My Weirdest School #2 Read Free

whined Andrea. “I would make a great anchor.”
    â€œYou would not,” I said.
    â€œWould too,” said Andrea.
    â€œNot!”
    â€œToo!”
    We went back and forth like that for a while.
    â€œThe TV station was A.J.’s idea,” said Mr. Cooper. “That’s why he gets to be the anchor.”
    I stuck my tongue out at Andrea. Nah-nah-nah boo-boo on her.
    â€œI’m going to be the best anchor in the history of anchors,” I announced.
    â€œWell, let’s not go overboard, A.J.,” said Mr. Cooper.
    Why is everybody always talking about being thrown out of boats?
    Ms. Cuddy took us to the conference room, where those men with overalls were hammering and sawing and building the scenery for our morning announcements.There was a flat-screen TV on the wall. The conference room was starting to look like a real TV studio.
    Ms. Cuddy told us that somebody would have to operate the camera. Michael volunteered. Alexia asked if she could be the director. Andrea said she would write the scripts. The person in charge of the lightsis called the gaffer, and Ryan got that job. Neil said he would handle the microphones, props, and other stuff. Emily said she would take care of makeup. Ms. Cuddy showed us how to work all the equipment.

    â€œTomorrow morning,” she said, “we’re going to make history!”

We got to school early the next day so we would be ready to do the morning announcements. The conference room looked just like a real TV studio. Ms. Cuddy gave me a fancy jacket and tie to wear so I would look like an anchorman.
    Michael, Ryan, and Neil ran aroundmaking sure the equipment was working. Andrea handed me the script she had written.
    â€œTwo minutes to airtime!” shouted Alexia, our director.
    Ms. Cuddy gathered us all around.
    â€œOkay, this is it, guys,” she said. “Our first broadcast. Are you ready to make history?”
    â€œYeah!” we all replied.
    â€œI can’t hear you!” said Ms. Cuddy.
    â€œYEAH!” we all replied.
    I sat behind the desk and adjusted the mic. Emily ran over and stuck some furry brush in my face.
    â€œHey, knock it off!” I told her.

    â€œI need to powder your nose,” she said. “It’s shiny!”
    â€œI don’t care,” I said. “Leave my nose alone! Get out of here!”
    Emily started crying and ran out of theconference room. What a crybaby.
    â€œOne minute!” said Alexia.
    There was electricity in the air. Well, not really. If there was electricity in the air, we would get electrocuted.
    As I stared at the camera, I felt myself starting to sweat. Every kid in the school would be watching me. My parents would be watching at home. A bunch of strangers would be watching too.
    Why had I agreed to do this? I wished we had spent the million dollars on pizza and ice cream and candy. I wanted to run away to Antarctica and go live with the penguins.
    â€œAre you nervous, A.J.?” asked Ms. Cuddy.
    â€œYeah,” I said. “I think I might throw up.”
    â€œGood,” she replied. “That means you’re excited. Remember to speak slowly and clearly.”
    â€œThree . . . two . . . one . . . ,” said Alexia.
    A little red light lit up on top of the camera. I took a deep breath.
    â€œAction!” said Alexia.
    â€œMy name is A.J. and here are the morning announcements for Ella Mentry School,” I said. “Today is Thursday. The weather outside is cloudy and cold. Today’s lunch will be chicken nuggets. We have one birthday. Rocco Garcia in fourth grade turns ten years old today. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.”

    Outside the conference room, I could hear lots of kids reciting the pledge.
    â€œThank you,” I said when they were done. “This is A.J., signing off. Have a great Thursday!”
    â€œAnd . . . cut !” shouted Alexia.
    The red light on top of the camera went off. Everybody started