Wayside School Is Falling Down (Wayside School 2)

“Velcome!” said Mrs. Waloosh, a strange-looking woman with bright red hair. It looked like her head was on fire. “My name eez Meez Valoosh. It’s so vonderful to be here at Vayside School.”

She wore pink tights and a sparkling pink top. “I hope ve vill be friends, yes?” she asked.

Nobody said a word.

All around were red and green balls. There was also one yellow ball. This was the room where Louis kept the balls for lunch and recess. It was also the room that was always used for school dances. It was the ballroom.

“So!” exclaimed Mrs. Waloosh. “Who vill be first?”

Everyone tried to hide behind someone else.

Mrs. Waloosh put her hands on Ron’s face. “Vhat eez your name?” she asked.

“Ron,” he squeaked.

“RONALDO!” bellowed Mrs. Waloosh. “King of the Gypsies!”

“I don’t know how to dance,” said Ron.

“Dahnce?” asked Mrs. Waloosh. She looked very surprised. “Ve are not going to dahnce,” she said.

“We’re not?” asked Ron.

“No, Ronaldo,” whispered Mrs. Waloosh. “Ve are going to tango!”

She put her left arm around Ron’s waist. Then she grabbed his left hand with her right and stuck it way out in front of them. Suddenly the music started.

Mrs. Waloosh dragged poor Ron across the room as she stomped her feet in time to the music.

Domp. Domp-domp. Domp-domp. Da-da-domp. Domp! Domp! Domp! Domp! Domp-domp-domp-domp-domp, “HEY!”

When she yelled “HEY!” she threw Ron up in the air and clapped her hands. Ron turned a somersault in midair; then Mrs. Waloosh caught him. They tangoed back to where they started. Ron’s eyes were spinning in opposite directions.

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“Hey, that looked like fun,” said Maurecia. “Do me.”

“Very vell,” said Mrs. Waloosh. She grabbed Maurecia and tangoed with her across the room. Domp. Domp-domp. Domp-domp. Da-da-domp. Domp! Domp! Domp! Domp! Domp-domp-domp-domp-domp, “HEY!” She threw Maurecia up in the air and clapped her hands.

Maurecia turned a double somersault before Mrs. Waloosh caught her. They tangoed back to the front.

“My turn,” said Terrance.

As Mrs. Waloosh tangoed

with Terrence, the other kids stamped their feet along with Mrs. Waloosh. They all yelled “HEY!” at the same time and clapped their hands.

One by one, Mrs. Waloosh tangoed with every kid in the class. The other kids danced with each other. Boys danced with girls, and girls danced with boys. They didn’t care. Paul danced with Leslie. Dana danced with John. Terrence danced with Rondi. Allison danced with Jason. D.J. danced with Kathy. Todd danced with Joy.

“HEY!” they all shouted together.

Of course, they weren’t strong enough to throw each other up in the air. Instead, they tried to trip each other and throw each other to the ground. “HEY!”

Even Kathy was having fun. “HEY!” she shouted as she kicked D.J. in the rear end.

They also threw the balls at each other. “HEY!”