Underdog

Underdog Read Free

Book: Underdog Read Free
Author: Eric Walters
Tags: JUV000000
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followed me into the house. I kicked off my shoes and he did the same. I led him down the hall and into the kitchen. Kia andMark were already sitting at the table, a partially drunk glass of milk and an empty muffin wrapper in front of each of them. They were already working on seconds.
    â€œAre there any left, you pigs?” I asked.
    Kia started oinking and Mark chuckled.
    â€œDon’t worry, I baked three dozen,” my mother said. Her back was to us.
    â€œMom, I’d like you to meet somebody,” I said.
    She turned around and gave Ashton a big smile.
    â€œMom, this is Ashton.”
    He rushed over and held out his hand to shake. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
    â€œYou have wonderful manners,” my mother said, and I thought how he didn’t greet any of us that way.
    â€œThank you, ma’am,” he said. “My mother always insists that me and my brothers formally address adults.”
    â€œNow, you and Nick wash your hands and I’ll have a nice big glass of milk and a muffin—”
    â€œ
A
muffin?” I asked, cutting her off.
    â€œOkay, a few muffins waiting for you.”
    I hurried over to the kitchen sink with Ashton in tow.
    â€œThose muffins really smell fantastic, ma’am,” he said as he began to wash his hands.
    â€œThank you. And they taste even better than they smell. Right, Kia…right, Mark?”
    They both mumbled out agreement through a mouthful of muffin.
    â€œSo, Ashton, do you go to school with Kia and Nick?” my mother asked.
    â€œNo, ma’am. I go to Brookmeade.”
    â€œBrookmeade? That’s not even close to here,” she said.
    â€œIt’s no farther than Mark’s school,” I said. Kia and I went to the same school, but Mark’s school was halfway across the city.
    â€œIf you don’t go to school together, how did you get to know these kids?” she asked.
    â€œPlaying basketball,” I said, answering for him. “You know how it is. Every kid who plays ball is a friend with every other kid.” For some reason I didn’t want her to know that we’d just met twenty minutes ago.
    â€œI see,” she said. She had that look like she was getting ready to think of her next question.It wasn’t that my mom was nosy, but she was a reporter for the local paper and liked asking questions. Actually, come to think of it, she was a reporter, but she also was sort of nosy. She always knew everybody and everything about their lives.
    â€œAnd you should see Ashton play,” Kia added.
    â€œHe’s got incredible ball skills,” I agreed.
    â€œBetter than you three?” my mother asked.
    â€œHe’s got some great moves,” I said.
    â€œThen maybe he should try out for your team,” she suggested.
    â€œHe’s too old,” I said.
    â€œToo old?” my mother questioned. “But doesn’t Brookmeade only go to grade five?”
    â€œYeah,” Ashton said. “I’m in grade five.”
    â€œYou are?” I asked in astonishment. “Are you supposed to be in grade five?”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?” he asked. He sounded irritated.
    â€œIt’s just that you’re pretty big,” I said. “I just thought that because you’re so big that maybe…maybe… ”
    â€œThat maybe I failed a grade?” he asked.
    I nodded.
    â€œI’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” he said. “I’ve never failed anything in school, ever.”
    â€œI didn’t mean anything bad,” I said. “It’s just that you’re bigger than anybody in our whole school who’s in grade five.”
    â€œWhat grade are you three in?”
    â€œWe’re all in grade five,” Kia said.
    â€œAnd you’re all supposed to be in grade five?” he asked.
    â€œOf course we’re supposed to be in grade five,” she answered.
    â€œThen you’re all in

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