CHAPTER 1

Don't Call Me Chung King

Michael Kim pulled a pillow over his head, tryingto drown out the buzzing of the alarm clock. He hatedthe sound, but now that he was twelve years old,Dad said it was time to "experience" getting up byhimself. After all, hadn't Dad begun using an alarmclock when he was only eight? Yeah, right! Like I believethat! Grumbling, Michael swung his legs over the sideof the bed, sat up, and smacked the button. He rubbedthe sleep from his eyes.

I wish it was still vacation time. I hate being a newkid at this school. Of all the schools in the world, I get togo to one where there aren't many other Asians. At leastJason and his family are cool. Jason! I've gotta hurry. Hesaid he'd wait with me at the bus stop so those big kidswouldn't pick on me like yesterday

* * *

Michael finished his orange juice in five gulps andknocked over the glass as he put it down. "Oops.Sorry!"

"Michael!"

"It's okay, Mom; it's empty."

"Please, slow down! The bus doesn't come foranother fifteen minutes."

"I know, but I told Jason I'd meet him early. It'sreally important."

"Okay, but promise to watch what you're doing,honey."

"I promise, Mom!" Michael picked up his backpackand raced out the back door. "Bye."

The same kids from yesterday were hanging aroundthe bus stop. Lucky me! I get to ride the bus with themevery day for the rest of my life! Michael slowed hiswalk. Gosh, where is Jason?

"Hey, it's Chung King," a tall boy with blond haircalled out, pointing and laughing at Michael. Thekids with him looked and laughed but didn't sayanything.

"I told you, that's not my name!" Michael snarled.Jason ran up, gasping to catch his breath. "Aw, don'tpay any attention to Chuck. He thinks he's funny, buteveryone else knows he's a jerk."

"How come you're so late?"

"I had to run back for my lunch." Jason hoppedaround pretending to box Michael. "Hey, aren't youexcited about this weekend?" His face was flushedfrom running, and his eyes danced. "I can't wait towork on the fort. It's all I've been thinking about."

Michael bobbed his head and pretended to boxback. "Me too! I hope our parents will let us sleep init when it's finished. That'd be so cool!"

The big yellow school bus clattered up the streetand pulled to a stop. Flashing lights and squealingbrakes caught the boys' attention as the doors hissedopen and folded back.

Michael clambered up the steps with Jason rightbehind him. "Morning, Mrs. Murphy."

"Well, the top o' the mornin' to you both!" Mrs.Murphy's Irish brogue filled the bus.

Michael and Jason took the first empty seats.

"We need to make our fort big enough to fit usand some of our friends—like maybe Joel and Eddie,"Michael declared.

"Yeah, but don't forget Robby. He's cool." Jasongrinned. "But no girls allowed unless we both say it'sokay. Right?"

"Right!"

Reaching school, Michael made Jason wait untilChuck and the older boys were off the bus.

"I'm glad we both go to the same school, even if wearen't in the same class," Jason said as they headed upthe walkway and into school.

"Yeah, me too!"

Mrs. Ballou stood at the doorway to the classroom."Good morning, Michael." She rested a hand on hisshoulder and called out, "Everyone please take a seatand settle down quickly."

Michael looked up. "Is today when you said we'regonna have activity time?"

"Yes, it is, but only if we get all our work done."

"Yippee!" Michael's eyes glowed. "I know exactlywhat I'm gonna make—a diorama of the fort Jasonand I are gonna build with our dads this weekend!"

Mrs. Ballou smiled. "Do we have the materialsyou'll need to make a fort?"

"All I need are Popsicle sticks. Oh, and some glueand a piece of cardboard. The cardboard's gonna be theground, the Popsicle sticks will be the boards, and theglue will be the nails, and maybe I can paint it too."

"That's a fine idea."

* * *

At the end of the day, Michael crammed his booksand homework into his backpack. I can zip up thediorama in my jacket to carry it on the bus. That way, itwon't get broken. He grinned. Joel and Robby liked it, butjust wait until Jason sees it! He's gonna freak.

When Mrs. Ballou excused the class, Joel and Robbyfollowed Michael into the hallway to look for Jason.

"Yo, Chung King!" called a voice from down thehallway.

It was Chuck.

"Don't call me that! I keep telling you. My name isMichael."

The boy laughed and pointed at Michael's jacket."Hey, whatcha got in there, Chung King?"

"Nothing!"

"Nothing? Come on, Chung King! Show me whatchagot in there." He danced around Michael while pattinghim on the head. "Nothing? You sure?"

"Get away from him," Robby insisted.

The boy clapped his hands loudly right underMichael's nose and hip-bumped against him.

"Stop it. It's a diorama, and you're gonna break it."

"What's going on, you guys?" the hall monitordemanded.

"Chuck's picking on Michael, Nicole," Joel said.

Chuck glared at Joel. "Am not! I'm just teasing." Hestared at Michael, unsmiling. "Just having some funwith my little buddy here, right?"

Michael swallowed. I should tell her.

When Michael didn't answer, the girl said, "Chuck,you know better than to fool around in the hallway."She looked at Michael. "You're new, but you needto follow the rules too, or I'll have to put you onreport."

"But Nicole, it wasn't him—" insisted Joel.

"Well, you were all involved, and if it happensagain, I'll put you all on report." She lifted her nose inthe air and adjusted the hall monitor sash across herchest. "It's my job to see that you follow the rules."

Another boy grabbed Chuck's arm. "Hey, comeon. The bus is almost here." Turning to Michael, hesaid, "Hey, kid, don't mind Chuck; he's only kiddingaround."

Michael turned his back. Yeah, right! I'd like to tellstupid Chuck he's not funny. He's just a jerk!

Chuck grinned. "Yeah, Chung King, can't ya takea little joke?"

Michael glared in return.

"Come on." Joel tugged Michael's sleeve. "There'sJason. Let's go show him your fort."

"Yeah! Hey Jason," Robby hollered. "Over here."

Jason looked at the big boys and then back atMichael.

"What's the matter?"

"Chuck's been picking on Michael again," offeredJoel.

"Oh, don't pay any attention to him." Jason put hisarm around Michael's shoulders. "Everyone knowsChuck's a jerk!"

Michael nodded his head, agreeing, and thenremembered the surprise he was holding. "Hey, Jason,wait 'til you see what I've got."

"What?"

"I'll show you on the bus."

"But what is it?"

"A diorama of our fort!"

"Awww, ya told him," Joel cried. "Ya shoulda madehim guess."

"You're kidding. A diorama? Really, Michael?"

"He made it during activity time," Robby said. "Itis so cool."

* * *

As usual, Chuck and his friends crowded to thefront of the line to grab the backseats on the bus.Michael and Jason took their time boarding so theycould sit closer to the front.

Once seated, Michael carefully unzipped the jacket."The glue might not be hard yet, so don't touch it,okay?"

"I won't! Just show me."

Michael lifted the diorama from his jacket.

"Wow!" Jason's eyes went round with excitement."That's so cool! And it's just how we planned it." Heturned partway around in the seat. "You guys want tosee what our fort is gonna look like?"

Robby and Joel peeked over the seat. "Wow! HasEddie seen it?"

"Not yet. Get his attention and tell him to look."Jason turned back around. "Hold it up high so Eddiecan see, Michael."

Eddie stood to see over the seat. "That's so cool!"

Michael laughed, enjoying the attention, andrewrapped the diorama to protect it. When the busstopped, he and Jason stayed seated until the olderboys had left by the rear doors.

"I'm gonna hurry home before something happensto this. See ya tomorrow, Jason."

Racing up the street, Michael entered the housethrough the back door and dropped his backpack onthe floor. "I'm home!"

He opened the jacket on the kitchen table, removingthe diorama carefully. Good. It's still in one piece. Hetraced the outline of the roof with his fingers andgrinned. Wait 'til Dad sees this!

"Hi, honey!" Michael's mom grabbed him frombehind in a bear hug. "How was school?"

"It was good—" Michael frowned. "I guess."

"Just good?" she pressed. "I thought you lovedyour teacher and all the new friends you made thissummer."

"I do."

"Then what's the matter?"

"I don't know." Michael picked at a hangnail.

"Hey, talk to me for a minute. Is it something I canhelp you with?"

"Not really. It's just there's this kid named Chuckthat I don't like."

"Why is that?"

"Aw, he keeps bugging me."

Frowning, his mother asked, "How so, Michael?"

"He keeps calling me `Chung King,' and I don't likeit."

Mom chuckled.

"Mo-om! It's not funny! I really don't like it. Whatdoes it mean, anyway?"

"You're right. I guess it isn't funny to you. I waslaughing because he's teasing you with a Chinesename. Chung King is an old brand name of cannedChinese food."

"Oh brother! I'm Korean, not Chinese!"

"I know, sweetheart, but the boy may not know thedifference between Korean and Chinese or Japaneseor Vietnamese. There aren't many Asians in thiscommunity, and it could be that you're the first Koreanboy he's ever met."

"I don't care; I still don't like it. He wouldn't like itif I did it to him!"

Mom opened a bag of cookies and offered one toMichael.

"I understand. How about telling the boy nicelythat you don't like it?"

"That doesn't work, 'cause I already did tentimes."

"Perhaps you should ignore the boy. If he thinksthe name doesn't bother you anymore, he'll probablystop."

"Not this guy!" Michael sighed. I can't talk to her'cause she doesn't know what a jerk Chuck is. She alwayssays, "Sticks and stones will break your bones, but nameswill never hurt you." But that's not true. Names hurt me,and I hate it.

"Now tell me about what you have here." Shegave Michael's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Did youmake it?"

"Yes, it's the diorama for the fort me and Jason andDad are going to build this weekend."

"Jason and I ..." his mother corrected.

"Yeah, Jason and I." And we're never gonna let Chuckin it either!

CHAPTER 2

Scared

The next morning, Michael wasn't in any hurry tosee Chuck or the other big kids at the bus stop. Hehung out in the garage until Jason showed up and thendashed out.

As always, the big kids pushed to get on the busfirst and took seats in the rear. Mrs. Murphy's deeplaugh filled the bus. "Good mornin', lads."

"Let's sit up front, Jason," Michael said, tugging onJason's sleeve. "And let's always be the last ones off,okay?" Michael felt better sitting near Mrs. Murphy.She was a lot of fun, but she made everyone obey therules too.

"Sure."

When the bus was empty, Jason yelled, "Comeon!" He rushed into the aisle and down the first threesteps ahead of Michael and stopped. They jumpedthe last step together. Mrs. Murphy cranked the doorclosed and pulled away.

A familiar voice startled Michael. "Hey, Chung King,ya trying to hide from me?"

"Go away, and stop calling me that!" Michaelhollered.

Chuck was holding his sides, doubled over laughing."Man, you jumped three feet in the air. Three feet! Youshoulda seen yourself."

"Leave him alone," Jason yelled. "You're notfunny."

"Ha ha ha."

"Michael, why does he always say Chung King?What's that mean, anyway?" asked Jason.

"He thinks I'm Chinese, but I'm not. I'm Korean!"Michael scowled at Chuck and pulled Jason's arm tohurry him along.

"Aw, he's just a jerk. Anyway, what's the differencebetween being Korean or Chinese?" asked Jason.

"It's kind of like how the United States and Canadaare both American countries, but they're different.Korea is an Asian country, like China and Japan andstuff. There's a difference in all of them." Michaelshrugged. "I don't know how to explain it exactly,except my grandparents were born across the oceanin Korea and then came over here to live."

"Mine did too, but from Europe," Jason said. "Mydad says I'm half English and half Irish."

"That's why your skin is white and mine isn't,"Michael said, holding his bare arm up to Jason's.

"Not in the summer; look!" Jason put his tannedarm against Michael's. "We're the same color in thesummer!"

"We're twins." Michael laughed. "But then you'dhave to have different-shaped eyes too."

"I wonder why that is?" Jason studied Michael'seyes. "But who cares?"

"I dunno."

Michael and Jason made it to their classrooms justin time for the bell. Mrs. Ballou flashed a big smile atMichael as he pulled the door closed behind him.

Later in the day, Michael got to thinking aboutChuck. He sure scared me this morning when he jumpedout from behind the bus. I hope he doesn't do anythingthis afternoon. I wish we weren't the first and last stopsand he didn't ride on my bus. It would be more fun ifRobby and Joel were at our stop instead of him.

Just before dismissal, Mrs. Ballou called Michael upto her desk. "Is anything wrong? You were in such ahappy mood this morning, but now something seemsto be bothering you. Is there anything you want totalk about?

Michael hesitated. She'll probably just think I'mdumb 'cause I don't like being called names. "I'm okay,Mrs. Ballou. Thanks." He loaded his backpack slowly,stalling for time.

Jason came to the doorway. "Hurry up, Michael, orwe'll miss the bus."

"I don't want to hurry," Michael whispered. "IfChuck sees me, he'll probably do something again."

"No he won't, 'cause I'll be with you." Jasonshrugged. "Besides, you can tell Mrs. Murphy if hebugs you on the bus."

"No! And don't you tell either!"

"Gosh, Michael, okay. You don't have to get somad."

"I'm sorry, Jason. Let's just forget about it, okay?"

On the bus, Michael and Jason took the seatsbehind Mrs. Murphy, who was watching them in awide rearview mirror.

"Why so glum, chums?"

Michael sank low in his seat. "I'm okay." He felteveryone was looking at them. Luckily, the bus monitorinterrupted Mrs. Murphy and waved her to move on.

"Hey, Michael," Eddie called out. "When're yougonna start building the fort?"

"My dad said we can do it this weekend becauseit's a holiday weekend."

"My dad's gonna help," added Jason.

"Wish we could help." The bus pulled up to astop. "See you, guys!" Robby and Eddie said as theyscrambled out the back door of the bus.

Michael nudged Jason. "Let's get off fast this timeand run up our street before Chuck gets off."

"Sure!"

The bus drew up to the curb, and the boys rushedforward. Michael glanced back at Chuck.

"Slow down, boys," bellowed Mrs. Murphy. "Youaren't going to a fire."

Jason stopped short at her command, and Michaelplowed right into him. They both fell down in theaisle.

"Mother of Mercy, that's exactly why I want you totake your time," Mrs. Murphy said, shaking her head."You boys okay?"

"Yes, Mrs. Murphy. Sorry."

Jason poked his head out of the front bus exit."Hey, he's not here, Michael. He's gone. Come on."

"Who's not there? Is something wrong, Michael?"demanded Mrs. Murphy.

"Nope." Michael grinned at her and stepped out ofthe bus. "Bye, Mrs. Murphy. Thanks."

Jason walked up the street with Michael, relievedthat Chuck was not in sight.

"My dad said we could probably build the fort intwo weekends," Jason said, kicking a stone in the air.

"Yeah, my dad did too. He already cut the windowsand door out of big pieces of plywood. Now all we gottado is put the pieces together. Just like my diorama."

"I wish we could start it right now!"

Michael laughed. "I know. Me too!"

"Agggh! Caught you, Chung King!" Chuck bellowed,jumping from behind a shaggy hedge.

The boys shrieked. Michael dropped his backpackin the street as they ran away, but he was too scaredto go back for it. Looking back, he saw Chuck standingthere laughing, so he kept running.

"H-e-e-e's such a jerk," stammered Jason.

"I told you!" Michael panted, holding his side. Ithurt from running so fast.

"What about your backpack?"

"I'll get it after he's gone."

"But what if he takes it?"

"He better not!" Michael looked back down thestreet.

"You should tell someone."

"No! And don't you either."

"Okay, it's your backpack and your butt when yourparents find out you lost it."

Michael continued around to the back of his houseand opened the kitchen door. He went straight to therefrigerator and opened it. "Hi, I'm home."

His mom sneaked up from behind and planted abig kiss on his cheek. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Mom! I'm a guy," he said, trying to rub the kissoff with the back of his hand.