It was finally Friday. “Is everybody ready for the Spelling Bee?” asked Miss Clark.

I stuck my hand in my pocket and rubbed my lucky shark’s tooth. I am, I thought to myself.

I leaned over to Josh and whispered, “I’m so glad I found my shark’s tooth just in time!”

“But you don’t really need it,” said Josh.

“Yes I do!”

“Not really,” said Josh. “You know all of the words because you studied really hard all week.”

“This is how it’s going to work,” said Miss Clark. “This morning before recess, all of the second-grade teachers are going to give their students a spelling test of fifty words. The ten children who get the highest score will then compete against each other to see who is the second grade spelling champion.”

My stomach flip-flopped. Fifty words!

Josh looked over at me. “Are you okay, Freddy? You look a little pale.”

“I don’t know.”

“You can do this,” said Josh. “Just breathe.”

Miss Clark passed out the paper, and we all took the test. As we were passing them in, Josh whispered, “So, Freddy, how do you think you did?”

“I think I did okay,” I said, smiling. “Thanks to you and Robbie.”

After recess Miss Clark said, “Well, it’s time to go to the gym and join the other second-grade classes. When we get there, Mr. Pendergast will tell you who the finalists are.”

We all followed Miss Clark into the gym. It was buzzing with excitement. I saw Robbie out of the corner of my eye and waved.

He gave me two thumbs up and mouthed, “Good luck!”

Principal Pendergast, stepped up to the microphone. “Welcome, everybody,” he said. “I hope you are as excited about this Spelling Bee as I am.”

Chloe stood up and waved her hands in the air. “Yoo-hoo! Mr. Pendergast! I just want you to know I am super excited. I even wore this brand-new dress today just for the occasion. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It’s lovely, dear,” said Mr. Pendergast. “Now please sit down.”

Chloe started to twirl around, but Miss Clark grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back into her seat.

Mr. Pendergast continued, “Right before recess, you all took a test of fifty words that were on your list. I am very proud of all of you, but today only the ten children who got the best scores will compete for the title of Second Grade Spelling Champion.”

“That’s going to be me!” Max yelled out.

“Really? How does he know that?” Josh whispered to me.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“If everyone is quiet, then I will read the names of the ten finalists. When you hear your name, please come up on the stage.”

I rubbed my lucky shark’s tooth.

“Shanvi, Carlos, Robbie, James, Chloe, Li-Jing, Max, Fatima, Jessie, and …”

My heart skipped a beat.

“Freddy.”

Josh shook me. “Dude! That’s awesome! He said your name. You’re one of the finalists.”

“I think I’m going to throw up,” I said. “I can’t go up there in front of all these people.”

“Yes you can. Remember what I told you to do yesterday. If you get really nervous, just hum a song quietly in your head.”

Josh gave me a little push. “Now get up there.”

I slowly walked up the steps to the stage. My legs were so wobbly. They felt like Jell-O.

Max and Chloe were pushing and shoving each other. “This is my spot,” Chloe whined.

“No, I was here first!” Max shouted.

“But my name was called before yours,” Chloe cried.

“So what?” barked Max. “Get out of my way.”

Mr. Pendergast came rushing over. “If the two of you don’t stop arguing right now, then you will both be out of the competition. Understand?”

Max glared at Chloe. Chloe glared at Max.

“Do you understand?”

They both nodded their heads.

“Okay, I think we are ready to begin,” said Mr. Pendergast. “I will tell you a word, and you have to spell it out loud for us. If you spell it correctly, then you will move on to the next round. If you don’t spell it correctly, then you will sit down.”

After ten rounds, there were four kids left, Jessie, Max, Shanvi, and me! I had made it through ten rounds!

The competition continued and after fourteen rounds, there were only two kids left … Max Sellars, and me! I couldn’t believe it. I never win anything, but here I was so close to winning the whole thing.

“You know you’re not going to win,” Max whispered in my ear.

“How do you know?” I whispered back.

“Because no one beats me. I’m the best at everything.”

I shifted slightly away, so I didn’t have to feel his hot, stinky breath on my neck.

I looked out into the audience searching for Josh and Robbie. Josh looked up at me and mouthed, “You got this!”

Then I saw Robbie. He held up three fingers and touched his lips to remind me to breathe slowly to a count of three.

It was Max’s turn. “Okay, Max,” said Mr. Pendergast. “Are you ready for your next word?”

“Of course,” Max said. “Give it to me.”

“Your word is ‘special.’” Please spell the word ‘special.’”

“Oh, that one’s easy,” said Max with a big grin on his face. “S-P-E-C-I-L. Special.”

“No, I am sorry. That is incorrect,” said Mr. Pendergast.

Max’s mouth dropped open and he stamped his foot. “No it’s not!” he shouted. “I know I spelled it right.”

“Now it’s Freddy’s turn to spell that word,” said Mr. Pendergast. “If he spells it right, then he will be the winner.”

I stuck my hand in my pocket and rubbed my lucky shark’s tooth. I know this one, I thought to myself. We just studied it yesterday. I slowly took a deep breath, in for three counts and out for three counts. Then I stepped up to the microphone and said, “S-P-E-C-I-A-L, special.”

“That is correct!” said Mr. Pendergast. “Congratulations, Freddy. You are the Second Grade Spelling Champion!” and he handed me a big trophy and the gift certificate to the bookstore.

Josh and Robbie jumped out of their seats. “Woo-hoo!” they shouted. “You did it! You won!” Then they started chanting, “Freddy! Freddy! Freddy!”

A huge smile spread across my face. I am the luckiest person, I thought to myself. I have the best friends ever!