Wayside School Is Falling Down (Wayside School 2)

“You want to walk up the stairs with us, Dojo?” asked Dameon.

D.J. shook his head. “I need to be alone,” he mumbled.

Dameon and Myron looked at each other, then started up the stairs, leaving their sad friend behind.

D.J. headed on up, but stopped halfway between the ninth and tenth floors and sat down. He lowered his face into his hands and cried.

A moment later someone burst out laughing.

D.J. opened his eyes and saw Kathy standing over him.

“You shouldn’t sit on the stairs, Dumb Jerk!” said Kathy with glee. “I almost kicked you in the head.”

Kathy always called D.J. “Dumb Jerk.”

She didn’t like D.J. because he was always smiling. Now she was glad to see him so sad.

“Hi, Kathy,” said D.J.

She plopped down on the stair next to him. “What happened?” she asked. “Did your dog die?” She laughed.

D.J. shook his head.

“Are your parents getting divorced?” she asked hopefully. “Did your house burn down?”

“No,” said D.J. “My great-grandfather gave me a gold watch. It was over a hundred years old. I brought it to school today and—”

“You lost it!” Kathy exclaimed with delight.

D.J. sadly nodded.

Kathy laughed. “Oh boy, are you going to get in trouble!” She rubbed her hands together. “Your parents will ground you forever!”

“No, my parents never punish me,” said D.J. “They know I learn from my mistakes.”

“Oh,” said Kathy, a little disappointed. “But your great-grandfather will hate you!” she said. “And he’ll never give you another present for the rest of your life. Not even for your birthday!”

“No, he loves me no matter what I do,” said D.J. “He likes people, not things.”

Again Kathy was disappointed. “But the watch was worth a lot of money,” she tried. “And you’ll have to pay for it out of your allowance.” She laughed triumphantly, sure she had gotten him this time.

“I don’t get an allowance,” said D.J. “I don’t like money.”

Kathy frowned. Still, she knew there had to be some reason why he was sad about losing the watch. “You’ll never know what time it is!” she squawked.

“So?” asked D.J. “Time isn’t real.”

Kathy didn’t know what D.J. meant by that, but she didn’t care. “Well, if you don’t know what time it is,” she told him, “you’ll miss all your favorite television shows.”

“I don’t have a favorite television show,” said D.J. “I never watch television.” He thought a moment. “I’m not sure if we have a TV in our house or not. Maybe there’s one in a closet somewhere.”

Kathy glared at him. “Well, then how come you’re so sad you lost that dum

b watch?” she demanded.

“I’m afraid a bird might think it’s food and choke on it,” said D.J.

“Is that all?” shrieked Kathy.