Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets by Eric Luper

Author:Eric Luper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter 14

Malicious In Tent

“I’m so sorry, Jenna and Samantha,” Ms. Rendell said

at Monday’s meeting. “With a score for the other team in the final seconds, I’m afraid I can’t give either of you a Sports Star Caliber Badge.”

“But we played really well in the second half,” Slater said. “We worked together. We helped the team and—”

“And you lost the game because you were careless. You didn’t have your wits about you and—whether it’s on the field hockey field or in real life—that could be a dangerous thing.”

Well, you were too busy with your rivalry with Mrs. Sanchez to offer any help, Jeremy wanted to say, but all that came out was, “Can’t you just let it slide?”

None of the girls nodded; none even lifted their eyes.

Ms. Rendell shook her head. “Why don’t you try for a different badge?” She grabbed a dry-erase marker and went back to the whiteboard to tally fund-raiser sales. When she finished logging in cupcakes, it was no surprise to anyone that Jenna and Samantha had the worst numbers of the group.

Jeremy looked the girls over. Most of them were sitting, ankles crossed, around the circle. One girl held a Thanksgiving centerpiece she was submitting for her Creative Creations badge. Another held a framed photo of a monarch butterfly she had snagged, tagged, and released for her Wildlife Preservation badge. Each girl had at least three or four badges stitched to her sash. Some had close to a dozen. What were he and Slater doing so wrong that they couldn’t earn a single one? What were they doing so wrong that they couldn’t sell more than a handful of cupcakes? Jeremy gritted his teeth. The Windjammer Whirl was only a few weeks away and they hadn’t even begun to design their balsa wood boat yet.

“Before we hear all about Madeline McEneny’s community theater project, why don’t we finalize our plans for next weekend’s overnight camping trip?” Ms. Rendell said. She began handing out photocopies. “I’ve listed all the things you will need. A sleeping bag, warm clothing, a flashlight, all that. Then there are a few items we’ll need volunteers to bring. Things we can share, such as air mattresses, coolers, garbage bags, et cetera.” She handed the last photocopy to the last Cupcake Cadet and took a seat at the head of the circle, near the auditorium stage. “I will take care of the rest. Please do not bring any food, snacks especially. A few of you are on restricted diets and I don’t want any calamities. The last thing we need is for Lily Martin to come within fifty feet of a tree nut. We’re roughing it, girls. Let’s try our best to keep it simple.”

Some girl raised her hand. “What about s’mores?”

Ms. Rendell smiled. “Do you think I’m a barbarian? I’ll bring all the fixings for s’mores.”

A collective sigh came from the group.

“I know it’s only October, but nights can get cold up there,” Ms. Rendell said. “You’ll need to be prepared. Bring sweatshirts and rain gear.

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