Read Online My Life as a Cartoonist by Janet Tashjian - Free Book Online

classmates. To think I wanted to help him, had even put together a plan to train Frank to be his helper. A sudden wave of self-righteousness sweeps over me. Who does this kid think he is, transferring to our school and stirring up trouble? Copying my comic strip, getting me in trouble with our teacher? Watching him now, I decide Umberto is the one who needs his butt kicked. Wheelchair or no wheelchair, I’m tired of this kid harassing me.
    â€œThree o’clock,” I tell Matt and Carly. “If Umberto wants a fight, he’s going to get one.”

I Hope You Know, This Means War
    â€œYou can’t fight a kid in a wheelchair,” Carly says. “It’s just plain—what’s the word?— wrong .”
    interjects
    â€œFor the millionth time, this wasn’t my idea.”
    â€œIt’s Bullying Rule Number One,” Carly pleads. “Just walk away.”
    â€œIf I can’t walk away, he can’t either,” Umberto interjects as he races down the hall.
    â€œI have no intention of walking away,” I call after him. “I’ll be there.”
    Carly grabs her books tighter to her chest and shakes her head sadly. “I want nothing to do with this. You’re on your own.”
    I point up toward her locker, where Crash is waiting for her. “I don’t think YOU’RE on your own.”
    She tilts her head, trying to decide whether or not to go to Crash. “I can’t watch you do this,” she says, then heads toward her boyfriend.
    When the bell rings at the end of the day, Matt rubs my shoulders as if I’m a boxer going into the ring. I’m completely flabbergasted when we go outside and more than fifty kids are waiting.
    â€œFight, fight, fight!” everyone chants.
    exhilarated
    Part of me wants to run screaming through the double doors and not stop until I’m safely hidden underneath my bed at home. But another part of me is exhilarated by this sudden attention and notoriety. I look over and see Charlotte Mayo and Mackenzie Brennan chanting. I didn’t even think they knew who I was.
    notoriety
    â€œThis is like an old-fashioned duel,” Matt says. “It’s awesome.”
    Billy Thompson, who lives a few houses down from Matt, chimes in. “Alexander Hamilton got killed in a duel.”
    â€œThat’s not going to happen today,” Matt says.
    My exhilaration suddenly shifts to fear, and I find myself with a serious case of flop sweat. “I’ve got to get out of here,” I tell Matt. “Let’s go.”
    â€œNo one’s going anywhere,” Umberto says, wheeling up behind me. “Ready to get your butt kicked?”
    random
    As the other kids chant Umberto’s name, I scan the school yard for a random teacher to put an end to the madness. Why isn’t there ever an adult around when you need one?
    â€œPick your weapon,” Umberto says. Across his lap, he’s got two lacrosse sticks and two pairs of boxing gloves.
    â€œAre you insane? Who brings boxing gloves to school?”
    â€œI box at the YMCA,” Umberto says. “I’m a black belt in karate, too.”
    Billy Thompson chimes in yet again. “Have you seen Umberto on YouTube breaking boards with his head? Or chopping a cinder block in half with his bare hands? He’s amazing.”
    The person I now want to fight is Billy Thompson.
    I turn to Matt. “This is ridiculous. I can’t fight a kid in a wheelchair.”
    Umberto overhears me. “You want me to get out of my chair? Cuz I’ll beat you lying on the ground too.”
    As my life flashes before my eyes, I think about my drawings and wish Super Frank were here to help me. He may be fictional, but no one else seems willing to help me out today.
    medieval
    â€œEnough stalling.” Umberto tosses me a lacrosse stick. “You get on one end of the school yard, I’ll get on the other. We’ll meet in the middle and