At school, Mr. Feeny organized the stack of papers at his desk. "I have graded last week's geography examination." He walked over to Minkus's desk. "And the highest score was achieved by-"

"Minkus," Cory cut off Mr. Feeny. "Was it achieved by Minkus? Does it go to Minkus? Minkus, right?"

Mr. Feeny ignored him. "Mr. Minkus."

"Oh my!" I fake gasp.

"That's a shock," Cory added.

"Thank you, Mr. Feeny," Minkus said as I already hand Shawn a crumpled up paper ball. "Your bonus question was a real stumper." Shawn tossed the paper ball in the back of his head. "Ow." 

Mr. Feeny handed back exams. "Miss Owens, excellent. Mr. Baker, very nice." He went to my desk. "Well done, Ms. Cooper."

I look at my paper. All right!

"What did you get, Betts?" Shawn asked.

I show him my paper. "B+," I answer.

Mr. Feeny went up to Cory. "Mr. Matthews...Well, there it is."

Cory looked at his paper. "A 'C'? But I actually studied for this test. Why did I get a 'C'?"

"Oh boy," I groan. "Here we go." 

Mr. Feeny looked through Cory's paper. "Let's see. Where to begin. Well, for one thing, Mr. Matthews this section of the map is not East Germany."

"It's not?"

"Perhaps you heard of a little incident with the Berlin Wall?"

"Was that during baseball season?" 

I spoke up. "Cor, there is no East Germany anymore."

"But the textbook says it's right next to West Germany," Cory said, showing the map. 

"Yes, well, the textbook also says that Alaska and Hawaii will make fine states someday," Mr. Feeny said. "Things change, Mr. Matthews. Unfortunately, the Board of Education doesn't have the funds to keep up," he said, giving out Shawn's paper. 

"Then how am I supposed to keep up?" 

"Watch the news. Pay attention in class." I hand Shawn the paper airplane I created from my binder. "Look at the mimeographs I give you before you turn them into paper airplanes."

Just as he said that, Shawn threw my airplane at the back of Minkus's head who just said, "Ow." 

"What good would it do?" Cory questioned. "They keep changing geography. Why can't it be like all the other subjects?" He continued. "Math: two plus two is always four. Uh, Science: the Earth always goes around the Sun. History: Lincoln always gets shot in the head."

"Lincoln got off easy," Mr. Feeny remarked causing me to snicker. "All right, heads up. In these last few moments of class I want to make an announcement about this year's regional geography tournament. As some of you may know, for the past five years I have always fielded a champion and I expect to do the same this year." I was listening, but Shawn kept nudging to join in playing Rock, Paper, Scissors. "So, based on his outstanding scholastic achievement I have selected as this year's entrant-"

Cory cut off Mr. Feeny like last time. "Minkus. Have you selected Minkus?"

"Mr.Minkus," Mr. Feeny said. "And this year's first prize will be-" 

"A Mercator projection pull-down wall map?" Minkus asked, excitedly. 

I fake cough to Shawn and Cory. "Nerd Alert." This got them laughing.

"No," Mr. Feeny answered. "Uh, This year's winner will be bat boy at the opening game of the World Series."

My head shot up at this as Minkus said, "Oh..."

"Did you hear that?" Cory asked me and Shawn. 

"Yeah. So?" Shawn asked. 

"Shawny, Cor is seeing some kind of..." I trail off. "Opportunity."

"I'm seeing my dream come true here, guys," Cory said.

Shawn scoffed as I rolled my eyes. "Oh, right. Like Feeny's going to take you to the geography tournament. You didn't even know they tore down the Berlitz Wall."

"Actually, it's the-" I began to cut myslef off from correcting Shawn. "Nevermind." The bell rang, dismissing us. I gather my stuff, walking outside of the classroom. As I saw Shawn walk out, I grab his hand, stopping him in his tracks. "And where do you think you're going, Mr. Hunter?" I ask.

"Um, home, Ms. Cooper," he answered.

"No, you're not," I say, pulling him to the side.

"Why not?"

"Because I know Cory and I know he's going to drag us into some crazy plan."

"Wll, Betts, if you want to get specific, I'll just go with it and I'll just drag you with me, like always."

I roll my eyes. "Why am I friends with you guys again?"

"Because we're the Golden Trio."

I make a face. "The what?"

"The Golden Trio. Zack calls us that. Or the Three Amigos. Or-"

"I'll stick with The Golden Trio," I tell him.

Mr. Feeny left and eventually so did Cory. "Hey, guys I need your help."

I look to my friend. "Told you so, Shawn."

***

Later, Shawn convinced me to take Minkus hostage along with Cory and Ellis. We enter the Matthews home, I stayed behind as Shawn and Cory dragged Minkus in.

"Hi, Mrs. Matthews. Hi, Eric," I greet.

"Mom, have you met my good friend Minkus?" Cory questioned in a cheery tone. 

"Hi, Betty. It's nice to meet you, Minkus," Mrs. Matthews greeted. 

"Call my mother," he quickly said.

"What?"

"He's a little nervous, Mrs. Matthews," Ellis said as we brought Minkus upstairs.

"We're gonna take him upstairs now," Cory stated.

"Two, seven, eight, four, two," Minkus called out. "It's the only Minkus in the book."

We finally made it to Cory and Eric's room. "I'm glad you could come over, Minkus," Cory said.

Minkus sat on his bed. "Real nice to be here. Can I go now?" 

"Minkus, just chill," I tell him.

"I don't understand what that means."

"It means that 1 out of every 4 people is a nerd," Shawn added. "So when you look around this room and you don't see one, you're it."

"But we can help you change," Cory added. 

"Maybe I like how I am," Minkus said.

"You like everyone always making fun of you, Stuart?" I ask, calling him by his first name for the first time. 

"No," he answered.

"You like always being the last one picked for teams?" Cory questioned. 

"No."

"You like everyone pulling your underwear up your butt all the time?" Shawn asked.

"It's not so bad," he answered after a moment making me grimace.

"Minkus, let us help you," Cory said.

"We're here for you, man," Shawn told him.

"It's early in the year. You can still change your image."

Minkus sat up straight on the bed. "What do I do?" 

"The geography tournament you don't want to do it."

Shawn nudged me to say something. "It'll brand you for life," I sigh, giving Shawn a look. 

"But I love geography," Minkus replied. "I'm drawn by the adventure and exoticism of it. Hey. Perhaps you fellows would like to join the Future Cartographers of America Club with me."

Ellis placed a hand on Minkus's shoulder. "Let it go, man."

"If I don't do the tournament, will you guys like me?"

Cory and me had different answers.

"No."

"Sure, why not?"

Minkus sat back on the bed again. "Then I don't see what's in it for me."

"All right, name your price, you little creep," Shawn remarked.

"When you guys play Bombardment could you not aim the ball at my head anymore?"

"Deal," Cory agreed.

Ellis stood up. "What's the point of playing if we can't throw the ball at his head?" 

I place a hand on his shoulder. "Let it go, man."

***

The next day after school, turns out Mr. Feeny is taking in Cory to learn for this Geography tournament. Me, Shawn and Ellis went to Cory's for all of us to go to the park. One problem...Cory was studying too hard.

"I thought we were going to the park?" Ellis complained. 

"Come on, man, you're studying too much," Shawn added. "The teachers are starting to notice."

"Yeah, they're calling you a good student."

"They're saying you have potential."

"Because it's so bad if Cory turns out to be a good student," I reply, sassily, tossing a ball which apparently they didn't get.

"See?" Ellis motions to me.

"Even Betty gets it!" Shawn exclaimed.

I roll my eyes, face palming myself.

"Wow!" Cory exclaimed. "The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are only 50 miles apart Death Valley and Mount Whitney. I find that extraordinary."

My eyes widen. "What the heck have you done to my best friend?"

"Extraordinary?" Shawn questioned.

"He's mutating, man," Ellis said.

Me and Shawn share a look, silently communicating. Without a word, I hand the ball to Shawn who tossed the ball at the back of Cory's head.

Just like Minkus, all Cory said was, "Ow."

I rest my head against Shawn's arm. "Oh no," I mutter.

Then Minkus came, wearing something old Minkus would never wear. "Hey, dudes and dudette. What's up?"

I let out a quiet scream, burying my face in Shawn's back, throwing my arms around him. "My eyes!"

"Too weird for me," I heard Ellis say.

"I'm out of here," Shawn said, while dragging me out of the Matthew's backyard since my arms were still around him.

***

After going to the park, I went home. Mom was off early so we had to do laundry.

"So that's how my day went," Mom finished off the story of the customer who spilled soup on her.

"Yikes," I say, folding a shirt. "A lot worse than my day."

"What happened?"

"Cory wants to compete in the Geography tournament at school."

Mom sighed. "If I know that kid well, then I know he's doing it for something in return."

"He is. The prize is to be be bat boy at the opening game of the World Series."

"And how's he doing?"

"The teachers are starting to notice him, but now he has his head buried in a map."

"At least he's trying."

I nod, but I notice it was too quiet in the house. "Mom,  where's Zack?"

"He went out to play baseball with his friends."

"Oh, do you know when he's coming home?"

"I'd say-"

The front door opened and slammed revealing my brother. "Why do you have to friends with Matthews?" Zack whined.

"About now," Mok finished.

I roll my eyes. "Why? What's the problem?" I ask.

"I ran into Shawn and did you know Mr. Feeny is picking him to compete in a tournament. And if he wins, he get be bat boy at the opening game of the World Series?"

"I did."

"And you didn't tell me when Mr. Feeny was looking for someone who isn't Minkus?"

"Like you will ever study in your life."

I earned a nudge from mom. "Elizabeth!"

"I very well could!" Zack replied.

"I tried to teach you to study for a math test and you went unconsious as soon as I started talking."

"That's because...you have a very boring voice. So there."

I gasp, offended. "I do not!"

"You do too and you can't say you don't!" He replied, running upstairs.

I look to Mom. "Can I go kick his butt now?"

"No butt kicking tonight," Mom answered. "You have school tomorrow."

***

Hi!

I know this chapter was short, but next episode there will be more Bawn.