Fiddlesticks Read Free Page B

think about his work. He couldn’t think about his violin lesson. And he couldn’t think about something else. Trying out for soccer!

    After school, Shawn’s violin teacher greeted him. “How’s it going, Shawn?” asked Mr. Jones.
    â€œI have big surprise,” Shawn said.
    Mr. Jones’s eyes lit up. “What’s the surprise?”
    â€œI learn all songs for you,” Shawn said.
    He tucked his violin under his chin and began to play.
    Mr. Jones closed his eyes. He swayed to the music. Sometimes he stopped to point out soft and loud parts.
    When Shawn finished, Mr. Jones smiled. “What a wonderful surprise. Youare an excellent violin player.”
    Shawn bowed low. He wanted to bow—even in America.
    After his lesson, Shawn hurried to the soccer field. He looked for Jason and Eric. They were nowhere in sight. Ronnie Kitch was. Right in the middle of everything.
    Quickly, Shawn turned away. He gripped his violin case and remembered what Ronny had said. Better watch your violin.
    â€œNo soccer for me,” Shawn said out loud.
    â€œWhy not?” a voice called.
    Shawn spun around.
    It was Jason Birchall.
    â€œHi,” Shawn said. He was glad to see his friend.
    â€œYou’re staying, aren’t you?” Jason asked.
    â€œWell . . . uh . . .” Shawn looked down at his violin. He wanted to stay and play soccer. He really did. But he didn’t wantto lose his violin. His wonderful, beautiful instrument. Ronny might steal it out from under his nose!
    Just then, Coach spotted Shawn. “Welcome!” he called and kicked a ball to him.
    Shawn stopped the ball with his foot. But he held on to his violin case.
    â€œCome on!” hollered Jason. He was already running down the field.
    So was Coach.
    Shawn dribbled around the edge of the field. Far away from Ronny. His violin was safe with him.
    He punted back and forth with Jason. Then he rocketed the ball toward the goal.
    â€œHey, good stuff!” hollered Jason.
    Now Eric was there, too. “Glad you showed up,” he said. Then he stared at the violin. “Why are you carrying your instrument around?”
    Shawn ran to get the ball.
    Jason called to him, “It’s not a goodidea. Your violin might get crunched.”
    Shawn thought about it. He loved his violin. He was good at it. The music made him feel terrific.
    â€œI keep violin with me,” Shawn said. He held up the case and grinned. “I run with music.”
    Suddenly, Ronnie was coming at him.
    Fast!
    Shawn didn’t have time to protect his violin.
    He closed his eyes and prayed.
    His violin was about to be history.
    So was he!

NINE
    Sa-whoosh! Ronny flew past Shawn.
    â€œFiddlesticks!” Ronny whispered into the wind.
    Shawn heard the nickname. He almost dropped his violin case. He gripped harder.
    Seconds later, Ronnie turned around. He charged at Shawn again. “Fiddlesticks never play soccer!” he hissed.
    Shawn wanted to bop him. Flatten him good!
    But the nickname mixed him up. Hecouldn’t remember what to do with his feet.
    His ball spun away. It was loose at midfield.
    Ronny laughed. “Fiddlesticks boy!”
    Shawn was still carrying his violin. He looked down. He thought, This case very hard. Make good head hopper.
    He scanned the field. The coach was at the other end—out of sight. He would never see Ronny getting bopped!
    Shawn raised his violin case. His heart thumped.
    â€œDon’t!” yelled Eric from the goal.
    Ronny punted a ball off his head. “You’ll be sorry if you hit me!” he shouted at Shawn.
    Ka-boink! Ronny’s ball bounced off Shawn’s violin case. On purpose.
    Shawn saw Eric dashing toward him. “Don’t fight back!” Eric yelled. “Remember the Golden Rule.”
    Just then, Coach came running. Henabbed Ronny. He lugged him right off the field.
    Ronny roared and ranted.
    Jason laughed. “What a big baby!”
    Shawn agreed,