Heidi Heckelbeck couldn’t wait for the Brewster second-grade science fair. Science experiments were the next best thing to mixing magic potions.

  “We find out our science partners today,” said Heidi as she and Bruce Bickerson bounced along in their seat at the back of the school bus. “I hope I don’t get Melanie Maplethorpe.”

  “Same here,” Bruce said. “I wouldn’t want to get her best friend, Stanley Stonewrecker, either.”

  “Make a fist for good luck,” said Heidi.

  They both made a fist.

  “Pound it,” said Heidi.

  Bruce pounded his knuckles with Heidi’s.

  But it didn’t seem to do any good. When their teacher, Mrs. Welli, announced science partners, Heidi got Stanley and Bruce got Melanie.

   

 

  “Poor thing,” said Lucy Lancaster, who had gotten Charlie Chen.

   

 

  “You’re lucky you got Charlie,” said Heidi. “He’s nice AND smart.”

  Mrs. Welli asked everyone to sit with his or her partner. Heidi didn’t budge. I’d rather sit next to an egg-salad sandwich than Stanley Stonewrecker, she thought. Stanley set his chair next to Heidi’s and sat down. Heidi wanted to stick her tongue out at him, but she didn’t.

   

 

  “Now it’s time to pick a science experiment,” said Mrs. Welli. “I have a list to choose from—or you can come up with your own.”

  She handed a stack of papers to Melanie to pass out.

   

 

  “You have two days to choose an experiment,” Mrs. Welli said. “The science fair is the following Saturday. Be ready to show your experiment to the judges. You’ll also need to explain what happened and why on note cards.”

  Melanie dropped the list of science experiments on Heidi’s desk.

  “I’ll bet you were behind all this, weren’t you?” asked Melanie.

  “Behind all what?” asked Heidi.

   

 

  “Behind you getting my best friend for a partner and me getting your ding-dong friend,” Melanie said.

  “I’d say it pretty much stinks for all of us,” said Heidi.

  “Well, at least for once we agree on something,” said Melanie.