• Morgan, Chelsey, Danielle, and Sarah scarfed down their lunches. The school-wide dodgeball tournament was about to begin, and they were ready to win it! After a few minutes, nothing was left on the table except for a few crumbs and the girls had already darted out of the cafeteria.

    "We're going to win, aren't we girls?" asked Chelsey.

    "Yep!" Sarah piped up. "I used ta play soccer, so I'm pretty fast!"

    "I can't really throw a ball, but I sure can dodge! My small size lets me dash around the playing field like a speeding bullet!" exclaimed Morgan excitedly. "I also can catch pretty well if I have to. I remember in PE when we were playing dodgeball. I was the last person left on the team, and I was the worst thrower in the class. Even worse, the last person on the other team was Ryan. He probably was the best thrower in the sixth grade, other than Kyle. I was leaping around, all the while wishing it would be over, and my team was yelling at me. I stopped for a moment, and Ryan threw at me. It seemed to go in slow motion. The ball was right in front of me, I grabbed it in my arms, and was slammed back into the wall from the force of the throw. It was such an epic scene that really only lasted for about half a second. And Ryan was out, because I managed to catch one of his cannon-balls! I swear, they're like bombs! My team was cheering and..."

    Morgan went on like this for a while, and Danielle was nodding her head in acknowledgment. Danielle was usually a quiet person, but was very kind. Finally, the girls reached the gym.

    "Take a seat boys and girls, the tournament is about to begin!" announced Principal Shafer. "At the door, you received a handout with the list of teams on it. You may want to check what team you're on before we start, otherwise you'll have to sit out!"

    Sarah looked down and saw that she was on the Green Team. "Kewl! I love green! It's meh favorite color!" she exclaimed.

    "Please don't talk like that, Sarah," Morgan scoffed. "No offense, but it really bothers me." Morgan looked at her handout and smiled. She was on the Blue Team. Secretly, she was glad that Sarah wasn't on her team. Sarah wasn't the best dodgeball player in the world, but Morgan didn't want to hurt Sarah's feelings. Sarah was a good friend. So Morgan turned to Chelsey. "I'm on the Blue Team. What team are you on, Chels?" she asked.

    "Lemme check," replied Chelsey. She looked over the handout and frowned. "I think I'm on the Purple Team. But that can't be right, can it? The principal knows we're BFFs."

    Danielle scooted over and said, "Well, I'm on the Yellow Team. I guess they just put the teams out randomly."

    "Ooh, ooh! I know! Let's vow not ta hit each other!!!" exclaimed Sarah.

    Chelsey thought over what Sarah had said. "Okay. That sounds like a good idea. High-fives everyone!" The four girls high-fived excitedly. Nothing could stand in the way now!

    "Quiet down please," announced Principal Shafer. "The tournament is starting right now!"

    continued in part 2