CHAPTER 2
Max and Owen skidded to a stop in front of Splat Arena. A big sign above the arena’s two front doors read: SUMMER YOUTH PAINTBALL LEAGUE SIGN-UPS TODAY.
“I thought this summer would never get here,” Max said as they hurried inside.
There were about twenty kids standing around. Max nodded at the college-aged guy leaning on the sign-up counter and smiling. “Look,” Max said. “It’s Jace.”
Jace Jennings had once been the best player in the youth paintball league. Now he volunteered as a team leader. The previous summer, he’d led the yellow team to the league championship.
“Do you think he’ll be our team leader again this summer?” Max asked.
“I hope so,” Owen said. “He’s the best coach here.”
“Hey, guys,” Jace said as Max and Owen walked up to the sign-up line. “Joining the yellow team again, I hope?”
“Definitely!” Max said. “We’ll have the best coach again, right?”
“You know it,” Jace said with a laugh. “You guys get signed up. I’ll make sure you’re both on my team. See you tomorrow for the first day.”
Max and Owen eventually reached the front of the line. They picked up rules pamphlets and permission slips for their parents to sign, then headed for the exit.
But Max didn’t quite make it there — at least, not on his feet. As he walked out the front door, he tripped over something and landed on the grass with a thud!
“Ow,” Max said, groaning. He rolled over and saw Alex standing over him.
“Another nice trip for Max,” Alex said. He stopped next to Max on the lawn. His goon friends stood behind him, laughing.
“What’s Max short for, anyway?” Alex continued. “Maximum Dork?”
Max didn’t respond. He just waited for Alex to finish making fun of him and move on. Finally, the bully and his friends left.
Max sat up. “Thanks for helping,” he said to Owen. “Again.”
Owen offered Max help getting up, but Max slapped his hand away.
“Look at it this way,” Owen said. “Sure, he’s a bully, and he’s tripped you twice today and made you look like a fool and got you covered in mud and grass stains —”
“What’s your point?” Max interrupted. He gritted his teeth and stood up.
“My point is, you got your wish,” Owen said. “If he’s here to sign up for the paintball league, you’ll be able to cover him with yellow paint, just like you wanted.”
Max grunted. “Alex thinks I’ll make an easy target,” he said. “I just hope he’s wrong.”