Alone in His Teacher's House (Marvin Redpost 4)

“Ma?” she said, looking at Marvin’s paper.

“Um, may I have more time?” he asked.

“I want Mrs. North to see this,” said Miss Hillway, snapping up his paper.

At recess, Marvin walked off by himself.

Judy Jasper and Casey Happleton came running up to him.

“Hey, Marvin!” said Judy, out of breath. “What are you eating under there?”

“What?” he said.

“What are you eating under there?” asked Casey.

He didn’t know what they were talking about. “Under where?” he asked.

The two girls roared with laughter. “You’re eating your underwear!” exclaimed Judy.

“You said you were eating your underwear,” Casey explained.

“Leave me alone,” said Marvin, walking away.

“It’s just a joke!” said Casey. “What a crab!”

“Oh, there’s Justin,” said Judy. “Hey, Justin! What are you eating under there?”

“Under where?” asked Justin.

After school, it felt strange not to have to go to Mrs. North’s house. Marvin felt empty.

“Are you okay?” Patsy Gatsby asked him.

He shrugged.

“Oh, he thinks he’s better than everyone,” said Stuart, coming up behind them. Nick was with Stuart.

“Shut up!” said Marvin.

“I don’t have to!” said Nick.

Marvin glared at Nick. “Waldo’s dead,” he said. “Are you happy now?”

Nick’s mouth dropped open.

“What happened?” asked Patsy.

Marvin told them how Waldo wouldn’t eat. And about the liver. And then what he found this morning.

“Promise you won’t tell anyone, okay?” he asked.

They promised.

“Oh, man,” said Nick. “You are the unluckiest kid in the whole world.”

Chapter 11

Waiting