“Now the other leg,” said Rondi.
He took another step.
“You can do it, Stephen!” cheered Kathy.
“Bang that gong like no one ever banged it before!” called Joy.
Stephen walked across the room. He stepped out the door. Behind him, he heard the entire class shout together.
“Breathe!”
Stephen took a breath.
22
The Moment
Stephen was worrying his way down the stairs when suddenly he spotted Jenny’s skateboard, right in the middle of a step. He stepped over it.
Well, that was easy.
And just like that, his fears vanished. Not even the Cloud of Doom worried him.
He quickly hurried the rest of the way down. He didn’t want to be late. When he reached the second floor, he could see Louis below, wheeling the gong into place.
“Louis!” he shouted, and then jumped down the final eight steps. “Am I late?”
“You’re right on time,” said the yard teacher.
The gong was gigantic, almost tw
ice as big as Stephen. He had never stood so close to it before. In the center was a small red dot.
The iron mallet hung from a hook. The mallet was longer than his arm, and thicker too.
“Have you been doing your push-downs?” Louis asked.
Stephen nodded. “I’m almost up to two,” he said confidently.
Mr. Kidswatter stepped out of his office. He took one look at Stephen and asked, “Who are you?”
“This is Stephen,” said Louis. “You chose him to bang the gong today?”
“Him? Why would I choose him?”
“Because you’re the best principal ever!!!” said Louis.
“Well, yes, that’s true,” said Mr. Kidswatter.
“I’ll do my best, sir,” said Stephen.
“That’s what worries me,” said the principal.
Louis handed Stephen two cotton balls.
As Stephen was stuffing them in his ears, Louis unhooked the mallet.
He held it out to Stephen.