GoldieBlox Chapter Book #1
Page 5
“Sorry, Master Zeek,” the Butler Phone answered.
“Not you. Her!” He pointed at Goldie.
“Change of plans, Zeek. I’m a proud Higgs Bozon Cube after all.” Goldie pulled on her new Higgs Bozon hat.
“No. No. No!” Zeek stomped down the hallway.
Ruby and Val stepped out of a classroom.
“Is that true?” Ruby asked. “Are you staying?”
“Yep,” Goldie said. “I realized that Higgs Bozon has a lot to offer.”
“Like state-of-the-art technology?” Ruby asked.
“That’s not what I was talking about,” Goldie said. “I’m more interested in the Gearheads.”
“If you’re staying, the school should probably get more insurance,” Val added.
Li joined them. He already knew Goldie was sticking around since they rode their skateboards to school together. “I just passed Zeek. He looked like he saw a ghost.” Li laughed.
“Well, I’m glad you’re staying, Goldie,” Ruby said. “But what’s going to happen to the Blox School? We did a really fabulous job rebuilding it.”
“Don’t worry. I have an idea,” Goldie said.
“An idea?” Val said. “Should I put on a hard hat and goggles?”
Goldie’s plan did not require hard hats or safety goggles. All she needed was the building permit she had gotten from Mayor Zander and a hammer to hang a new sign on the old Blox School.
FROTHY FORMULAS SMOOTHIE SHOP
AND COMMUNITY CENTER
Miss Maggie had loved the idea of opening her smoothie shop in the old school. She might not have imagined a store with a climbing wall, a clean room, and a net cannon. That was all bonus.
Goldie and her friends were special guests for the grand opening. Goldie even helped Miss Maggie cut the ribbon with a giant pair of scissors.
“Three…two…one…,” Miss Maggie counted down. “Frothy Formulas is now officially open!”
Goldie joined her friends in line to get a smoothie. She practically fell over when she saw Ruby take off her long jacket.
“Overalls!” Goldie shrieked. “You look incredible, Rubes.”
“Thanks,” Ruby said. “Don’t get too excited. I’m not going to wear them every day. But I’ll admit, I love all the pockets. This pouch can even fit my minicomputer.”
When they got to the counter, they each ordered a large smoothie, and Miss Maggie wouldn’t accept their money. Li got a chocolate- banana smoothie with protein powder. Ruby had a berry bonanza. Val, who took the longest to order, got a coffee blast. Then it was Goldie’s turn.
“I want an everything smoothie,” she said. “But hold the sesame seeds.”
“That sounds disgusting,” Ruby said.
“Sounds like Goldie,” Li said.
“And two vanilla smoothies,” Goldie continued ordering.
When the drinks were ready, Goldie grabbed the two vanilla smoothies and told her friends she’d be right back.
They watched as she walked across the street. Zeek and Mayor Zander stood on the curb, keeping their distance from Frothy Formulas.
“Here.” Goldie shoved the vanilla smoothies into their hands.
Mayor Zander grumbled, but Zeek took a big gulp.
“It was nice of you to come,” Goldie said. “And you’re just in time.”
“For what?” Zeek asked.
Goldie pulled a remote control from her pocket. Then she pressed the big red button in the center. A disco ball popped out of the roof. Flickering lights danced across the crowd, and everyone oohed and aahed.
“You were supposed to leave Higgs Bozon,” Zeek snarled. “That was the deal.”
Goldie shrugged. “I changed my mind. I like it there.”
“Dad, can’t we kick her out?” Zeek asked.
“No,” Mayor Zander said. “I had my lawyers look into it. If she chooses to attend Higgs Bozon Prep, there’s nothing I can do about it.” He still hadn’t taken a single sip of his smoothie.
“You’ll never fit in at HiBo, Goldie Blox.” Zeek leaned forward so his face was only a few inches from hers.
“I don’t want to fit in,” she said. “I want to blow the roof off the place.”
The Zanders’ mouths fell open.
“Just kidding.” Goldie smiled. “But a rocket launch is not totally out of the question. Especially since I was just voted captain of the new Space Exploration Club. Zeek, you’re welcome to join.”
“Never!” Zeek stuck his chin in the air.
“Never? Hmmm. That word isn’t in my vocabulary.” Goldie grinned and walked back to her friends. She couldn’t wait for new adventures to come their way.
Grant Blair
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stacy McAnulty thinks her imagination is the most important tool in her toolbox. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a mechanical engineer —a job that, like writing, requires creativity and stick-to-itiveness. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the chapter book series The Dino Files and the picture books Beautiful and 101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking a Bath. She lives with her husband, three kids, and two dogs in Kernersville, North Carolina. Find out more at stacymcanulty.com.
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