Junie B., First Grader_ One-Man Band - Barbara Park [4]
“It seems that two of our classmates would rather be cheerleaders,” he said. “And another one would like to be—”
This time, his eyes glanced at Lucille.
“—homecoming queen,” he said.
Lucille sprang right up.
“No, no. Princess!” she called out. “I want to be homecoming princess, Mr. Scary! Not queen! Princesses are way cuter than queens. Plus princesses aren't old.”
She looked at the children and fluffed herself.
“Wait till you see me, everyone. I'm going to have a beautiful float made out of pink rose petals,” she said. “And there will be a golden throne for me to sit on.”
She looked all around the room.
“Maybe a few of you girls might like to be my attendants,” she said. “But my nanna will have to look you over first.”
Mr. Scary went to the sink in the back of the room. And he took an aspirin.
Room One started buzzing about Lucille.
Then some of the children started thinking about different jobs that they could have in the tournament, too.
“Hey! Maybe I can be the game announcer on the loudspeaker,” said Roger. “And after the game I can pour root beer on all the winners!”
“Yeah,” said Shirley. “And I could sell Rice Krispie Treats! My mother says those things are all profit.”
Just then, May jumped up.
“And I could do crowd control!” she called out. “’Cause I already have a badge at home. And so all I'll need is a big stick to poke people with. And a gas mask.”
Mr. Scary took another aspirin.
Then he walked back to his desk. And he took a deep breath.
“Okay. Here's the best I'm going to do for you guys,” he said. “I'll give everyone in here two choices of jobs. You can either play in the game as part of the team. Or you can be a cheerleader. But that's it. That's my best offer.”
Lucille stood up at her desk. She flounced her dress very upset. Then she plopped back down again.
After that, Sheldon stood up, too. And he pointed to his Band-Aid.
“But what about this, Mr. Scary? Have you forgotten about my injury?” he asked. “I can't play in the game, remember? And cheerleading is just for girls.”
Mr. Scary frowned. “Well, that's not actually true, Sheldon. Lots of colleges have male cheerleaders,” he said. “But since you and Junie B. both have injuries, I'll let you two pick different jobs to do in the tournament. Okay? That would only be fair.”
Sheldon looked relieved.
“Yes!” he said. “I was hoping you'd say that! Because I already know what I'm going to do!”
He quick climbed on his chair and made a 'nouncement.
“I'm going to do a halftime show! I'm going to do a halftime show!” he shouted.
Mr. Scary grabbed him and put him back in his seat.
“A halftime show?” he asked, kind of curious.
Sheldon nodded real fast.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” he said. “’Cause my dad used to play the cymbals in his high school band! And he already taught me how. Plus he still has his band uniform! So my mother can fix it to fit me! And then I can march and play the cymbals like a real professional band guy!”
Sheldon clapped his hands together.
“And wait! Here's another idea! Maybe I can sing, too! ’Cause I learned some songs at Christmastime. And my dad says I can almost carry a tune!”
Mr. Scary smiled.
“You know what, Sheldon? I think that's a fine idea,” he said. “In fact, I think a little halftime entertainment would be excellent.”
Sheldon clapped some more.
“Yay! I'll start practicing as soon as I get home!” he said.
Mr. Scary smiled again.
Then he raised his eyebrows. And he looked back at me.
“So … Junie B.? What do you think? If Sheldon does a halftime show, would you like to be in it, too?” he asked. “I bet playing an instrument wouldn't be too hard on your sore toe. And I'm sure Sheldon would be happy to have another band member.”
I did a loud groan.
Then I put my head back on my desk.
And I covered up with my sweater again.
After school, Mr. Scary called Mother at her work. And he told her that I got disappointed about the tournament.
That's how come—for dinner that night—Mother made my favorite meal of pasketti and meatballs. Plus she and Daddy tried to be extra nice to me.