Monday morning came too fast like it always does. Kat dragged herself out of bed, careful to keep an eye out for Princess Puffball. Sunday morning she had actually wanted Kat to pet her. It was strange and Kat felt like the enemy was trying to trick her.
When she arrived at school, she found Ms. Ululani fighting with Principal Benbrook again.
“Eugene, I did not move across an ocean and work in thirteen different states to work like this,” she said.
“No paint,” Principal Benbrook said matter of factly.
Kat walked by, making sure that Principal Benbrook didn’t notice her. She was already banned in the library. She didn’t need to be banned from the hallway too.
As she walked down the work covered hallways, Kat hoped that Bob was still there. It was his fault after that she got into trouble. Who thought that eight little legs would cause such a problem?
Kat was stopped before she even went into the classroom. Outside the door were a line of about twenty students. They stood trying to look over each others’ heads. At the front of the line, talking to each person was Lily. She was wearing a homemade t-shirt that said ‘Save Bob’ across the front.
Monday mornings are always difficult in elementary school. Two days away from the rules of teachers and all the training was erased. It seemed like this morning was exactly the same.
Kat looked at the clock in the hallway and watched the second hand tick closer and closer to the second bell. If Bob’s fans didn’t leave soon, they would be counted late for school.
A wide variety of students waited by the door. Kat saw second graders, third graders, and even some sixth graders in line. At the very front was Jacob’s little sister. She was getting into it with Lily.
“I’ve already answered your question Sophie,” Lily complained.
“But I got back in line and waited,” Sophie protested. She was trying to use her big puppy dog eyes to convince Lily, but it wasn’t working.
“I have other customers,” Lily said. She wouldn’t budge. Not even for a girl scout.
“But I need to take a picture of him! I need it for my nature badge!”
Sophie held her camera tightly in her hands. It was her mother’s and she knew she was only allowed to take one picture. If she didn’t get Bob’s photo today, then her mom would take the camera back.
Lily narrowed her eyes and thought.
“Fine,” she finally said allowing Sophie into the room. All the children stared in awe as she walked through the door.
“Can I touch him,” the next girl in line asked.
“No,” Lily said sharply. “Next!”
The little girl walked away with her shoulders slumped forward.
Kat side stepped the Bob fan club and headed for the door. A first grader stopped her near the front of the line.
“Hey! No cutting!” he said with his arm out.
“This is my class,” Kat said to the mini bouncer. “I’m trying to learn.”
“She’s alright Frankie,” Lily called out. “Let her pass.”
The first grader eyed Kat suspiciously, but put his arm down. Kat laughed at the first grader and walked up to Lily in the doorway.
“What is going on,” Kat asked Lily.
Lily smiled proudly. “Can’t you see we’re famous Kat? And I didn’t even have to publish my book!”
“But what are you doing?” Kat asked.
The line of students was getting longer again and school started any second.
“I’m the expert in class since this weekend. Didn’t you do any research?” Lily asked.
Kat looked to the floor. “I, uh.”
“Honestly Kat?” Lily demanded.
Kat had spent the weekend watching old kung fu movies with Uncle Chad while her dad worked. They talked a little bit about Bob and ‘The Rules’. Kat was just thankful for some time that was happy again.
“I found out that their legs grow back if they get pulled off,” Kat offered.
Lily huffed and rolled her eyes.
“Here,” she said handing a rolled piece of cloth to Kat. “I thought you’d be ready to save his life. You better be worthy of this!”
Kat walked into the classroom completely confused about what just happened. Kat unrolled the cloth and realized it was a t-shirt just like Lily’s.
‘Save Bob’ was written across it in dark black letters.
Kat smiled and looked over at Lily who was still answering questions in the doorway.
Maybe she’s not all bad, Kat thought.
Kat put down her backpack and slid the new t-shirt over her own shirt.
Michael gasped from across the desk.
“Is that glitter paint?” he asked.
Kat looked down and watched the S sparkle. She glanced back at Lily again and smiled.
“Yup,” Kat said proudly. “A double whammy!”
Sophie snuck around the classroom with her camera and snapped a picture of Kat.
“I’m going to have my mom make me one too,” she said.
The final bell rang to tell everyone that they should be in their own classes.
“Uh oh,” Sophie said dashing from the room.
Kat laughed. She took another look at her new shirt as Lily left the doorway to take her seat.
Kat looked at Michael and beamed.
“If you excuse me, I have a life to save!”
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