I had only gotten a few feet from my locker when the big ape Gunther shoved me up against the row of lockers, and held me about 6 inches off the ground.
"Hey, Trent, I just wanted to remind you not to go near my Sally in class today," Gunther ordered.
"Yeah, Gunther, about that Sally and I are lab partners and lab partners only, and I asked Mr. Hutchins to switch us, but he said no. We have to work together or we both get F's. Please put me down, Gunther."
Gunther sighed, and lowered me, "I don't want my Sally getting an F, but you watch yourself. Maybe I should talk to Hutchins myself?" He started to walk away with his hand still firmly clenched around my neck. I crabwalked sidewise unable to break free.
"You can be pretty persuasive. Now do you want to let go of my neck?"
"Huh, oh, yeah, sorry I was thinking," he said.
I caught myself before I said there's a first for time for everything. Hey wait maybe Nino can help me with this neanderthal.
"Anyway, Sally's really smart and I love her. So maybe if I help you on your Science Fair Project, I'll feel better about you being there- cause I'll be there too."
"You want to help with our Science Fair Project? Well, we really need an animal to- say, you know I think you can help with our Science Fair Project."
"Yeah?" he said releasing his grip and straightening my disheveled shirt. He gently put his arm across my shoulders. "You know Sally didn't like the idea, but I bet you can convince her."
"I will, and thanks for volunteering, Gunther."
I headed to class thinking about how to phrase my wish that would put Gunther in a cage, tank or pen as the animal for our science project. I headed straight to the desk I shared with Sally. She was smarter than Gunther, but she was not really in my league.
"Hey, Sally, good news. My friend at the - lab said she could get me an animal for our project."
"What kind of animal?"
"Just about any kind. A gorilla, pig, cow, snake..." my mind went wild watching in my mind Gunther slowly changing from one to the other.
"Really! Oh, I know the perfect project for us..."