Read Pirates of Underwhere for Free Online

Ricotta.
    Zeke gave me a look and went outside. I wiped my hands on my jeans.
    â€œUm, Mrs. Ricotta?” I said.
    â€œYes?” She looked up from the papers on her desk.
    â€œI know I said yesterday would be the only time I’d miss practice, but…”
    Her face fell. “Oh, no. You’re not planning to skip another one?”
    I nodded.
    â€œStephanie, you disappoint me. I thought you were committed to the team.”
    â€œI am,” I said. “But…I’ve got other commitments. Family commitments.”
    She folded her hands. “Then I’m afraid you leave me no choice. Our first match is tomorrow. You can’t miss today’s practice and still be on the team.”
    â€œBut—,” I began, and stopped myself. “Whatever you think is fair.”
    Mrs. Ricotta shook her head.
    I bit my lip, and then turned and left the classroom.
    Zeke was waiting outside. “Way to go, Steph!” he said, patting my shoulder. “I knew you’d do what’s right.”
    â€œCan you just not talk to me right now?” I said.
    Heather gave me an accusing stare as I passed. I deserved it.
    Zeke and I found Hector and hurried home. According to my calculations, we had just enough time to outwit the sea serpents, help the Undies take Port Heinie, make it back for the town meeting, and stop the UnderLord.
    If all went well.
    But the way my day was going, happy endings were the last thing I could count on.

CHAPTER 13
Bobby Bob’s Big Surprise
    We popped out of the portal and dashed for home. A kid on a bike saw us leave the construction site. But we couldn’t worry about our secret getting out.
    Caitlyn was waiting when we got home.
    And Caitlyn didn’t like to wait.
    â€œI thought you little smigmotes wanted to go to this meeting!” she yelled as we ran up.
    â€œWe do,” I said.
    â€œ Well, it doesn’t look like it !” Caitlyn bellowed. “In the car! In, in, in !”
    I held up one finger. “Bathroom?”
    â€œAt light speed!”
    I had a funny feeling about the town meeting, so I dashed in, grabbed the Brush, and shoved it into my backpack. I may not be a Boy Scout, but it’s only smart to be prepared.
    All the way to City Hall, Caitlyn groused and groaned. She came up with some new insults to call us. Since I’m a princess, I won’t repeat them.
    A big mob crowded around the building. Caitlyn elbowed her way through to the front row. We followed.
    At the top of the steps stood Mayor Rumley, a round man who looked like a beardless Santa Claus. Something big and lumpy lay covered up on a tabletop beside him.
    â€œAnd here’s the model for the new City Hall Mr. Moxenboxer is buying us,” he said. The mayor pulled a sheet off the miniature building.
    â€œOooh!” went the people. Across the group, Isaw Dr. Prufrock. Even he looked impressed.
    The model had more towers than the Taj Mahal, oodles of pillars, fountains, and a gold-colored roof. This was no city hall; this was a palace.
    Zeke nudged me. “I wish the Undies would build us one of those.”
    â€œHere is the spa and Jacuzzi, and here’s the garage for our new fleet of Mercedes,” said Mayor Rumley, pointing at the model.
    â€œAhhh!” went the audience. Caitlyn scribbled on her notepad.
    â€œAnd now, I’d like to introduce the man who’s making this all possible: Mr. Bobby Bob Moxenboxer himself!”
    Dressed all in green, Bobby Bob bounced up from his seat and approached the podium. He was so short, he disappeared behind it. Mr. Rumley coughed in embarrassment, and then scooted up a chair for him.
    Bobby Bob stood on it and grinned at the crowd. He tipped his ten-gallon hat. “Howdy, friends!” he said.
    â€œHowdy, Bobby Bob,” the people replied.
    â€œHowdy, cheapskate fake coin guy who’s really the UnderLord,” muttered Hector.
    Just then I noticed the two government spies,