The Nerdy Dozen by Jeff Miller Page A

together.
    Jones turned to his men. “Wells, Lopez, let’s show them how it’s done.”
    At the sound of another horn, the two attacked the course. They gracefully slithered through the dangling tires, hopped over and went under the wooden planks with ease, and traversed the murky water with calculated swoops of their arms. In just one step, they jumped the trench and grabbed the top of the wall with only one arm each, hoisting themselves up in a single motion. Then, together, they rattled the metal bell with force as Jones punched the stopwatch in his hand. He looked like a proud father. Neil felt light-headed just seeing it all happen.
    â€œNot your best, gentlemen. But still impressive. Now, recruits, it’s your turn. I need to see hustle. Please don’t take longer than ten minutes. Otherwise I’m retiring.”
    The six kids began shaking their wrists to loosen up, some pulling their arms across their bodies in an attempt to stretch. But then, without warning, the sound of the starting horn filled the room again.
    â€œ Go! ” Jones yelled, his voice hoarse.
    The crew dived headfirst for the tires, most of them whining as their faces scraped against the rigid, unforgiving rubber. Neil was skinny, though, and managed to snake his way through. Pretend it’s a video game , he told himself as he slithered through the last tire and stumbled forward. Just keep going.
    Neil risked a quick glance back and saw that Jason 2 was right behind him, stuck diagonally in the tires and squirming in frustration. Neil grabbed Jason’s outstretched hand and gave a quick tug. As Jason’s legs pulled free, Neil noticed a full-body spandex bodysuit underneath his uniform. It was green, sparkly, and skin-tight, like a superhero costume of some kind.
    â€œThanks,” Jason 2 gasped as he wobbled out.
    â€œIs that a costu—” Neil started to ask, but Jason 2 cut him off.
    â€œShh!” He placed a long, bony finger to his lips and then took off ahead, leaving Neil in his wake. Neil looked up to see Jason 1 waving him on.
    Neil frowned in concentration and started on the boards. He rolled under the first and then jumped over the next, continuing as the boards slowly grew lower and higher in comparison to the ground.
    The recruits stuck together as they made their way through the course, helping one another through the toughest parts, and eventually, they all gathered before the murky water, catching their breath and studying what lay before them.
    â€œCannonballlll!” Jason 2 suddenly yelled, and took a running jump into the gross-looking water, splashing all over Trevor. That’s one way of doing it , Neil thought with a smile as he hopped onto the monkey bars above the water. With Sam, Trevor, and Biggs at either side, Neil moved forward slowly, the skin from his hands peeling against the rough metal of the bars, his bony knees knocking together like human wind chimes.
    Finally, they all stood in front of the giant trampoline that they needed to jump on to cross the muddy ditch below. “Me first!” Jason 1 shouted, launching himself off the trampoline. But his jump was too short, and he landed headfirst in the deep pit of mud. Laughing, Trevor started up next, only to fall like a flailing sack of potatoes and land next to Jason 1.
    One by one, the rest of the recruits all tried to jump across, but no one seemed to have enough leg strength for a big-enough leap. “Come on, recruits!” Jones was yelling, his face red. But after Biggs failed miserably at a Fosbury Flop approach, Neil found himself the only recruit left standing on unmuddy ground.
    This is your chance , Neil told himself. You make this and you’re in that plane. Maybe even a pilot.
    Neil bounced up and down on his tiptoes, then took a running start. He pushed off the trampoline with all his might, his legs extending behind him as he flew like a gazelle over the trench full of mud-soaked