Читать книгу Basketball and Bullies - T. K. Valentic - Страница 6

Jake worked on his history assignment while his mom finished dinner. It had been three days since Ms. Bartlett had called on him and that meant that he was probably at the top of her list. He was pretty sure she kept track of who she called on and only deviated from her list when she knew someone had not read their assignment. She was almost psychic about homework, somehow always spotting the slackers. In his opinion, it was better just to do the homework.

Doing his history assignment brought Chad to mind. For whatever reason, Chad had it in for Arthur. He was mean to Arthur every day. Jake would have busted him in the mouth by now, but Arthur seemed to accept that abuse was his lot in life; it just wasn’t right.

Jake was sure that making the team would help Arthur as much as it would help the team. At some point, though, Arthur would have to stand up to Chad and his buddies. Wyatt was meaner than Chad if that was possible, but he didn't understand why Stan, who was a nice guy most of the time, continued to hang out with Chad. Of course, Stan and Chad had been best friends since kindergarten. What was wrong with Chad these days anyway? In the past year, Chad had changed and now no one wanted to be around him, except for Wyatt who was worse. In fact, Charlie told him yesterday that Chad and Wyatt were stealing some of the younger kid's lunch money.

***

"Dinner is ready!" Jake's mom called out. Laid out on the table were all of Cole’s favorite foods. His mom was thrilled that Cole had come home in the middle of the week to have dinner and Jake knew his mom missed Cole more than she let on. He didn't mind, Cole's favorite foods were some of his own favorites as well.

"So, Cole, what’s the occasion?" Dad joked. "You didn’t get thrown out of school, did you?"

"He got homesick," Jake said punching Cole on the shoulder.

"Ow!" Cole said punching Jake back. "Amusing Dad. No, I didn't get thrown out of school. I guess I was a little homesick for Mom’s home cooking," he said smiling at Mom who fondly ruffled his hair.

"So, what is new at school?" Jake asked interrupting Cole's mother-son lovefest.

Cole said, "Don't worry, Dad. I am studying every day, but also I’ve joined a new organization. It’s an anti-bullying movement. At college, just like high school, lots of kids are bullied or cyberbullied. Our group is working to educate people about it and to try and stop it."

"That’s great son," Dad said looking proud. "Glad to hear that you're taking a stand."

"Sounds cool," Jake said. "By the way, where are you sleeping tonight? Mom redecorated your room. It's now a sewing room."

"I'm sleeping in your bed, Runt."

"I don't think so," Jake said.

"Now boys," Mom said. "Jake, let your brother have the bottom bunk for tonight."

"Sheez, Mom!" Jake complained. "Why do I always have to sleep on the top?"

"Because you're the runt," Cole teased tousling Jake's hair.

"Mom!"