BSC059 - Mallory Hates Boys (and Gym) - Martin, Ann M.

    Chapter 1.

    "Pandemonium!" I cried as I stepped into our rec room. "Utter pandemonium!" None of my brothers and sisters even turned around. They were all too busy creating pandemonium.

    Pandemonium was a new word in the vocabulary builder section of my English textbook. We'd just learned it in class that afternoon. The minute I saw the word, I knew it was one I'd have many chances to use. (I love it when 1 find a really great new word.) Pandemonium means: wild uproar and noise.

    That's the Pike house, all right! Uproar and noise. I'm used to that, though. 1 don't have much choice since I have seven younger brothers and sisters. In fact, "uproar and noise" is the general state of things on most days.

    Today was no different than usual. I was the last one home from school, and the kids were spread all over the rec room. Vanessa was lying on the rug watching a rock video. Claire had strewn pieces of her picture puzzle across the floor. Mar go was loudly practicing a cheerleading cheer (even though she is not a cheerleader). The triplets were having a game of monkey-in-the-middle with a small orange Nerf ball. And Nicky was making weird noises with a speaker he'd just bought. (The speaker has three settings: loud, robot voice, and baby voice. When you speak into it, the speaker changes your voice any way you want. If s actually kind of cool.) "This place is complete pandemonium!" I repeated, mostly because no one had paid any attention to me the first time.

    "A panda?" inquired five-year-old Claire, looking up from her puzzle.

    "No, not a panda. Pandemonium/' I told her as I wiggled out of my backpack. "It means - " "It sounds like a sickness," eight-year-old Nicky chimed in, putting down his speaker. He clutched his throat and bulged his eyes. "Help! I've got pandemonium. Call a doctor!" He spun around the room a few times before flinging himself on the floor.