The Smoky Corridor

15

Zack was actually feeling pretty excited as he hustled down Stonebriar Road to the corner.

Judy might be right, he thought.

Not many of the kids at Pettimore Middle School had even met Zack yet, so how could they already hate him? Especially when, like Judy had said, he was a whole new Zack.

He tugged down on the straps to his backpack. Made ’em good and snug.

Yep, this year was going to be totally different. School would be cool.

Zack let his mind wander.

A bright yellow leaf fluttered off a nearby tree and Zack imagined confetti streaming from the sky. Tons of it! A whole ticker tape parade, like when someone wins the World Series or walks on the moon.

Yep, the kids at his new school had probably heard about Zack’s exploits and adventures. How, over the summer, he and his trusty dog, Zipper, had done the sort of incredibly awesome things most mere mortals and their family pets can only read about in comic books.

Zack passed a house with a Back to School banner flapping on its porch, and in his mind’s eye, he could see the huge banner waiting for him at the school: WELCOME ZACK! Printed in big block letters ten feet tall. They’d probably put blinking lights in all the letters, too—like they did on Broadway.

And then a marching band would make some kind of formation around the flagpole. Maybe they’d just do a big “Z” for “Zack” and “Zipper” and leave it at that. After all, it was the first day of school and they’d only had that morning to rehearse.

Then the principal, Mr. Scot Smith, would grab the microphone and make a major announcement: Even though the school year was just beginning, Zack Jennings had already been voted Most Popular and Coolest Kid in the Sixth Grade. He’d also been elected class president. Apparently, the votes in all three instances had been unanimous.

Judy was right.

This year was definitely going to be different.

When Zack closed his eyes, he could see it all.

Then he collided with something solid and sweaty.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, wuss!”