Christopher Pepper and The Silver Soda

By Chad Campbell

Christopher Pepper was an average student at James Madison Middle School. His biggest problems were school being too boring and the bullies that harassed him and his best friend Schwags. All that changes when on his 13th birthday he receives a gift certificate to a hidden antiquities shop. There he discovers the silver soda. After drinking the soda he learns that he now gains super powers every time he drinks a soda. Every soda flavor is a different power. Before he can even get use to the fact that he has superpowers, he is thrown into a war that is old as time itself. The only problem is.... He can't let either side win, because if one side wins then the Earth loses.

This book is filled with wonderful illustrations every chapter. It is 240 pages long in paperback.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Conceptualize Publishing
• Release date: Jun 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9780984990214

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Last Day of School

They say that everyone is special, that everyone has a purpose. Do you know how you are special? Do you know what your purpose is? Some people know their purpose from a young age and know exactly what they are meant to do. Others don’t know what makes them special or what their purpose is. They’ll change what they want to do with their lives a million times.

Christopher Pepper was one of the latter. He never knew what his purpose was or what he truly wanted to do most. They say we won’t know our purpose or destiny until it comes for us, and that was certainly true for him. Chris didn’t know what his life held for him until the summer of his 13th birthday. For us to tell his story, we’ll have to start at the beginning. Well, more like the end. The end of school, that is.

It was the last day of school at James Madison Middle School, Chris’s last day of seventh grade. There he was in Mr. Tucker’s history class. He was the kid who looked like he was sleeping. But really he was paying attention, just relaxing his eyes. Christopher Pepper! Would you care to share with the rest of the class what the answer is? Mr. Tucker asked.

Answer to what? Chris replied.

What two rivers have great historical importance in the Middle East?

The Tigris and the Euphrates rivers.

Christopher Pepper, you constantly surprise me. I always think you’re sleeping, but when I ask you a question, you always seem to be paying attention.

Christopher’s been like that ever since he was little. He always acted like he wasn’t paying attention when he really was. Most teachers just thought he had A.D.D. or A.D.H.D, but he was like most kids in school. He just found it boring.

Psst…Hey Chris, his friend Schwags whispered.

What? Chris whispered.

You excited for your birthday tomorrow?

You know me. My birthdays always suck.

Schwags had been one of Christopher’s best friends for the last three years, ever since his family moved to Seattle. His real name was Matthew Schwagler, but everyone called him Schwags. Well you know, you only turn thirteen once. Maybe this year will be different.

Chris and Matt pay attention and stop talking! Mr. Tucker yelled. I know it’s the last day of school, but that doesn’t mean we should take a break from learning.

While Mr. Tucker continued his speech the bell rang. Everyone grabbed their stuff and headed out.

Hey Schwags, just think we have three more classes and we’re done for the year! Chris exclaimed.

What do you think Mr. Taylor has planned for gym today? Schwags asked.

It’s the last day, so it can only be one of two things−dodge ball or kickball, Chris answered as they headed to their lockers to drop off their books before gym class.

After they finished at the lockers, they started walking towards the gym. When they rounded the corner, they ran right into the school bullies− Jackson, Yates, and Davis. Jackson was a short chubby kid with short brown hair and a very round face. He made up for his short stature by picking on everyone around him. Yates was Jackson’s best friend and just a bit smaller than Jackson. He hung out with Jackson because they grew up together and he knew that it was far better to be Jackson’s friend than to be his enemy. Davis was the real reason everyone was afraid of Jackson. Davis was Jackson’s step-brother and the biggest kid in school. In seventh grade he was already over six feet tall and almost as wide as he was tall. No one knew why Davis listened to Jackson and most people were too scared to ask why.

Schwags accidentally bumped into Jackson, knocking him over. Yates and Davis grabbed Schwags and slammed him against the lockers. Jackson got up and was ready to punch Schwags when Mr. Taylor walked by. Get to the gym now boys, Mr. Taylor told everyone as he walked by, keeping his eyes on the boys.

This ain’t over Schwaggles, Jackson sneered as he walked past them.

Wow, that was close, Schwags remarked.

Yeah, let’s get to class, Chris quipped.

The boys headed into gym class where Mr. Taylor stood waiting, Come in class and grab a seat. Since it is the last day of school, we are going to take a vote. You have two choices either kickball or dodge ball! Everyone who wants dodgeball raise your hands.

A little less than half the class raised their hands. Jackson glared at a few of the other kids and soon over half the class had voted for dodgeball.

Now class, most of you know the rules of dodgeball, Mr. Taylor told the class. But for the rest of you who do not know or do not remember, the rules are simple. If you are hit by a ball, you are out. If you catch a ball, the other person is out and one of your teammates is in. Now let’s choose teams. Jackson, you are captain of Team A, and Pepper, you be captain of Team B, Mr. Taylor explained.

Chris walked over next to Jackson, who picked first, I’ll take Davis.

I’ll take Schwags, Chris said.

I’ll take Yates.

That went on until the class was divided into two different teams. Now line up on your sides! Mr. Taylor instructed. Ready, set, GO!

Most of the kids ran up and grabbed a ball. Chris wasn’t like that, he had always been one to wait to see what happened. Plus, he had always been better at catching than throwing. Schwags ran back from the line with a ball, but he didn’t notice Yates, who had chucked a ball right at his head. Chris tried to dive in the ball’s way to catch it, but it hit him right in the side. Crap, Chris yelled, walking over to the sideline.

Language, Mr. Taylor reminded him.

Luckily, he was the first one out. He just had to wait for someone to catch a ball and he would be back in. He watched as Schwags took out Yates and caught a ball from Davis. Yes! Nice Schwags! Chris shouted as he ran back into the game.

Chris grabbed a ball, took a kid out from the other team and then stood defenseless. He watched Jackson take out everyone on their team except for him and Schwags. They each grabbed a ball and got ready to take aim.

Okay Schwags, here is the plan. I am going to throw and leave myself unguarded. As soon as he throws at me, you take him out. Chris explained.

Okay let’s do it. Schwags replied.

Chris ran toward Jackson and threw the ball right at him as hard as he could. Jackson dodged it and got ready to throw a ball right back at Chris when Schwags nailed him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

I am going to kill you, Jackson screamed, running at Schwags.

Now Jackson, settle down, Mr. Taylor shouted, stepping in between them.

The teacher won’t be there forever to save you, Schwaggles! Jackson threatened. Just you wait!

Chris and Matt, why don’t you two head in and get changed while I have a little talk with Mr. Jackson here, Mr. Taylor said.

They headed into the locker room. Chris and Schwags quickly got changed. It wasn’t that they were scared, but some days, like today – the last day of school and right before lunch – you just don’t want trouble.

They headed toward the lunch room. Since it was the last day of school, the cafeteria decided to go all out and get pizza delivered. One of Chris’s favorite things to eat for lunch was pizza, and nothing goes better with pizza then an ice cold soda. He thought it was one of the best meals you could possibly have, it just tasted so good. Schwags grabbed a spot in line for lunch and Chris ran to get them some sodas. After he got the sodas, he met up with Schwags in line. Is your mom going to send you away to any summer camps this year? Schwags asked.

I don’t think so. But you never know with her; every year is different, Chris replied.

Yeah you’ve been to what, YMCA camps, Bible camps, and who knows what other type of camps you’ve been to.

You know, they usually aren’t that bad.

Yeah, last year I went to the YMCA camp with you, and that was so much fun.

They moved along in line until it was finally their turn for pizza. They looked around the lunch room before eventually finding some open seats. I don’t think I’ll have to go to any camps this year because my mom’s been so busy! Chris told him as they sat down. What about you?

You know my parents, they are always way too busy in their own world to think about me, Schwags replied. Schwags’ family was always working, trying to make enough money to get by.

After lunch, the boys were walking to their lockers to get their books for their afternoon classes when they saw Jackson and his boys coming toward them. Oh look, it’s Schwaggles and Chrissy! Jackson shouted. Let’s get him!

Run Schwags! Chris yelled.

They turned and ran down the hallway only to run into a locked door. What? You thought we didn’t know where your locker was? Jackson shouted down the hallway. We knew exactly where you’d be. Now it’s time for payback!

Yates and Davis ran up to Schwags and held him by the arms. Now Chrissy, you just wait there and you’ll be next, Jackson threatened.

Jackson cracked his knuckles, getting ready to slug Schwags in the gut. Chris knew he had to act quickly. He balled up his fist and swung as hard as he could at Jackson’s face. He hit him so hard that it knocked him onto his back, dazing him. Chris turned around and punched Yates in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

Run Schwags! Chris yelled again.

Schwags yanked hard and freed himself from Davis’s grip. Chris watched as he took off, running down the hallway.

Crack! Went Chris’s jaw.

Chris hit the ground hard. He saw that Jackson had recovered from his punch.

What? You thought you had knocked me out, Chrissy? Jackson screamed. I am going to give you four times what you gave me, he said as he kicked Chris in the stomach.

Hold on Jackson. I want some, Yates told him as he got back on his feet.

Chris’s whole body ached. They landed punch after punch, kick after kick.

Bam! The door slammed open.

You four come with me! Principal Prescott shouted. To my office. Now!

He grabbed both Jackson and Yates by the shoulder, with Davis following. Mr. Pepper, don’t think for one second that I didn’t see you start this fight. Principal Prescott scowled. When I said you four I meant it.

Owww, Chris groaned as he stood up, grimacing in pain. But they attacked me and Schwags.

Who?

Matt Schwagler.

Well, where is he?

He ran to get help.

I don’t have time for this. Everyone just get to my office!

They all followed Principal Prescott to his office. Principal Prescott was kind of a confusing person. He had glasses and looked very geeky but was quite athletic and actually coached a few of the school’s sports teams.

Once in his office, the boys took their seats. What am I going to do with you boys? It’s the last day of school. I can’t really suspend you or hold you after school. Principal Prescott looked exasperated. Which of you boys ride the bus to school?

I don’t, Chris replied.

We all take the bus, Jackson replied for his group.

That makes this easy for me. Jackson, Yates, and Davis, you head to detention. You boys are to stay there until the final bell rings. Christopher, you stay right here, Principal Prescott instructed.

Jackson, Yates, and Davis left the office, laughing and joking. They weren’t going to detention, and as far as they were concerned, they had gotten off easy.

Christopher, I am going to call your father. Will you dial his number for me, please?

Chris never knew his father growing up. His mother had said he died before Chris was even born. She always seemed to get so down whenever he was brought up, and because of that, Chris never really asked a lot of questions. He just knew his father wasn’t there and was never coming home. When people asked about him, Chris always tried to do the opposite of what his mother did by acting like it never bothered him. He took a breath and answered, My father’s dead.

I am so sorry. I didn’t know. Well, is your mother around?

Chris grabbed the phone and dialed his mother’s number, then handed the phone to Principal Prescott. His mother was a dentist who had a practice downtown. He knew she was going to be more annoyed by receiving the call then actually mad at him. Chris knew his mom trusted him.

Hello Mrs. Pepper, this is Principal Prescott. Yes he is okay. The reason I am calling you is that I’m afraid your son has been involved in a fight, which I believe he started. I figured the best punishment would be for me to send him home without getting his yearbook and signatures. If this is okay with you, I will need you to come get him. Oh, you can’t? You live nearby, don’t you? Would you be okay with him walking home? I will send him on his way. Thank you, and have a good day.

He hung up and looked at Chris and said, Okay son, you are to go to your locker, clean it out, and then head home.

Yes sir, Chris replied, and walked out of the principal’s office. Some days Chris thought he was the unluckiest kid in the world. When he got to his locker, he was putting in his combination when someone grabbed him. I gotcha now, the familiar voice said.

Chris turned to see Schwags laughing at him. Not funny, he yelled at him, punching him in the shoulder.

Are you okay? What happened?

After you ran off, Jackson got back up and knocked me to the ground and then they kicked me until Principal Prescott came and saved me. Then he blamed me for starting the whole fight and told me I had to go home.

Wow some punishment. Hahahaha.

I know. It still sucks because I can’t get my yearbook and get it signed by everyone.

Yeah, that does suck. At least you get a half-day! Hey, I gotta get back to class. I’ll see you tomorrow!

Later!

Schwags walked off while Chris finished packing his backpack. He threw it over his shoulder and started walking home, almost beginning to feel carefree. What he didn’t realize at the time was that his life over the course of the next few days was going to be totally flipped upside down.

Chapter 2

The Party

Christopher woke up the next day feeling very groggy and sore from the beating that Jackson and his friends had given him. He slid out of bed, stood up, and almost fell back down onto his bed. He walked out of his room and headed down the stairs. On the third to last