ONLI NEWEEKLYSERI ALSTORY
The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 3
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Chapter 4: A Hard Decision Jake walked home from school with Benjie. He hardly seemed to notice his younger brother. When they got home, he tossed his backpack in the hall. “Do your homework, Benjie,” said Jake, without much enthusiasm. “Then you can watch T.V. in the kitchen. Mom will be home at 5:30.” “What are you going to do? “ asked Benjie. “Don’t you have homework too?” “I have to go next door to see Jeremy about something.” “You aren’t supposed to leave me alone,” Benjie reminded him. “Benjie, It’s just for a minute,” said Jake with exasperation. “You can take care of yourself for a little while.” Benjie sighed and headed off to the kitchen. Jake knocked on Jeremy’s door. His friend answered quickly. “Hey, Jake, come see my new
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The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 3
video game. I’ d like to have someone to play against.” Jake shook his head. “I’m watching Benjie, but I need to talk with you about something. “Sure,” said Jeremy. He shut the door and sat down on the front steps. “What do you want?” “Well,” said Jake, uneasily. “It’s about what happened at school today.” He stopped, unsure of how to proceed. “What do you mean?” said Jeremy. “You know, about Mrs. Boynton and the spelling test. I mean, you and I both know that you were the one who cheated.” “No way!” exclaimed Jeremy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Yes, you do. I looked over and you were looking at your hand and copying a word. You saw me looking at you and gave me a warning sign.” “Listen, my friend,” said Jeremy. “Look at my hand. Do you see any words on it? If you accuse me, it will be my word against yours, and there’s no proof.
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Besides, my dad would ground me practically forever if I cheated.” “Then you did cheat!” said Jake. “I never said that! Let’s just stop talking about this. End of conversation!” And with that, Jeremy went back in the house and slammed the door. Jake went back to his own house. He went into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He could hear the T.V. in the family room. Soon he heard his mother’s car in the driveway. She opened the back door and came in, carrying a bag of groceries. “There’s one more bag, Jake. Could you get it for me?” When Jake returned with the second bag, his mother was holding a half-‐finished math paper in her hand. “What’s this, Jake?” she said. “Why is Benjie watching T.V.? He hasn’t finished this yet. Benjie!” she called out to her son. Benjie shuffled into the kitchen.“Benjie, turn off the T.V. and sit down and finish this homework now. You know the rule.” Benjie did as he was told, but went out muttering. “It’s not my fault. Jake left me alone.”
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The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 3
“You what?” said his mother, turning to Jake. “Where have you been?” “I just went next door to see Jeremy for a minute. I was back in five minutes.” “Jake, you know the rules,” she said. “I have to be able to trust you, Jake.” “Sorry,” said Jake, absent-‐mindedly. “Mom, can I talk to you about something.” His mother stopped and looked at him with concern. “Sure, Jake. Let’s sit down here. She noticed that Benjie was back, heading for the cookie jar. “Benjie, take this paper upstairs and don’t come down until you are finished.” “But, Mom,” began Benjie. “Go now!” As Benjie left, she sat down at the table and turned to Jake. “O.K., Jake,” she said in a softer voice. “What’s bothering you?” Jake explained the situation with Jeremy and the spelling test. “I just don’t know what to do. I tried to talk to him, but he denies it. He said it would be
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The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 3
my word against his. If we don’t get this straightened out, we have to call off all our activities, including our talent and craft fair. But I don’t want to tell on a friend.” “Loyalty is indeed one of the signs of a true disciple. I admire that in you. But what will happen if you are silent?” “Everyone will suffer,” said Jake. “But I’ll feel like a real jerk if I tell. I wish I hadn’t seen what I saw!” “But you did, Jake. And what will happen if Jeremy gets away with cheating? You really do have a big decision to make. Pray about it tonight. Then let’s talk in the morning and you can tell me what you intend to do.” __________ TIME TO VOTE
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