CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Truth Revealed!
The bell rang. I was sitting silently in my seat with my head down. Why were my hands sweating? Why was I nervous?
Maybe Miss Dullworth won’t ask for my science report, I thought. Maybe she forgot!
It was a silly thing to think. Teachers remember everything. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s true. Maybe they’re superpeople with mental powers and everything? Clearly I needed to calm down.
“Peter?” Miss Dullworth said, nodding in my direction. I sheepishly looked up and pointed at myself. “Yes, you are the only Peter in this classroom. And the only person who has yet to turn in a science report.”
I took a deep breath and stood up. Then I began my walk of shame. Of course there was even more sweat. Soon I was face-to-face with Miss Dullworth. What else to do but dive in headfirst? I wanted to lie, but I knew better.…
“Miss Dullworth, I would like to tell you the truth,” I said. “I did write my paper, and it was so good. But then my brother—who can multiply—took my paper, and my dad—who makes breakfast with his fire powers—accidentally burned my report with his flaming fingers. And then I was going to totally rewrite it, but my family—who are all superheroes—got all mixed up in that whole lizard-invasion thing. It was totally crazy. Did you see that big Gila monster on TV? His name was Lumpy, and my mom and sister totally beat him up. Unbelievable, right? But I was able to save the day with my knowledge of cold-blooded animals. That’s what my science report was all about, by the way. After my family saved the city, we all went out for pizza. I ate so much that I fell asleep as soon as I got home. What I’m saying is that I completely forgot about rewriting my report. Oh, and my brother forged that note. And my grandpa is super wacky but totally not dying. I should have just told you the truth in the first place, but I didn’t and I’m sorry.”
Miss Dullworth stared at me. I couldn’t tell if she was angry or confused. I decided to break the silence with a compliment. “Are those new earrings you’re wearing?” I inquired. “They’re very, um, earring-y!”
“Seriously, Peter?” Miss Dullworth said with a dramatic eye roll. “Do you honestly expect me to believe all of that nonsense? A smart student like you should know better. I don’t appreciate being lied to. I’m giving you a week’s detention.”
Miss Dullworth handed me a detention slip. “I suggest you visit the guidance counselor. Based on what you’ve just told me, I’m concerned that you may not be living in reality, Peter. Get some help, okay?”
“Thank you, Miss Dullworth!” I said. “And believe me when I tell you that I’m still going to get you that science report. No matter the cost!” I loved using heroic language.
Once I was back in my seat, a gigantic grin mysteriously appeared on my face. Even though my teacher didn’t believe me, it felt really good to get the truth off my chest. Lying made me feel so nervous and fearful. I finally felt free, like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Not only that, but my abilities were changing. I’d graduated from being able to wiggle a single ice cube out of my pinkie, that’s for sure. And the good news is that I was just getting started. My powers were getting stronger, and I learned a valuable lesson about telling the truth. This adventure was a big win for FREEZY FROSTBITE, THE BOY WITH THE ICY TOUCH!
Hmmm, I thought. I still need to work on that superhero name.
“Peter, detention?! You are so grounded!” Chloe said.
“I doubt it,” I said. “My parents can’t get mad at me for telling the truth. In fact, I have a question for them: If good guys aren’t supposed to lie, then why do we lie about our secret identities?”
I couldn’t wait to see if my parents had an answer for that one.