Read Online How Not to Run for President by Catherine Clark - Free Book Online

suddenly it was like the two of them were best friends. Mom couldn’t stop talking.
    Then Kristen was giving my parents all the contact information they’d need, plus a link to “follow the bus” online.
    Finally, Simon pushed his way through the crowd to us. He was panting and out of breath. “Sorry I’m late. I had to ride my bike to the store to get you something first.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to get me anything,” I said.
    â€œSure, I did. You won’t survive without these. Here.” He gave me a giant box of Lime Brains candy.
    â€œThanks,” I said. “I will need these. I think I’m going to be bored out of my skull,” I whispered to him.
    â€œYeah, but at least you’re getting out of town,” said Simon.
    â€œGood point.” I decided to wait and tell him about the trip to Yankee Stadium later, when I got home and it was more of a sure thing. “I wish you could come,” I said.
    â€œYeah. That’d be cool. Make sure you get all the perks. Order room service, charge up video games, junk like that.”
    â€œAidan, it’s time to go!” Stu called from the bus steps.
    â€œWell, see you,” Simon said. “Have fun being famous!”
    Just before I walked away, T.J. made his way around the reporters and pushed up right beside Simon.
    â€œYou really should thank me, Shrieking,” he said. “Without that video I took, nobody would even know your name.”
    â€œYou’re not the only one who made a video,” Simon said. “What, you think you’re the reason he was picked? Be serious.”
    â€œYeah, well, I’m glad he’s leaving,” T.J. said. “Because with him gone, we can actually win a baseball game!” T.J. laughed loudly.
    All the reporters standing around the bus started laughing. Maybe getting out of town for a while wasn’t such a bad idea, I thought. “I’ll really miss you, T.J.,” I said. “Not.” I picked up my clarinet case, a backpack with my baseball glove and a baseball inside, and my duffel bag full of clothes and other assorted junk, and climbed onto the bus.
    I passed by the general, who was jotting down notes about a mile a minute on a legal pad. He glanced up at me. “More kids on the campaign trail. As if one wasn’t enough? Now I’ve seen everything.”
    â€œI thought this was your idea,” I said.
    â€œNope. This came from the Haircut,” he said, going back to his notes.
    â€œThe Haircut?” I checked out his bald head. He clearly wasn’t referring to himself. Then I remembered that was his nickname for Stu. I wondered if he had a nickname for me. Maybe, Needs a Haircut?
    He looked up again and focused on me. “You know the old saying? If you’re the president and you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.”
    â€œYeah—uh, sure,” I lied.
    â€œA dog,” he repeated. “Not a kid from Ohio.”
    Great, just great. The general hated me.
    I smiled at him, hoping he wouldn’t kill me, and looked down the aisle for an empty seat. Suddenly, I spotted one with my name on it—seriously, there was a sign that said AIDAN s. taped to the headrest. It was right behind Kristen, the governess, who was knitting.
    â€œDon’t let the general get to you,” Kristen said. “Deep down he’s a nice guy.”
    â€œHow far down do you have to go?” I asked.
    She laughed. “Oh, I was a little worried about you, but I think you’ll do just fine.” She waved her knitting needles in the air, and I saw that she was knitting a sweater with an American flag pattern. “By the way, I have a fifth-degree black belt in karate. I’m an expert at self-defense. And, I could pierce someone’s heart with one of these needles from thirty feet away,” she said.
    â€œUh, okay,” I said, noticing how strong her arm muscles looked.
    Kristen