Frog Freakout Read Free Page A

leap. Actually, toads aren’t eventhat good at hopping . . . they mostly crawl about. They’re not half as energetic as frogs. They’re easy to catch.”
    â€œOh, here we go,” muttered Danny. “Nerd attack. Come ON, you two!”
    â€œWait! I want to see another frog leap!” said Charlie, crouching next to Josh. She anchored her hands on the bank and leaned right out across the water, fascinated. There was a plop. But it wasn’t a frog. It was the key to the confiscation cupboard.
    Josh and Charlie squeaked in horror and tried to grab it as it sank through the water, but it was gone in a second, lost in the dark depths.

    â€œNoooo!” gasped Charlie and shoved her arm in after it, scrabbling around frantically. Josh joined her, but all they succeeded in doing was stirring up all the silt and weeds, making it impossible to see a thing. They couldn’t feel anything keylike—just the rather slippery gooeyness of waterweed, algae, and the odd squirm of something living.
    Eventually, as Danny looked on in horror, they slumped down on the bank and stared at each other, aghast. “We’re done for,” said Josh. “We can’t get the games back in the cupboard or the key back on the hook. And Drill Sergeant could wake up at any minute!”
    Charlie sighed and shook her head. “No . . . you’re not done for. It was me who did it . . . me who lost the key . . . you two go back to bed, and I’ll own up.”
    â€œBut you’ll be sent home!” said Danny. “That’s what they said after the hair thing. One more strike and you’re out!”
    â€œAh well,” shrugged Charlie. “It’s been fun. But unless one of us turns into a frog and goes diving for the key, that’s that. I’ll be OK. Momwas hoping I’d last the full ten days . . . “ She bit her lip. “. . . but I’m always disappointing her, so it won’t be a surprise. Why are you two looking all funny?”
    Josh was staring at Danny and Danny was staring right back and now he started shaking his head. “You’ve got to be kidding!” he said. “You have GOT to be kidding!”
    Josh looked at his watch. “We’ve got half an hour if we’re lucky,” he said.
    â€œWhat are you two on about?” said Charlie, peeling some pondweed off her arm.
    â€œErm . . . we might be able to help,” said Josh, detaching a water snail from his wrist.
    â€œJosh! NO!” hissed Danny. “You can’t!”
    â€œLook—she’s not just any girl,” said Josh. “She’ll handle it!”
    â€œHandle what?” said Charlie, looking very puzzled.
    â€œCharlie—you said one of us needed to turn into a frog,” said Josh. “Well . . . one of us can.”
    â€œOK,” said Charlie. “If you say so.”
    â€œI’m going to tell her,” Josh said to Danny, who slapped his hand across his eyes and groaned. “Listen, Charlie—don’t interrupt, there’s no time. We CAN turn into frogs—and we’re going to do it just as soon as we’ve woken Petty Potts up.”

“Which one of you is S.W.I.T.C.H.ing?” Petty eyed all three of them eagerly as they stood beside the pond. She was also wearing pajamas (thick plaid ones) with rain boots and her dark red raincoat, which she now opened up, revealing the four S.W.I.T.C.H. spray bottles held in its lining. “Frog, toad, or newt?” she added, like a mad waiter presenting a menu.
    â€œFrog! Frog!” Charlie jumped up and down in immense excitement, clapping her hands. “Oh, I can’t believe this! It’s so amazing!”
    â€œWait—you’re not going!” said Josh. “I am! It’s far too dangerous for a g—for a beginner.”
    Charlie narrowed her eyes at him. “You meant ‘for a girl’! That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t