Read Online I'm with Stupid by Geoff Herbach - Free Book Online

wandered into their domain. He wore a T-shirt with a Sharpie drawing of a pig on it. (The drawing was pretty awesome.) The pig wore a cape and held a crossbow. The words “BULLY ME” were written above the pig. The words “PIG BOY” were written below the drawing.
    Gus stopped in mid-sentence and took in Tommy’s odd presence. “Can I help you?” Gus asked.
    Tommy didn’t look at Gus. He addressed me. “It’s working,” he said.
    â€œIt is?” I asked.
    â€œNobody’s dicked me over all week. They’re running scared.”
    â€œWho are you?” Gus asked.
    â€œPig Boy,” Tommy said. “I’m Felton’s sidekick.”
    I nodded. I’d slept better since I told Tommy he could be my sidekick. “Gus,” I said. “Meet Tommy. He’s my…”
    â€œSidekick,” Tommy repeated.
    â€œAnd mentee,” I said.
    â€œWow,” Gus said.
    Tommy nodded solemnly. “Running scared,” he repeated. Then he turned and wobbled back down the hall. My football number, 34, was drawn on his back. He knew more about me than I thought.
    Gus turned to me. “You’re protecting him?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThat’s pretty cool,” he said.

Chapter 14
    The End of the Fall
    School ended for two weeks. Winter break. I’d be leaving town to visit Andrew and Grandpa Stan and Tovi, my cousin, which I was psyched about because college questions would go away and I’d be with family in a not-empty house.
    And Tommy’s Pig Boy thing had calmed me down. He’d given me a purpose! So before leaving for Florida the next morning, I agreed to be social. (I hadn’t done anything with anybody since Thanksgiving.)
    I went to Dubuque, Iowa, to walk around the mall there with Abby Sauter and Karpinski. Karpinski drove. I sat in the back.
    On the way, Abby turned to me and said, “My little brother told me you’re protecting some kid in his class.”
    â€œMe?” I asked. “Or do you mean Karpinski?”
    â€œHa!” Abby laughed.
    â€œI don’t do shit for children,” Karpinski said. “I don’t like children. They’re really dirty, have you noticed? Dirty hands and shit.”
    â€œThat’s nice of you, Felton,” Abby said. “Keeping a young man safe from terror in the halls of Bluffton High.”
    â€œYes,” I said. “It’s my duty.”
    â€œWhat kid?” Karpinski asked.
    â€œThat pig kid,” Abby said.
    â€œLittle fat ass?” Karpinski asked.
    â€œNo,” I said. “Tommy Bode. He’s not a little fat ass.”
    â€œHe’s pretty fat,” Karpinski said.
    â€œNolan doesn’t like him,” Abby said.
    â€œNo shit. Nolan kicked him in the stomach,” I said. “I saw him do it.”
    â€œNolan has problems,” Abby said. “That’s when your hand bled?” she asked.
    I nodded. “He pissed me off.”
    â€œYeah, Nolan’s not doing so well,” Abby said. “He’s not so…” Abby trailed off.
    â€œWhy? What’s wrong with Nolan?” I asked. What did Nolan have to worry about?
    â€œI’d probably kick that little fat ass in the stomach,” Karpinski said. “I’m a dick.”
    I looked at Karpinski. His jock eyes twinkled.
    â€œIt’s my job,” Karpinski said. “I have to keep the dipshits in line.”
    â€œIt’s my job to protect them.”
    â€œThere’s gonna be some trouble, man. We’re going to have to fight!” Karpinski laughed.
    â€œYou’re a dick,” I said.
    â€œAlways have been, always will be,” Karpinski said.
    â€œYou just figure that out, Felton?” Abby smiled.
    â€œNo,” I whispered.
    â€œAbby, you drinking peach schnapps or something?” Karpinski asked. “What’s that smell?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Abby mumbled.
    Karpinski had