Bullies Rule

Bullies Rule — page 3 — Monique Polak math genius or that he’s skinnier than a rake Today he happens to be wearing these baggy gray trackpants They are practically falling off his bony butt Those pants are my opportunity I grin when I see Nelson pull up his pants Then I turn to Trevor and Luke and say Watch this guys Trevor snorts in anticipation Most kids laugh Trevor snorts Luke who believes that nothing happens until it gets posted on YouTube whips his cell phone out of his back pocket I jog over to where Nelson is huddled with a group of math geniuses They are probably discussing ratios and right angles so Nelson doesn’t realize I am behind him That’s when I pants him It doesn’t take much effort I just grab the elasticized band at the top of his trackpants and give a little tug Two 2

Bullies Rule — page 4 — Bullies Rule seconds later Nelson’s knobby knees are knocking together and his trackpants are around his ankles What I never expected and what makes the whole thing even funnier is that Nelson is wearing red-and-blue Superman boxer shorts Even the other math nerds fall over laughing Nelson hikes up his pants but it is too late The whole schoolyard is hooting I hear Tanya before I see her She is singing the chorus of Five for Fighting’s Superman song I’m more than a bird I’m more than a plane Now I spot her standing by the fence Tanya Leboff is the hottest girl in eighth grade I’ve had a thing for her since elementary school Most girls with eyes that blue have blond hair but Tanya’s hair is so dark it is almost black Not surprisingly her two sidekicks Evie and Lily are singing along with her 3

Bullies Rule — page 5 — Monique Polak Of course Luke catches the whole thing on video When Luke moves in for a close-up Nelson covers his face with his hands I guess he isn’t ready for his YouTube debut If I were a different sort of person I might feel sorry for old Nelson I clap when Tanya and the sidekicks (cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:192)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) shoots me a smile so small I wonder if I imagined it You’re the man Trevor says high (cid:191)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:3) I am still shaking my head picturing those Superman boxer shorts when I hear the sound of high heels clattering in the distance Shoes like that belong to only one person It is Ms Fornello our guidance counselor When I look up she is surveying the schoolyard Luke slips his phone into his pocket 4

Bullies Rule — page 6 — Bullies Rule Her eyes land on me Daniel Abel she says Are you going to tell me what’s going on here Uh nothing’s going on Ms Fornello I make a point of looking her in the eye Most kids can’t do that look someone in the eye and lie to their face I’m not most kids In that case Ms Fornello says turning to Luke you won’t mind showing me whatever it is you just recorded on your phone Uh it was no big deal Luke says backing away from Ms Fornello Daniel was just kidding around I glare at Luke Why’d he have to mention my name Ms Fornello is the pit bull of guid ance counselors When she gets an idea she won’t let go So I am not surprised when she extends her hand Your phone she says to Luke Now 5

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