So, Max did what any self-respecting student would do: he lay in bed, dramatically moaning and groaning. He practiced the perfect fake cough. “Ah-choo! Ugh… my head… it hurts so much,” he said, adding in a few fake sniffs for good measure.
His mom, who had seen this trick countless times, walked in with a raised eyebrow. “Max, are you really sick, or is this one of your ‘I don’t want to go to school’ acts?”
Max thought quickly. “I think… I might be dying. My head is a volcano of pain. The world is spinning in slow motion. I’m afraid if I move, my body might… explode.”
His mom sighed. “Okay, Max. I’ll call the school and let them know you’re staying home today.”
Max couldn’t believe it. He was getting away with it! “Victory is mine!” he thought. But his mom wasn’t done yet.