Locker 13 by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

bad.”
    â€œWow,” I muttered. “Bad news.”
    â€œEspecially since I have a basketball game tomorrow,” Hannah sighed.
    â€œThink you’ll be able to play?” I asked.
    â€œMaybe,” she said glumly.
    â€œMaybe I’ll come watch your game,” I said.
    There was a long silence. And then Hannah said, “Luke, there’s something … something I have to tell you.”
    â€œExcuse me?” I said. She was whispering, so low I could barely hear her.
    â€œI really should tell you something. But …”
    I pressed the phone tighter to my ear. “What? What is it?”
    â€œWell …”
    Another long silence.
    â€œI can’t,” she said finally. I heard a click, and the line went silent.
    The next morning my good luck came to an end.

 

    At least, I thought my good luck had ended.
    When I arrived at my science class, I searched my backpack for the homework questions. Not there. I took everything out—every paper, every book, every pencil.
    Not there. I had spent over an hour on that assignment last night. And I’d left it at home.
    Now I was in major trouble. Miss Creamer didn’t accept late homework. And homework counted for fifty percent of the grade in her class.
    My stomach tightened with dread as she entered the science lab to begin class.
    How could I be so stupid?
    â€œGood morning, everyone,” she began. “I have an announcement to make. It’s about last night’s homework.”
    The room grew silent.
    â€œI have to apologize to all of you,” Miss Creamer continued. “I gave the wrong assignment. Those weren’t the right questions. I’m really sorry. You don’t have to turn it in. Just tear it up and throw it away.”
    Cheers rang out. Some kids gleefully ripped their papers into shreds. A big celebration.
    Yes! More good luck for me, I thought happily.
    I was on a hot streak. Later, when Miss Creamer handed back last week’s test, I had the only A in the class.
    In the lunchroom I grabbed the last slice of pizza on the counter!
    All the kids behind me in line groaned. Darnell came up and offered to pay me five dollars for it. But no deal.
    After school I stopped by the computer lab to see Mrs. Coffey. She told me her plans had suddenly changed. She wouldn’t be leaving school for another two weeks.
    I cheered. That meant I had time to finish my computer animation project and show it to her before I left.
    â€œLuke, I was talking about you to my friend who owns Linkups. You know—the computer store on Highlands? I told him about how you can do anything with computers, fix them, upgrade them. He said you might be able to come into the store on Saturdays and help out in the service department.”
    I gasped. “Really?”
    She nodded. “He’s a really nice guy, and he’s always looking for people who can fix machines. He said he couldn’t give you a real job since you’re only twelve. But he could pay you five dollars an hour.”
    â€œWow! I cried. “That’s awesome! Thanks, Mrs. Coffey.”
    I practically flew down the stairs to the gym. I wanted to flap my arms and take off! So many great things were happening to me! I couldn’t believe it!
    Hannah’s basketball game had already started when I stepped into the gym. I found a seat in the bleachers and glanced up at the scoreboard. The Squirettes were already losing ten to two.
    What’s going on? I wondered. How can Hannah’s team be losing so badly? The team they were playing—the Bee Stingers from Elwood Middle School—were the worst team in the city!
    I turned and glanced around the bleachers. There were only about twenty kids watching the game. And four or five parents, clustered together at the top of the bleachers.
    â€œGo, Sharon!” one of the mothers yelled.
    But the gym was pretty quiet. I guess because the Squirettes were playing so badly.
    I