Chapter 11

Jeff

Yes, I agreed to look after Scooter. But that didn’t mean I had to like it.

And I didn’t. Not at first, anyway.

I invited him to a party and what did he do? Stared at the floor in silence, that’s what. I kept trying to introduce him to all my friends. And not to brag, but I have a lot of friends. Small Valley High is football crazy, and I was one of the best players, so making friends has always been pretty easy for me. It should have been easy for Scooter too.

I even came up with a nickname for him. Yes, that’s how he got the nickname.

“Hey, guys,” I’d say. “I want you to meet my buddy. He’s on the football team. Call him Scooter. Seriously, you should see the wheels on this guy.”

Guys reached out to shake his hand or bump his fist. Girls smiled and waited for him to look up at them.

But he didn’t reach his own hand out or lift his eyes an inch.

It was awkward and embarrassing.

Which is why I ditched him.

The dude was dead weight. Checking in on him? Sure, that I could handle. But babysitting him? No thanks.

That’s what I told myself as I told him, “That’s pretty much everyone. Have fun tonight, man.”

Then I left him so I could have fun myself.