Toby Walker knew all about trouble. He knew more about trouble than he knew about Math and English. He even knew more about trouble than he did about football. So when he heard Miss Cribble talking to another teacher outside the Art room, he knew exactly what it meant - more trouble.

Of all the days to come in early, why did she have to choose today? He'd be sprung as soon as she came in. And it's not like he had a good reason to be in the Art room before school. Well, not a reason Miss Cribble would think was good. She probably wouldn't even believe him if he told her the real reason anyway. She'd just think he was up to no good.

"I'll be dragged up to the principal's office again," groaned Toby. "For the second time this week. And it's only Tuesday!" He rolled his eyes. It's not that he was bad. At least, he never meant to be. I guess Dad's right; I just don't stop and think.

Well, he certainly hadn't thought this plan through properly. He was trapped. It had seemed so easy last night. Just sneak into the Art room early, put the card and present in Jess's desk, and sneak out again.

It was easier to put it in her desk than to give it to her in person. He wasn't usually shy, but whenever he was around Jess, his mind went blank and everything came out all jumbled. He didn't want to risk sounding like an idiot by saying something stupid like Jappy Hirthday Bess. His face felt hot just thinking about it. The carefully wrapped gift in his hand became soggy with sweat. Not that it mattered now; there was no time to put it in Jess's desk anyway.

He heard Miss Cribble laugh and say goodbye to the other teacher. The doorknob started to turn. He looked around in a panic. At the back of the room was the huge mural the art class had been working on all year. He leapt behind it just as Miss Cribble came through the door.

Phew, that was close, thought Toby, wiping his forehead. He crouched down between all the paint tins and brushes and stuff. He wasn't very comfortable, but at least he was out of sight. The only problem now was that he was stuck there until the end of the lesson, which meant he would miss his Math class. He screwed up his face. So I'm going to get into trouble anyway. I can't win!

The room was dead quiet - all he could hear was Miss Cribble turning pages now and then. He tried to keep his breathing slow and even so she wouldn't hear him.

To keep track of time, Toby started counting in his head how many times he could count slowly to 60. He figured there should be about ten minutes until the start of classes. Sure enough, he'd just counted his tenth 60 when the bell rang. Soon the sound of kids laughing and talking filled the room. He took some deep breaths before they quieted down for the start of the lesson.

Jess's desk was in the back row, just in front of Toby's hiding spot. His hand closed tighter around the present as he thought about her. He wasn't even all that sure she liked him. After all, she was really brainy, and never in trouble. Toby didn't think she had ever been sent out of a class before. Why would she like someone like me, who practically has his own chair in the principal's office, he wondered.

But I keep catching her watching me, his hopeful side argued. That's got to be a good sign, doesn't it?

Unless she's just staring at all of my freckles, trying to work out if there's a face underneath, answered his doubtful side.

Aaarghh! Toby shook his head and forced himself to think about Saturday's football game instead.

The minutes dragged by even slower than detention minutes did. Toby's left leg had gone to sleep but he wasn't game to wiggle it. One wrong move and paint tins would be clattering everywhere. Miss Cribble droned on and on about some painter guy who chopped his own ear off. What a whacko. He closed his eyes. I'll get chopped up too if I don't come up with a good reason for missing Math.

"Hey Jess, did you see Kirby Parker this morning? He was totally checking you out, I reckon he's got the hots for you!"

Toby's eyes flew open. That was Sarah, Jess's best friend. He held his breath and waited for Jess's answer.

"Yeah, I noticed. He sure ranks high on the cute-o-meter, doesn't he? Of course-"

"Jessica Bromhill, pay attention please."

"Sorry Miss Cribble,"

Jess's words burned in Toby's ears. He felt as though he'd been punched in the stomach. What a waste of time, he thought. All this trouble, and it's for nothing. She likes Kirby Parker, not me. He flicked his finger on his forehead. Dead rats to Kirby Parker, dead rats to this boring class, and dead rats to the stupid one-eared painter. Thank goodness he hadn't put the present in Jess's desk. That would have been soooo embarrassing!

How much longer could this stupid class go for?

His leg was totally numb now, and the smell from the paint was starting to make him dizzy. He wanted to scream. Instead, he imagined all the ways he could get rid of Kirby Parker. He could tie him to a tree and leave him for the buzzards. Or take him fishing and throw him overboard. Or just pack him into a suitcase and send him off to Siberia. Of course he couldn't really get rid of Kirby - but thinking about it made him feel better.

Once he had run out of ideas for Kirby's disappearance, Toby's thoughts returned to Jess. He wondered what she had been about to say when Miss Cribble interrupted. Of course…the fact that Kirby's dad is rich is pretty great too. Or maybe she was going to say Of course…it helps that he is as clever as me. Or perhaps even Of course…anyone is cuter than Toby Freckle-head.

"Jessica, could you go behind the mural and get the paints please? We'll spend the last five minutes of class today working on it," said Miss Cribble. Toby's heart banged against his chest. He held his breath.

"I'm really proud of you guys; this mural is looking great," Miss Cribble gushed to the class.

Jess's chair scraped back. Her footsteps sounded like bombs going off in Toby's head.

Oh, cripes! Two more steps and she'll see the card, the present, and me. I'm dead!

Brrriing!

Saved! Toby leaned his head against the wall in relief. That was way too close! He sucked in a big breath of air and nearly fainted. Those paint fumes really ponged!

"O.K., pack up everyone. We'll work on the mural tomorrow."

Through the noise of slamming books and scraping chairs Toby made a silent promise to himself. No more stupid ideas! From now on I'm saying goodbye to Trouble!

His legs were screaming out to be stretched, so he stood up as soon as he heard the kids start to shuffle towards the door.

Too quickly! He got head spins and began to sway.

He tried to step forward and steady himself but his left leg was still asleep and wouldn't move.

Toby stumbled, and then toppled head first into the mural. He knocked it crashing to the ground. The sound of tearing canvas filled the room as it hit tables and chairs. Paint tins and brushes tumbled through the air. Lids popped off and paint spattered everywhere. The card and present flew out of Toby's hands and landed at Jess's feet.

Toby lay flat on the floor and looked up into twenty sets of eyes. He groaned. I guess I'll be saying hello again to Trouble!

He saw Jess reach down to pick up the card and present. His face, and even his ears, felt hot and red. Somewhere behind him Miss Cribble was yelling at him, and kids were laughing. But all his concentration was on Jess.

He felt a big tear roll down his cheek. Aw cripes, I know I feel bad - but crying! That's not a good look! He wiped it away and noticed his hand had turned blue. Blue tears? Then Toby realised it was paint. Some must have splashed onto his face.

What a mess he must look, blue streaks on a red face! Nothing at all like Kirby oh-so-cute Parker. Jess would definitely laugh and throw the present at him now.

But she didn't. Her eyes twinkled, and then she smiled at him!

She turned to Sarah and finished off her interrupted sentence.

"As I was saying before - Of course, Kirby is also dead boring…" she smiled at Toby again. "…not like some people, who always seem to be doing something interesting!" she said with a wink.

Toby's heart danced with joy! He was hardly aware of Miss Cribble speaking to him. He smiled back at Jess and stood up. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Miss Cribble's finger wagging at the door and Toby guessed he'd just been sent to the principal's office. Again.

He left the room smiling. And he was still smiling when he got there. For once, Toby's troubles were no trouble at all.

The End

Trudie Trewin lives in tropical Cairns, Australia with her husband and three young boys. She has had articles, short fiction and poems published, and several competition wins for junior fiction. She discovered two years ago that writing is infinitely more fun than housework and her ambition is to have a very messy house and lots of books published.

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