Wayside School Is Falling Down (Wayside School 2)

Myron shrugged.

D.J. smiled.

“Some friends you are!” said Dameon. “I’ll show you!”

After lunch he was the first one back in class. He carried Joy’s paper sack.

“Hello, Dameon,” said Mrs. Jewls. “Did you have a nice lunch?”

“It was all right,” he muttered.

“Oh, would you mind getting the construction paper from the closet and putting it on my desk?” asked Mrs. Jewls. “Thank you.”

Dameon went to the closet and got the construction paper. He put it on her desk. Then, when she wasn’t looking he opened her desk drawer and dumped the dead rat into it. He shut the drawer.

“Thank you, Dameon,” said Mrs. Jewls. “You’re always so helpful. It’s such a pleasure to have you in my class.”

Dameon felt awful.

Mrs. Jewls read a story to the class.

Dameon couldn’t pay attention. He kept wondering when she’d open her drawer.

After the story they had art. Everyone was supposed to make snowflakes.

Dameon folded his piece of construction paper in half.

Mrs. Jewls screamed.

“What’s wrong, Mrs. Jewls?” asked Joy.

“Somebody put a dead rat in my desk,” said Mrs. Jewls.

“I did!” declared Dameon.

“Dameon?” Mrs. Jewls said with great surprise. “Why?”

“Because I hate you!” said Dameon. “You’re always making me do things for you.”

“Oh, I see,” said Mrs. Jewls.

“Should I write my name on the board under DISCIPLINE?” he asked.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” said Mrs. Jewls.

That made him feel even worse. Why did I have to prove myself to Joy? he wondered. I don’t like Joy. I like Mrs. Jewls. He felt rotten.

When the bell rang, Dameon waited for all the other kids to leave. Then he walked to Mrs. Jewls’s desk.

She was grading papers. “Yes, Dameon?”

“Do you want me to erase the board for you?” he asked.

“That’s all right,” said Mrs. Jewls. “I’ll do it myself.”

Dameon sadly walked out of the room and down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he turned and ran all the way back up to Mrs. Jewls’s room.

She was just putting on her coat.