Eddie was outraged. “Say, brother! That’s my locker!” But the giant obviously didn’t care. “I know,” he said. “I had it last year. It’s a good location. Right next to the water fountain.” The big kid pointed to the water fountain on the wall a few feet away.

“But there are lots of water fountains,” said Eddie, totally confused.

“I like this one,” said the big guy. And not very nicely. Then he slammed the locker and strode away.

Eddie was floored. “You can’t do this!” he called. “I know my rights!”

But the giant just kept walking.

“I don’t get it,” said Raven. “What’s so great about being near that water fountain?”

Just then, a pretty girl left the classroom right next door and stepped up to the fountain to take a drink.

“Exhibit A,” said Eddie.

After school, Raven still wasn’t sure what to do about Mr. Petracelli’s demand for a parent-teacher meeting. So she took her problem to the one person she knew could help.

“Fake vomit is great, but I need more,” Raven explained. “I need a master in deceit and the art of psychological manipulation. That’s why I came to you.”

“You made a wise choice,” said nine-year-old Cory Baxter, swivelling in his desk chair to face his older sister. “I’m going to need that five bucks up front.”

Raven rose from Cory’s bunk bed and slapped a bill into the boy’s palm. Instantly, he held it up to the light to make sure it was on the up and up.

“It’s cool,” said Cory. He pocketed the payment, and Raven sat back down on his bunk bed. With her fuzzy pen poised over her note-book, she waited for Cory’s first lesson in the art of parental deception.

“Now,” Cory began, “this little trick works on Mom and Dad every time.”

Using his back scratcher as a pointer, he revealed a little sign he’d made. “I call it ‘The Three Cs,’” he explained.

“What does that stand for?” asked Raven. “Crazy, Creepy, and Constipated?”

“That was one night!” cried Cory, annoyed. “Now do you want my help or not?”

“Okay, I’m sorry. The Three Cs are . . . ?”

“Cuddle. Compliment. And the ever-popular Cry,” said Cory, pointing to the words on his home-made sign.

“Wait a second,” said Raven. “That’s what got you out of burning the Christmas tree in ’98?”

“Yep. I cuddled up in Mom’s arms, complimented Dad on the great job he did on the Christmas lights, and I even worked up a little tear.” Cory pointed to his cheek. “Right here.”

Continues next week

Based on the popular TV series created by Michael Poryes and Susan Sherman. Illustrations: Uday Deb