فصل سی و سوم

chapter-33

Kyle and his teammates, along with all the other Library Olympians, were allowed to sleep in the next morning, because thanks to the surprise poolside contest, there would be only one game played that day.

Of course, Kyle didn’t want to sleep in. He wanted to get back in the arena ASAP and retake the lead.

He didn’t like being tied with Marjory Muldauer.

He didn’t like knowing his team had lost the poolside pop quiz because he’d blurted out the wrong answer and hadn’t let Sierra say the right one.

He also didn’t like being this close to losing.

Kyle and Miguel were sitting in the Olympia Village dining room, pushing the bobbing yellow marshmallows around in their Lucky Lemoncello Lumps cereal bowls.

“Sorry about blowing it last night,” he said to Miguel.

“Don’t apologize to me. Tell Sierra.”

“I will. But now we still have to win two of the last three games.” “Not necessarily, bro. If one of the teams with no medals or just one medal beats us, we’re still in a tie with—” “Miguel?” Kyle snapped. “We need to win two more games.” “Yo. Ease up, Kyle.”

“Ease up? If we lose this thing, do you know what people are going to say about us? That we just got lucky the first time. That Charles Chiltington probably would’ve won the escape game if Mr. Lemoncello hadn’t kicked him out on a technicality.” “Yeah. They might say that. Or they might say, ‘You win some, you lose some.’ But what counts is how you play the game.” “Well, I am not playing to lose, Miguel.”

“Hey, neither am I. And I’m not playing alone.” “I know. And we need you to step it up a little.” “What?”

“You’re the only member of our team who hasn’t won a single medal.” “Gee, Kyle, thanks for reminding me.”

“Have you guys seen Marjory Muldauer?” asked Akimi as she and Sierra joined the boys at the breakfast table. “I like to keep my eye on our competition at all times.” “What about all these other kids?” said Sierra, gesturing to the tables filled with the country’s top young bibliophiles. “They’re our competition, too.” Akimi blew that off with a wave of her hand.

“Come on, Sierra. Little Miss Library from Michigan has won every single one of the Midwest team’s medals for them. She’s our only real threat. Especially if Kyle keeps hogging the ball and missing his shots.” Kyle sighed. “I’m really sorry about shouting out the wrong answer last night, Sierra.” “Apology accepted,” said Sierra. “Next time, maybe you could, I don’t know, trust me?” Kyle nodded. “Definitely.”

Akimi craned her neck and checked out all the other tables. “So where is Marjory?” “She went to the library early,” said Andrew Peckleman, who was rolling a rubber barrel between tables to collect people’s breakfast trash. “She wanted to do some studying, so my uncle drove her over there.” “What’s she studying?” asked Kyle.

“How to beat you,” whined Andrew.

“And how’s she going to do that, Andrew? What’d she find to study at the library when none of us even know what the tenth game is going to be?” “I don’t know. Do I look like a mind reader?” “No, Andrew, I’d say you look like a garbage man.” “Kyle?” said Sierra, shaking her head. “That wasn’t nice.” “In fact,” said Akimi, “it was downright nasty.” “Yeah,” said Miguel, with his arms crossed over his chest. “What is with you today?” “Sorry, Andrew,” said Kyle. “I’m just a little on edge.” “Well, you should be,” said Andrew, adjusting his goggle glasses. “Because Marjory Muldauer is going to kick your butt, and I can’t wait to watch her kicking it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have more garbage to collect.” Andrew pushed his barrel away.

Akimi glared at Kyle. Sierra stirred her cereal. Miguel shook his head.

“Andrew’s a decent guy, Kyle,” said Miguel, sounding disappointed. “He didn’t deserve that.” “I know. I’m sorry. We just really, really need to win today’s game—whatever it is.”