The plan was a Buck-a-Bug fund-raiser.

It was the kind of idea that would either be mind-blowingly amazing—or that would completely, utterly tank.

Hollie figured few would eat a bug just because, but many might if it were for a good cause. Will loved wrestling but didn’t think a fund-raiser for the team would be enough to get people out, so they agreed to raise funds for cancer research in honor of one of their teachers, Mrs. Graf, who had died a few years earlier.

While working on his science presentation, Will had found all sorts of recipes for different bug dishes. At the time, they’d just seemed funny: Bugs in a Rug, Really Hoppin’ John, Scorpion Scaloppine. Now he got that the names were funny, not to make fun of eating bugs but to be inviting, to encourage people to think of insect dishes as not scary but a welcome change from the ordinary.

As long as they did, for real, taste good.

That’s where Mr. Herrera came in.

While food preparation would happen behind the scenes, Will would officially come out as a bug eater at school. He talked with Coach Van Beek and Mr. Taylor first, partly because the plan wouldn’t happen without them, but also because he respected them and knew his antics had affected them, too. Getting their agreement, Will then went public via the school’s PA system.

The pages of his speech were crumpled from too much handling in his sweaty hands. By the time the bells rang and Principal Raymond signaled him to start, his heart pounded like he’d done a thousand sprints.

He cleared his throat—into the mic—and heard feedback echo in the hall.

“My fellow Cobras, I am Will Nolan.”

Classrooms erupted with so much noise, Will could hear it from inside the office. He hoped the loud reaction was a good thing. He cleared his throat again, into the mic, again, which made the principal and secretary wince again—and the classrooms abruptly go silent.

“I’m Will Nolan, and I’m an entomophagist,” he said, concentrating to say it correctly: en-toe-MOFF-ah-jist. “That means I eat bugs. On purpose.” Another wave of sound rolled down the hallway, bolstering him for the next part. “I’m here today to announce the Buck-a-Bug fund-raiser for cancer research. For every dollar donated, you, too, can eat a delicious bug.”

This time, the only sound in the hall was a cricket chirp.

“Mr. Herrera, chef at the famous El Corazón, will prepare several treats to tempt your taste buds. And, if we raise two hundred fifty dollars, I will publicly eat an entire scorpion.”

The roar from the classrooms rattled windows.

When Hollie had suggested the scorpion challenge, Will had protested, because it seemed like using insects as punishment again, and also because she’d said scorpion. He argued that scorpions were part of the arachnid class, not insects, but Hollie didn’t care about technicalities. She wanted him to eat one. From the reactions outside the principal’s office, so did everyone else.

Eloy had been cool with the idea, noting that the extra incentive would likely get more people in the door. But Will was pretty sure, in this case, that Eloy was also cool with the idea of the scorpion as a bit of a punishment.

Will tried to keep his focus on the raising $250 part.

“The Buck-a-Bug fund-raiser will begin at noon outside the gym this Saturday. I hope you will join me by coming early and staying late to support our wrestling team at our first tournament. My fellow wrestlers at Triton are some of the most honorable, hardest-working people I’ve ever met, and they represent our school with pride every time they step onto the mat.” Will blinked fast and swallowed, and it was so weirdly quiet, he feared everyone heard the gulp. He hadn’t been a great representative of the team so far, and the guys deserved serious respect.

“So bring your dollars and come to the Buck-a-Bug fund-raiser Saturday at noon. We’ve ordered all kinds of yummy bugs and the scorpion. And I’m willing to share.”

When he turned off the mic, Principal Raymond patted his back. Will wiped his forehead. He hadn’t realized he was sweating, and he had to do this two more times, at the high school and the elementary school. But his school was the one he cared about most, and he had all limbs crossed that the plan would work.