common_trans_hideinfo
Mara came out of Gumdrop Candy Store. She was chewing bubble gum.
"Mmm," said Mara. "This new bubble gum is delicious!"
Mara blew a bubble.
The bubble grew and grew.
"Why isn't this bubble popping?" Mara wondered.
The bubble grew bigger and bigger. Soon it was bigger than a car!
Mara screamed. "Ahh!"
"I can't wait to play kickball," said Jack.
Roxy, Terrell, and Jack were walking to Metro City Park. Jack was carrying his brand-new rubber ball.
"Mara is meeting us at the park at two o'clock," said Roxy. "She said she had to finish her book report first."
At the park the three friends played kickball for a while.
Then they got a drink from the water fountain. Mara still wasn't there.
"What time is it?" asked Jack.
Terrell looked at his watch. "It's after two o'clock," he said. "Mara should be here."
"I'm sure she'll be here soon," said Roxy. "Jack, kick the ball to me!"
Roxy ran back across the field. Jack kicked the ball. It sailed through the air.
"Got it!" called Roxy.
She kicked the ball to Terrell. It went over his head.
"You kicked it too hard!" Terrell called. He chased after the ball. The three friends kicked the ball back and forth for a while longer.
But after thirty more minutes, Mara was still not there.
"I wonder where Mara is," said Terrell.
"Maybe she was kidnapped by aliens!" said Jack.
Terrell laughed. "Maybe a big swamp monster attacked her!"
"Ha-ha! Or a lava monster!" said Jack. "Or a giant octopus!"
Roxy shook her head. "I doubt Mara was attacked by aliens or a monster or a giant octopus. She's probably still working on her book report."
Terrell rubbed his chin. "Maybe Rocket Girl can find Mara," he said.
Roxy laughed. "We don't need Rocket Girl to find Mara."
"But Mara is missing," said Terrell. "This might be serious!"
"I'm sure Mara is fine," said Roxy. "She's probably just—"
Roxy's watch beeped.
"Oh!" said Roxy. "I . . . um, need to go tie my shoe."
Roxy went over to a park bench and sat down. She pressed a button on her watch.
"Mayor Bloom," Roxy whispered. "What's wrong?"
The mayor looked nervous. "Rocket Girl! A giant pink blob is invading downtown Metro City! We need your help!"
"Whoa," said Roxy. "A pink blob! Don't worry, Mayor. Rocket Girl is on her way!"