Thunder on the Plains Read Free

I’ve seen in a long time. It shows advanced computer skills along with criticalthinking skills. Daniel will receive an A+ on this assignment.”
    The principal stared at my teacher for a long minute. Then he rolled his eyes back in his head.
    â€œAll right,” Rippleton said. I could tell he was disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to punish me again.
    â€œYou’ve slipped through my fingers this time, young man. But remember, you’re on my most wanted list. I’m watching you. Everyone back to class.” He stomped into his office and slammed the door.
    â€œYou owe me,” Mr. Saunders said before he left the office. “I’ll let you know just how you’re going to pay that debt.”
    I breathed a huge sigh of relief and wiped my sweaty palms on the sides of my jeans. I followed Mr. Saunders out the door.
    I didn’t know how I was going to make it to the end of the week. It was only Tuesday.

Chapter 3
The Bully Brigade
    I was surprised at just how smoothly the rest of the week went. To pay him back, Mr. Saunders kept me busy in the computer lab. I had to clean computer screens, polish scanner glass, and change ink cartridges every day.
    I found out why I hadn’t seen Willy, too. He got sick over the weekend and missed three days of school. He was back on Thursday but was still too weak to mess with anybody.
    But now it was Friday. I got word from Jesse that Willy was feeling more like his old self. Isn’t that nice for Willy, I thought. I turned my Willy radar back on and managed to steer clear of the bully all morning.
    At noon I was rounding the corner on the way to the cafeteria when I ran straight into Willy and his “goon squad.” My luck had just run out.
    â€œWatch where you’re going, Tonto,” Willy said. He pushed me to the floor like I was a stack of straw. My books scattered everywhere. Willy and his friends laughed like fiends. I tried to ignore them and just began picking up my books and papers.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, redskin?” Willy taunted. “Leave your tomahawk back in the tipi?” Then he made Hollywood Indian war- whooping noises while his goons did the Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop. That did it.
    I lunged into Willy, managing to land a hard right to his nose. We tumbled onto the floor. Willy’s gang jumped on me. They landed several punches of their own.
    Two nearby teachers broke up the fight almost as fast as it had started. But not before Willy and I each got a bloody nose and a black eye.
    Of course, we were dragged into the principal’s office yet another time. Mr. Rippleton was the judge and jury when it came to school rules. The school nurse cleaned up our bloodied faces while the principal pacedback and forth in front of us. I dared not move a muscle.
    â€œI’m calling both of your parents, you know,” he said.
    Willy and I spoke up at the same time. I blamed him. He blamed me.
    â€œFrankly, I don’t care who started the fight, gentlemen,” the principal said. “I won’t tolerate fighting in this school.” He looked at Willy.
    â€œI’ve come to expect this kind of brutish behavior from you, Mr. Phillips. It just seems to be part of your nature.”
    Then he walked over and stood looking down at me.
    â€œBut I’m disappointed in
you,
Mr. Wind. I thought those sessions we had with the counselor and your parents would have made a difference by now.”
    He began pacing again.
    â€œI’m going to suspend both of you for three days. That’ll give you and your parents plenty of time to consider the seriousness of the situation.” He turned to the school secretary.
    â€œGet their parents on the phone,” he told her. “I want to give them this news personally!” He entered his office and closed the door behind him.
    It was Bill who showed up to take me home. I knew there would be a lecture, followed by a serious grounding. What