Chapter 21: Laid Off

A few days later as their school bus pulled up in front of the Hawthorne House, Matt and Gerallt were having a good-natured argument about which of Matt's games was the best. Matt preferred to play alien first-person shooters, while Gerallt really liked the car-racing games.

"Hey, you two," Gwyneth said, as she walked past the boys. "You'd bettah pay attention if you don't want a long walk home."

Looking up, the boys noticed where they were and rushed down the aisle to the laughter of the students still on the bus. Tina was already inside her front door, and Gwyneth and Gareth were halfway to Hawthorne House by the time Gerallt and Matt got off. They were still deep in discussion as Matt opened his front door, and they went in.

The boys were on their way upstairs to Matt's room when they heard his father call. "Matt, could you come down here, please?"

Matt and Gerallt walked back to the Mitchell's small dining room where they saw Matt's father and sister sitting at the table.