The BEDMAS Conspiracy Read Online Free Page A

test to Sam Laken.
    He was getting closer and closer to handing a test to Mr. Adam Margols. Me—a cheater. A cheater who was starting to sweat buckets. Beads of perspiration dripped down my neck. I wiped away the droplets. My hands were starting to tremble. Between the sweaty palms and the shaking, it became increasingly hard to grip my pencil.
    Mr. Papernick headed down my row. “Good luck, Ms. Mackie,” he said as he gave Darcy Mackie the test.
    In a few seconds, I would have my test and I would cheat my way to a passing grade. My pencil slipped from my sweaty grip and rolled on the floor. I reached down to pick it up. But my sweaty, shaking fingers made it hard to grasp. After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to pick it up. But, by the time I did, I realized I couldn’t go through with my plan. I may have been a daydreamer who couldn’t add, but I wasn’t a cheater. I would just have to fail the test and deal with my parents.
    I bolted from my seat and headed to the garbage can. The illicit sticky note was giving me a big, psychic paper cut. I just wanted to get rid of it. I was ready to take the test and get a good old-fashioned F. My parents would be angry but I’d promise to do extra math every night—perhaps even get a tutor. Maybe I could take a re-test next week.
    My hands were still wet with perspiration. Just three steps away from the garbage pail...
    â€œHey,” said a squeaky voice. It was Eldrick Hooperberg. “You dropped something, Adam.”
    Eldrick leaned over and picked up the little yellow piece of paper which had somehow unglued itself from inside my sleeve and slipped to the floor. He waved it above his head, formulas flashing for all to see. Panicking, I looked Eldrick directly in the eye, hoping he’d realize he should clam up. He completely ignored my signal.
    Mr. Papernick wasted no time swooping in. “Well, well—what have we here? I’ll take that, Mr. Hoopenbaum.”
    â€œHooperberg,” corrected Eldrick weakly.
    â€œIt appears we have ourselves a cheat sheet, Mr. Margols.” Mr. Papernick frowned as he studied it. “Though I’m not sure if this sorry attempt would have improved your chances of getting through this test.”
    â€œBut...I... aargh .” I tried to protest, but my voice seemed to have stopped working. I was in big trouble. At best, I would have to set up camp in detention. At worst, I would be grounded forever. And how could I be in a band if I could never leave my room? There was a good chance that my dream of winning Wilcott’s Got Talent was over.
    Why, oh why, couldn’t Eldrick Hooperberg have kept his mouth shut? A brainiac like Eldrick would have known exactly what that piece of paper was. He’d brought me down—on purpose—and I was never going to forgive him! My eyes shot daggers at him as Mr. Papernick sent me away to the office.

M y day quickly went from bad to worse. First, I had to sit through a lecture by Principal Losman. Then I had to write the test in the office and wait for Mr. Papernick. When he came at recess, he gave me his own lecture. Two lectures were not ideal, but I could have lived with it if it was my full punishment. It was not. Mr. Papernick concluded his speech with the seven words no kid ever wants to hear: I’ll be speaking to your parents tonight . He didn’t look very happy.
    For the rest of the day, I wavered back and forth on cancelling band practice. Sweat trickled down my forehead every time I imagined Mr. Papernick’s phone call—and my parents’ reaction! In the end, I decided to hold practice. Most likely I’d be saying goodbye to a lot of privileges for a very long time. There was no sense starting my grounding early. Although it was hard, I tried to put my desperate situation out of my head and concentrate on the band.
    â€œYour parents are going to be furious when they hear about this,” said