Bobby the Brave (Sometimes) by Lisa Yee Page A

play football as well as Annie, he’d do the same thing so everyone would know that he was important. At her last football game, the entire Ellis-Chan family sat in the bleachers and cheered as Bobby’s big sister completed pass after pass.
    â€œEat up, Annie,” her father said, refilling her glass with milk. “You want to bulk up for your game on Friday. When the other team sees you out there passing the ball, they’ll wish they never heard of the Rancho Rosetta High School Tigers!”
    On the walk to school, Bobby was unusually quiet.
    â€œWhat are you thinking about?” Holly asked. She offered him half of her Toasty Oatsie cereal bar.
    â€œNothing,” he said as he munched.
    â€œWorried about Mr. Rainerhaus?”
    â€œYeah,” Bobby admitted.
    â€œIs your dad coming to school?”
    â€œI didn’t even tell him about Mr. Rainerhaus,” Bobby said. “He’d probably get all upset to learn we’re playing football during PE. My dad knows what a loser I am.”
    They silently picked up their pace when they passed the house where the scary cat lived. Cobwebs crowded the windows and the creaky wooden gate was falling apart. Paint peeled off the sides of the house. It seemed ready for Halloween, except that it always looked like that.
    â€œI can’t imagine your dad calling you a loser,” Holly said once they cleared the Halloween house.
    â€œHe doesn’t have to say it,” Bobby replied glumly. “I just know it.”
    Â 
    For once Bobby wished the clock would slow down. He was dreading PE more than he ever dreaded anything in his life. During silent study, Bobby made up a list of things he would rather do than face Mr. Rainerhaus.
    1. Go to the dentist
    2. Eat a bug
    3. Be friends with Jillian Zarr
    4. Get a Mohawk
    Then he crossed out #3 and replaced it with Clean the attic .

    When the dreaded hour for PE finally arrived, Mr. Rainerhaus beamed at him with such intensity that Bobby was momentarily blinded. “Bobby Ellis-Chan, come up front with me,” his teacher instructed. Reluctantly, Bobby did as he was told. “Is your father coming today?”
    â€œNot today,” Bobby answered. His throat was dry.
    â€œWell, maybe another day,” Mr. Rainerhaus said, trying not to look disappointed. He faced the class. “Today we start football, and I’m honored that Bobby has agreed to be my assistant!”
    Bobby shook his head. He hadn’t agreed to help.
    Some of the girls snickered.
    â€œFirst we’ll break into four teams. Bobby, it seems only right that you be a team captain. Volunteers for the other captains?”
    As usual, Jillian Zarr, Jackson, and St. James raised their hands.
    â€œAll righty! Let’s begin. Bobby, you pick first,” Mr. Rainerhaus instructed.
    Bobby had never been a team captain before. Some kids looked directly at him. Others waved. A few jumped up and down. Chess held his hands up as if pleading and gave Bobby the same wide-eyed look Wilbur used when he wanted another dog biscuit.
    â€œChess Kapur,” Bobby said.
    Chess grinned so wide that it took up half his face. As he stepped behind Bobby he whispered, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
    As Bobby expected, Jillian, Jackson, and St. James picked the most athletic kids. When it was Bobby’s turn to pick again, he called out, “Holly Harper.”
    A murmur ran through the class. A girl had never been on a team with the boys before. But the way Bobby figured it, since there were three boy team captains and one girl team captain, some girls would have to be with boys anyway. Holly high-fived with Chess as she took her place behind Bobby. When the last person was called, Bobby’s team included Chess, Holly, Swoozie, Amy and Amelia (two girls Bobby always had trouble telling apart), and Kip, a boy who was semi-famous because in second grade he had broken both wrists in a freak bowling