The next day was Friday. I walked into Mrs. Patterson's room and Logan and Talia practically tackle me. I guess they're a bit excited.
"When are the tryouts? Can friends come and watch? What jokes will you do? Will you do the refrigerator joke?"
"Talia!" I 10% yell and 90% laugh.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm just too excited!"
"Look, it isn't that big of a deal. I might not even get in."
Logan shakes his head. "Everyone gets in as long as it's, like, school appropriate."
Talia pushes up her glasses, suddenly all serious. "Leo...can I talk to you for a minute? Before class starts?"
"Uh...sure."
She drags me to the other side of the room. I hear this kid Camden singing the Minecraft parodies for a few cheap laughs from the nerds.
"Whatcha need, Talia?"
"I wanted to know what made you change your mind. Was I being pushy? I'm sorry. You know you don't REALLY have to do this just because I told you that you did."
"Oh, no. I just made a executive decision for myself. I thought that you made good points, which made me kind of start to really consider it."
I leave out the part about mom. You always tell girls what they want to hear and that's all.
"Ok, good." she says, relieved.
Some kid I've never seen before walks into the classroom. He has short, red hair, green eyes, and he's a little taller than me. "He must be just delivering a note" I think. But then he plops down in the closest empty seat...must be a new kid.
Mrs. Patterson walks in. "Alright class, it's Friday. That means I have a surprise for you. Pop quiz!"
Every kid in the class groans.
"Let me take attendance first."
She goes through all of the A-G group quick.
"Ethan Harper?"
"Here."
It's the new kid. Ethan. Cool name. Mrs. Pattersonsays he moved here last week from Muskogee. Meanwhile, every kid in class is saying some random word instead of "here" when their name is called. "Taco, rawr, puppy, tangerine, fish stick." The regulars. Not. Real. Comedy. But everyone's laughing. Except for the MDC, Talia, and...
"LEO PRICE"
"Wha-? Oh, here!" I manage. Hm. Must've been a bit distracted.
"Jamal Woods"
"CUDDLEFISH!"
Everyone laughs...except...Ethan Harper. He rolls his eyes.
Whoa. Is this kid not amused? Does he happen to find this comedy stupid?
He sees that I'm not laughing and mouths the words "I know right".
"What," I mouth back.
He mouths his answer.
"Not. Real. Comedy."
YOU ARE READING
Comedy 101
Humor6th Grader Leo Price has always been a comedian. The thing is, he sees comedy differently. He prefers witty and sarcastic comedy, not gross and stupid comedy. And with the school talent show coming up, now is his time to prove that he is the funnies...
