The Toothache in My School

By Carlos Hernandez

Charlie Nada and the students of Sundale Elementary never had any trouble playing by the rules. But when Dennis Bennett moved into town, he bought his own set of rules with him. This new tough guy with the souped-up huffy, bullied his way through numerous children before fixing his sights on poor Charlie. Being bullied is something no child should experience. Charlie never has until now, so how will he handle it? Will he stick to what he had always been taught: "No one has the right to put their hands on anyone else." Can he? Hold on for this gripping ride. It's a fun one!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645845003

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The Toothache in My School

Carlos Hernandez and Kevin Murray

Copyright © 2019 Carlos Hernandez and Kevin Murray

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-64584-499-0 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-64701-271-7 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-64584-500-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter One

The day started out like it does for millions of fifth graders everywhere. In some cases, it’s with loud, rapid knocking on the bedroom door… In others, a tug or a poke of some kind… Sometimes, it’s the rush of sunlight flooding the room from behind curtains that are abruptly drawn open. There are so many different ways. But in every case, afterward, it’s flush, wash, brush and comb. Almost always in that order.

After putting on his shorts, sneakers, and favorite Astro’s jersey, Charlie grabbed a handful of laffy taffy from his dresser drawer and shoved them into his backpack. His appetite for sweets was king-size, and banana laffy taffy was a favorite remedy. With his early morning routine complete, Charlie ran downstairs to the kitchen, which was abuzz with morning activity.

He rummaged through a cupboard and exchanged good mornings with Mom who was tending to some sizzling bacon on the stove; Dad who was reading the morning paper at the kitchen table, and his younger sister, Mia, who was frantically shoving her hand into a box of Cap’n Crunch searching for a mood ring.

Mom’s daily briefing was underway, reminding every one of the day’s appointments and upcoming special events, like the county fair, which opened this Sunday after church. Dad’s Q and A followed. It was his way of keeping up-to-date with test scores and assignment grades.

With a warmed-blueberry pop tart in one hand and his book bag slung over his shoulder, Charlie kissed his mom goodbye. He high fived his dad who held out his hand without looking up from the newspaper, then playfully nudged his sister saying see ya, M before rushing out the door.

Charlie, a short slender kid with wavy brown hair and fair skin, jumped off the porch and made his way toward the school bus stop just up the street from his house. As he neared, he could see Andrew, Kyle, and Hubbs among the dozen or so students waiting there. Andrew and Kyle Turner were brothers. They live in a stone house around the corner from Charlie. Andrew and Charlie have been friends since they were three years old. Kyle always looked up to his brother and though he was