“Where were you?” asked Tamiko with anger.
“I was at home,” he repeated.
He tried to avoid her glaring eyes. But she wouldn’t let him off the hook.
“What were you doing?” she demanded.
“I was coming up with Big Chew’s finishing move,” he admitted.
Her mouth fell open. “What?”
“Yeah, I came up with this awesome new idea,” he said. “I actually am gonna chew the gum. Well, another piece of gum, and then use it with this big epic kick, and—”
“You can’t keep doing this.” Her voice was thick with disappointment. “It’s not fair.”
“I said I was sorry. I can fix this,” he insisted.
“No, Ollie, you ruined this. And not just this. You did it to my dad’s outfit. You did it again with the presentation. And now all of my wrestling money is gone with no way to even get it back.”
He had done all of that. There was no denying it. But each time something went wrong, Big Chew had won as a result. He figured that whatever mistakes he made were worth it. At least for him anyway . . .
If she had an issue, why hadn’t Tamiko brought this up before? He tried to reason with her. “It’s not like I’m trying to mess stuff up. I’m doing this all for a reason. You know that. And I’m so close to Werewrestler that I can practically taste his wet dog stench.”
She sighed. “All you care about is Big Chew and wrestling and revenge.”
“I thought you liked wrestling,” he countered.
“I don’t like wrestling, Ollie. I love it,” answered Tamiko.
“Then what gives?”
“Ever since you became Big Chew, the only thing you care about is wrestling,” she said as she crossed her arms.
“Hey, that’s not true.”
At least, he didn’t think it was.
Besides, winning as Big Chew was important. Super important. He’d defeat Werewrestler. He’d become champion. He’d avenge his mom’s loss from all those years ago.
And he’d bring the fans back to Slamdown Town.
And since Tamiko was his manager, that meant she’d probably get cool stuff, too. He wasn’t sure exactly what a manager got for a championship, but he figured at least a Slamdown Town stapler or a stress ball. What was so wrong with that?
“I promise it’ll be worth it.”
But Tamiko just shook her head.
“For Big Chew maybe. But not for me,” said Tamiko. “And I’ve had enough.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you need to find yourself another manager.” She gave him an icy look. “But since that’s a Big Chew thing, I’m guessing you won’t forget that.”
She left him in front of Mrs. Ramirez’s house.
Later that night, Ollie tried to reach out to say he was sorry. To help her understand why he needed to focus on Big Chew. But she ignored all his messages.
He figured this was an argument she would need more time to get over. So he turned his attention back to Big Chew.
His match was still happening, whether Tamiko wanted to help or not. He needed to keep working on perfecting his signature finishing move.
Barbell Bill was the very last opponent standing in his way. Ollie knew that once he beat him and won his chance to wrestle Werewrestler for the belt, Tamiko would see why Big Chew was so important.
She was his best friend, after all.
He knew she’d come around.
CHAPTER 31
The day of Big Chew’s match against Barbell Bill arrived.
The car ride over was way less fun than usual. Hollis, clutching a paper bag too close to his chest, kept giving Ollie suspicious looks. The strange locker feat of strength from the other day still appeared to be rattling around his teenage brain. Ollie had never heard back from Tamiko. And she’d refused to talk to him at school. Which only convinced the eighth graders even more that he was a weird loner with freakish strength.
He figured she wanted to get her own ride to the arena. He’d join up with her after he had won the match, and he would make things right.
Ollie arrived backstage and took out a regular, nonmagic (yet delightfully fruity) piece of bubble gum. After a few minutes of dedicated chewing, Ollie plucked the now-sticky chewed-up gum and tucked it behind his left ear.
Now that his gum for the finishing move (he still hadn’t thought of a clever name) was taken care of, Ollie popped Professor Pain’s gum into his mouth and chewed. He transformed without any trouble: a first for Big Chew. He took that to be a good sign.
Ollie waited just out of sight on the entrance ramp. The arena buzzed as the fans inside took their seats, snacked on their snacks, and waited for the match to start.
He chomped on his gum. Today was going to be the day he’d punch his ticket to a match with Werewrestler. Then Tamiko would have to forgive him.
Once she saw his epic finishing move, things would go back to normal.
“Slamdown Town! It’s wrestling time,” declared Screech Holler’s electrifying voice from inside the arena.
That was Ollie’s cue. He walked down the ramp to gnarly rock music and flashing lights.
His cape billowed behind him, his conditioned hair shimmered and sparkled, and his boots squeaked on the sticky ramp as he made his way down to the ring.
With a quick motion, Ollie vaulted between the ropes. He waved to the crowd while pacing the ring. Soaking in their cheers never got old.
“And his opponent, the mustached muscle monster himself. The titan of fitness. Barbell Bill,” announced Screech.
Barbell Bill appeared. His outfit had no style. And he didn’t care. His entrance also had no flair. And he still didn’t care. The only defining feature Barbell Bill possessed, outside of his extremely ripped physique, was a well-oiled, bushy handlebar mustache. Legend had it that Barbell Bill was born with the impressive ’stache, shocking the hospital staff so much that the doctor fainted.
Other than the mustache, Barbell Bill had no spark or pizzazz. His simple wrestler singlet was draped over only one shoulder, cinched at the waist by a large belt. His long, flowing locks draped down past his meaty shoulders.
Ollie knew that Barbell Bill’s personal philosophy was “hit hard.” It was simple (just hit hard) and effective. No bells. No whistles. Only barbell strength.
Barbell Bill ignored fans leaning over the railing for a high five. He had one focus. And it was directly in front of him.
He hoisted himself over the ropes and into the ring. The two wrestlers stared each other down. Ollie spotted a nearby microphone and, with a flourish of his red cape, leaned over to scoop it up.
“Hey, Barbell Barf,” he said. “I know you were probably busy pretending that listening to moody music makes you cool. But I’m happy you showed up so I can totally kick your butt.”
Barbell Bill flexed his biceps. “Foolish man of bubble gum. How can weak, puny wrestler like you hope to defeat strong, great wrestler like me? I laugh at you now.”
Then Barbell Bill threw his head back and laughed only once.
“That’s rich, coming from a guy who probably hasn’t bothered to wash his socks for six months, because you claim to like the smell.”
“Is boring,” declared Barbell Bill. “Me hit now.”
“Bring it on, peach fuzz,” Ollie said as he tossed the mic out of the ring. His golden gloves practically squeaked with anticipation as he opened and closed them in preparation for the match to come.
Ding, ding, ding!
Both wrestlers wasted no time.
Ollie threw a huge spinning backfist, which Barbell Bill immediately blocked. He countered with a Pain and Gain blow to his hip. The hit sent Ollie to his knees.
Barbell Bill followed up with a series of strikes.
But Ollie broke free of the barrage with a sweeping leg kick. Barbell Bill collided with the mat. Ollie dove after him and tried to pull off a leg hold.
Barbell Bill saw it coming. He threw a kne
e that caught Ollie right between the words big and chew on his chest. The move sent him tumbling backward. Wasting no time, Barbell Bill shot forward with a Morning Jog Kick. Then another. And, of course, a Dumbbell Slam into the corner of the ring.
Ollie came roaring back. A diving stomp created some distance.
A suplex sparked an early opportunity to pin Barbell Bill.
“One! Two!” tallied his mom as she pounded out the count.
But Barbell Bill kicked out before she got to three. That allowed him to stand back up.
And immediately dish out a blistering Exercise Bicycle Kick.
“My goodness, Slamdown Town!” bellowed Screech Holler. “Looks like we are in for a moves showcase the likes of which I have never witnessed.”
There was no question that Barbell Bill’s endurance was legendary. He had recorded some of the longest fights in Slamdown Town history, including an epic all-night match. Ollie’s best chance of winning was to end the match fast.
“It’s been fun, Barbell.” And he meant it. “But it’s time for my ultimate finishing move. Hmm, I should probably give it a name to sound cooler. How about—”
He was abruptly cut off as Barbell Bill made a move to grapple with him. But Ollie spun out of the way. He used the surprise dodge to send Barbell Bill toppling forward into the ropes. Ollie used that opportunity to run into the corner of the ring and firmly set his footing.
The one directly across from where Barbell Bill had just bounced into the ropes.
“Oh, I know! Prepare for the Bubble Buster!” he shouted.
Ollie pulled the second piece of bubble gum, the nonmagic fruity one, from behind his ear, and slapped it on the bottom of his golden boot. Then he raised his foot and aimed it straight at Barbell Bill, who was running at him full speed.
He pulled his attention away from Barbell Bill for just one moment. With victory in his grasp, he wanted to see the look on Tamiko’s face for himself. Only, he discovered a problem.
Tamiko wasn’t there.
CHAPTER 32
It seemed impossible. But when Ollie did a quick skim of the stands, Tamiko was nowhere to be found. He wondered if perhaps she had drunk way too much soda and had to run to the bathroom. (It had happened before.) But then he realized Tamiko would never leave a match the moment before someone was about to lay the pain on their opponent.
So where was she?
“Knock, knock.”
Ollie snapped his attention back to the match. But he realized too late that his leg was no longer in position for the Bubble Buster finishing move.
Instead, Barbell Bill pounced on Ollie with a clothesline, extending his arm as he slammed into him. The blow sent Ollie hurtling backward, up and over the rope. The world spun, then flipped, and then he crashed on the floor outside the ring.
“You take seat,” said Barbell Bill. He pointed to the outside of the ring.
“Big Chew certainly left himself out to dry on that one, and all Barbell Bill did was supply the clothesline,” said Screech.
Ollie groaned. There went his chance to finish early. He pulled himself off the grimy floor and made a mental note to wash his hands after the match. Ollie went to reenter the ring before stumbling on an unfortunate discovery.
Owing to the gum that was stuck on the bottom of Big Chew’s golden boot, he found himself securely fastened to the Slamdown Town floor. The gum belonged on his opponent, not on his shoe. As he attempted to free his boot, he scanned again for Tamiko.
He found his mom, not Tamiko, as she waved her muscular arms in his face.
“Wrestlers need to be in the ring at all times!” she shouted. “If you’re outta the ring for ten seconds you’re disqualified. The clock starts now. One . . .”
“Yeah, I know,” he grunted. “I’m just looking . . . for someone.” The second it came out he knew it sounded ridiculous. He needed to get his head back in the match.
“Four . . .”
He wanted Tamiko to share in Big Chew’s awesome victory. Just like they always had. But since she was apparently busy somewhere else, he’d just have to finish this match on his own. He hoped she hadn’t accepted the all-you-can-eat nacho cheese challenge again. That had taken weeks to recover from last time.
Ollie felt his boot begin to rise, little by little, off the grimy floor.
“Eight . . . nine . . .”
He realized he would not be able to free his shoe before the count ended. In a last-second decision, Ollie yanked his foot out of his boot. Leaving the boot outside the ring, he pulled himself back through the ropes just in the nick of time.
His mom glared at him. “Hey,” he said with a shrug, “you said wrestlers need to be in the ring. Not their boots.”
But Barbell Bill had been watching.
And he was prepared.
“Enough. I finish now,” said Barbell Bill.
Ollie’s adversary wasted no time. He began to do cartwheels around the ring. Faster and faster he wheeled. The time had come for his killer finishing move.
“Take cover!” screamed Screech. “Barbell Bill is prepping the Kettlebell Kick.”
But Ollie had planned for this.
Ollie had watched the Kettlebell Kick countless times. Over and over, Barbell Bill’s opponents made the same mistake. Everyone tried to run away from it. And anyone who tried to run only found themselves kettlebell-kicked in the chest.
If running away didn’t work, maybe not running away would.
However, none of that planning would matter if Ollie didn’t have his boot—the one currently being held by the gum outside the ring.
Ollie didn’t want to risk an earful from his mom again by vaulting outside the ropes on his own. So instead, he collided straight into Barbell Bill, who was distracted by his pre–Kettlebell Kick hamstring stretches.
The pair toppled over the ropes together.
“Looks like this fight is going outside the ropes!” Screech could barely contain his excitement. “New and uncharted territory, folks.”
Ollie had hoped to scramble over to his lone boot, but Barbell Bill was the first to act. He clasped his huge, muscled hands on either end of Ollie.
With barely a grunt, Barbell Bill lifted Ollie straight into the air with a gorilla press, as if he were simply a free weight. From where they were located, Barbell Bill threatened to send Ollie straight into the stands.
In an instant, sensing the rule violations at hand, Ollie’s mom stomped over.
“Now this is really getting out of hand,” she said in a huff. “Wrestling is to be done inside the ring only. Put him down.”
“Is not my fault,” argued Barbell Bill as he held Ollie aloft.
“I said. Put. Him. Down. Now,” ordered his mom.
With a grumble, Barbell Bill let Ollie slip out of his grasp.
Ollie sprang forward. He had one objective. Quick as he could, he ran to his stuck boot. He placed both of his gloved hands on the shoe and pulled as hard as he could.
“Listen up, you two.” His mom pointed inside the ring. “Get back inside, or I will disqualify you.”
“Come on,” grunted Ollie. “Give . . . it . . . back . . . please . . .”
Maybe Slamdown Town was listening. Maybe the gum had been loosened just enough. Either way, the arena floor relinquished its claim on Ollie’s boot. With a pop, it shot right up.
Ollie gave a cheer. Then, under an intense glare from his mom, Ollie launched himself back into the ring for what he hoped would be the final time today.
Barbell Bill had almost finished his stretches. Ollie didn’t have much time. Without further delay, he shoved his foot into his boot. Big Chew’s costume was back in working order, with both boots accounted for.
With everything where it belonged, Ollie placed himself back into the center of the ring. He knew just what he wanted to do as Barbell Bill, who had completed his buildup for the Kettlebell Kick, leapt out of his last cartwheel and soared through the air, foot leveled straight at Ollie’s chest.
He did the last move Barbell Bill expected: nothing at all. He stood absolutely still. And waited.
The second before the kick hit him, Ollie caught the attack out of midair.
“By gum, that took some guts. I’ve never seen anything like that!” shrieked Screech.
Neither had Barbell Bill, whose mustache twitched in shock. Ollie swung the captive leg with all his might. Barbell Bill shot backward, straight into the ropes. As he sprang forward off the ropes, Ollie carefully tiptoed across the ring. He needed to be mindful to not get himself stuck again as he wedged himself into the corner.
Ollie raised his leg up and aimed a bubble gum–filled sole straight at his opponent. Barbell Bill’s momentum off the ropes meant he was headed straight for him.
This time, Ollie kept his focus squarely on Barbell Bill.
And this time, Barbell Bill collided straight into his gum-covered boot.
“Is pain,” muttered Barbell Bill.
He tottered. He teetered. Then Barbell Bill took a monstrous fall to the mat floor. Ollie immediately launched himself forward. He covered Barbell Bill to start the count.
His mom stepped toward them. But instead of counting, she crossed her arms.
“Now listen here, Big Chew,” said his mom. “Chewing bubble gum is one thing. But slapping it on your shoe and using it as a weapon is another.”
“Seriously?!” yelled Ollie. He swung himself around on top of Barbell Bill to look up at his mom. “Can’t we talk about this later? Like, after you’ve counted?”
“Rules clearly state that no outside weapons are allowed,” insisted his mom.
“Sure, but I am allowed to have accessories,” he said. “Rule sixty-two, subsection B. And since it’s on my boot, this gum counts as a fashion accessory. Not a weapon.”
Ollie liked to be prepared. Especially when his mom was the rules enforcer.
“That seems like quite a stretch.” She considered for a moment. “But bubble gum is also stretchy, and since you didn’t outright violate any rules . . .”
Slamdown Town Page 16