Keel News

Poagel and the space team - Chapter one

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     The top floor in the school, the walls are white, the floors are white, and the light is bouncing off everything like it would a mirror. Two girls, giggling, late for class. ‘Late again girls, are we?’ their teacher Dr Parker said with a raised voice and a stern look. ‘Sorry miss,’ they said in unison. They hurried to their seats and sat down. ‘I knew we shouldn’t have gone that way Laura,’ Rebecca said. ‘Right, I have something very important to announce,’ Dr Parker exclaimed while eyeing Laura and Rebecca. ‘There is a school competition that will be taking place after the summer holidays,’ the class groaned but the front of the class nerd Poagel disagreed and squealed excitedly. ‘Anyway, now that we have all expressed our emotions, I can’t tell you much but one of the things I will tell you is that it. Is the most advanced competition yet. Over the summer, you and two other people of your choice, will build a rocket to fly to Pluto. To make sure it is space-safe, please get it checked by our space safety assessor over here, Dr Mark Lark.’ The teacher continued. ‘Hello class,’ Mark Lark boomed. ‘On the first day back at school when you all will be in year five, you will bring your rocket on appropriate transport and leave it in the storage room. You will then be told what you have to do, as the next part of the challenge is a mystery. Now, FIND YOUR TEAMS!’ Said Dr Parker, shouting the last bit. There was a sudden scratching of chairs across the classroom floor and then an uproar of chatter. Poagel however, stayed seated, he knew that no one would pick him, and he would be put with the people who were left over by the teacher. Today, something was going to change. Laura and Rebecca walked over to Poagel. ‘Hey Poagel, do you want to be on our team?’ Rebecca asked. ‘Are you doing this, so I do all the work?’ Poagel replied. ‘Yes!’ Laura said quickly. ‘Maybe, she means maybe,’ Rebecca interrupted while punching Laura in the leg. ‘Ok… Great, just like the rest!’ Poagel said, ‘I can build us a rocket and fly us to Pluto!’ ‘Actually, I would like to have a go at flying!’ Laura said. ‘Right……………’ Poagel said worried, he knew that Laura wasn’t the most careful of people. ‘RRIINNGGGGGGG!!!!!!’ the bell went, and it was lunchtime. As Poagel went into the lunch hall there was a lot of chatter and pointing of fingers. Poagel overheard some boys at a table saying, ‘He’s in a team with girls from his space class!’ The word does get around quickly, Poagel thought. He sighed and as usual went to his small, broken table in the corner of the cafeteria and got out his packed lunch. This is the only place that anyone would let him sit.