1398

“I win!” Derek cried, getting up and thrusting both arms in the air. “Check it out, Par-Nell! 1399!”

Gary stared at Derek’s grades, dumbfounded. “This has got to be a misprint,” he said, shaking his head. “There’s no way! It can’t be right!”