Alien in My Pocket #4 Read Online Free Page A

miscalculated,” he said, pointing at me. “If your balloon had been bigger, contained more helium inside, well, then, maybe you’d have something.”
    â€œI know,” I said as the knot finally gave way and came unraveled.
    Amp turned away and spoke into the device on his wrist.
    â€œCouncil Note: The element helium is used here on Earth to make balloons float. Ha! Sort of a waste of a very useful gas. Although it is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen, it’s fairly rare here on Earth, and seems to be used only for making children’s toys float. Very curious indeed.”
    â€œDo you do that just to bug me?” I asked. “If you do, it’s working.”
    â€œNow you’re going to try a parachute, aren’t you?” Amp asked, ignoring my irritation. “Zack, I’ve been thinking.”
    â€œOh no,” I said.
    â€œThat switch you helped me with the other morning . . .”
    â€œThe one that made me late for school and ended up breaking my arm? That switch?”
    â€œDislocated, not broken. Yes, that switch. Anyway, my power booster is now working, thanks to you and that switch. That means I am very close to leaving.”
    â€œReally?” I said. “Huh, that’s great, Amp. When can you go?”
    â€œWell, that’s just it. I may be able to get to Erde, but I wouldn’t be able to stop. That crash into your bedroom wall would be nothing compared to how I’d hit planet Erde. I’d go splat, like a pancake.”
    â€œBummer,” I said. “Then fix your braking system. I’m kinda busy right now—”
    â€œWhich is why, Zack, this parachute idea has me so excited. See, it’s all so simple: we could install a parachute like this one on my ship. The air on Erde is thicker than the air here on Earth. With the right entry angle into the Erde atmosphere, a parachute would work great.”
    â€œI’ll let you know how this works,” I said, standing.
    â€œWell, that’s just it,” he said. “Let me take over this experiment. With my training, experience, and smarts, I think I could arrive at a solution much faster than with someone of your, your limited—”
    My hand shot out and grabbed Amp. I cut him off mid-sentence. I had totally surprised him. Now he struggled to get free. His three-fingered hands pounded harmlessly on my fingers. He started to blink on and off in my sight, using his old disappearing trick in his panic, but it wasn’t working.
    â€œActually, I don’t need your help, Amp,” I told him. “If I need a complete disaster, I’ll call you. But this is my idea and I’ll handle it on my own, without your meddling.”
    â€œRelease me this instant,” he demanded in his squeaky voice.
    I was about to put him in my desk drawer when I saw Olivia’s hamster ball sticking out from under my bed. What a great idea! Mike certainly wouldn’t mind if Amp spent a few hours wandering around my room inside his plastic ball. The fact that it probably smelled like hamster poop wasn’t my fault.
    I placed Amp inside, and as quickly as I could, I replaced the cover and spun it back into place.
    Now Amp put his hands on his hips and gave me his best Erdian stinkeye. “You wouldn’t dare leave me in here, Zack. I am from an advanced civilization!”
    â€œWhat? C’mon, you’ll have a ball in there,” I said, smirking.
    â€œThis isn’t funny!” he cried. “It stinks in here.”
    I rolled the ball a few inches and Amp had to take a few steps so he didn’t fall over. He looked so ridiculous I had to laugh. I rose to my feet, grabbed my toy parachute, and dashed to the door. Amp rolled after me, with a hilariously angry face. I closed the door before he got to me. I heard the plastic hamster ball bump off the other side of the door.
    I smiled.
    Maybe this weekend wasn’t