Chapter 9

As Huey slept, he had a flashback about Derek. It was when they were in the office of the school. The time Derek actually apologized for everything he did. Huey wondered how Derek turned back into a bully. In his dream, there was an extra part. It took place in Derek's home. Derek was arguing with his dad about the conference meeting.

"I'm not going to some crummy orphanage!" Derek yelled as his father got mad.

"You don't have a choice Derek!" His father yelled. He started to calm down as he continued. "I screwed up. Ever since your mother died, it's been really hard on me. I've been taking all that out on you, and I'm sorry. You can't stay with me anymore, so go pack your bags." Derek went upstairs to pack his bags. He stomped off as his dad started crying. As Huey was about to continue, Dewey woke him up.

"Hey, are you okay?" Dewey asked. Huey rubbed his eyes.

"Yeah, I think so." Huey said as he got out of the sleeping bag. Huey and Dewey walked downstairs to go get breakfast. As they were eating, Louie barely touched his food. He was thinking about what happened last night. Huey was skeptical of this.

"Are you okay Louie?" Huey asked as Louie suddenly jolted up.

"Yeah why?" Louie asked trying to seem completely normal.

"Well, you're not eating, so I assumed something was wrong." Huey said as Louie started to eat to seem less suspicious. Huey didn't worry about it. When Huey finished his food, he got up and went to the library to see Noah. Once he got to the library, he sat down next to Noah at their table. Noah started to speak.

"Hey, I heard about your book." Noah said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah." Huey sighed. "Derek burned it, but I don't need it I guess." Huey lied. He does need his book and he would do anything to get it back.

"So I guess you don't need this." Noah said as he took out a book that looked exactly like the JWG. Huey was shocked.

"Where did you get that?" Huey asked excitedly. Noah handed Huey the book and Huey flipped through the pages. It had everything that his old book had.

"I made it." Noah said. "Did I forget to mention that I have a photographic memory?" Huey was so happy that he had his book back.

"Noah, I can't thank you enough." Huey said as Noah stopped him.

"You don't have to thank me." Noah said. "You said it yourself. That's what friends are supposed to do." Huey has never been this happy. He could have jumped with joy if it wasn't a library. As Huey silently celebrated, Nathan came in. Huey hid his book as he walked over to them.

"Hey nerd squad!" Nathan said as Huey snapped. Huey was tired of Nathan and he was tired of Derek. Nathan then got in Noah's face.

"I need some money, cough it up." Nathan demanded. Noah was scared, but Huey handled it.

"Wow, someone who shows so much authority over others doesn't have any money." Huey said mockingly. Nathan then got in Huey's face.

"You better watch out before I call Derek." Nathan said as Huey got an idea.

"Oh, so you need Derek to solve all of your problems." Huey mocked as Nathan got angry.

"I can take you out right here, right now." Nathan said as he raised a fist up at Huey.

"Then do it." Huey said with confidence. "Do it in front of all these people. Surely you won't get in trouble." Huey continued to mock Nathan as he lowered his fist.

"Just wait until Derek hears about this." Nathan said as he walked out. Huey tried to stay confident, but deep down that was the scariest thing he has ever done. Noah noticed that Huey wasn't moving.

"Huey, are you okay?" Noah said as Huey stayed still. He then sat down.

"Yeah, I think so." Huey said holding his head. He regretted everything he said. He started reading his book and noticed that Noah got every little detail right. Even markings that Huey made by accident. Huey looked up from his book.

"Hey Noah." Huey said trying to get Noah's attention. Noah looked at Huey. "You're officially my best friend." Huey said as Noah seemed excited.

"Woah, I never had a best friend before." Noah said.

"Me neither." Huey said as he continued to read his book. Noah continued to read his book as well.

Nathan walked outside and texted for Derek to come to the library. Derek texted that he would and then sent an evil grin emoji.

Louie walked to the arcade to meet with Lucky again. He didn't feel like playing any games though. Once he got there, he saw Lucky beating her own high score in the racing game. She noticed Louie as he walked up to machine.

"Hey greenie, get on the other machine so I can crush you." Lucky said as Louie rubbed the back of his head.

"Actually, instead of playing a game, can we just talk?" Louie asked as she paused the game.

"Okay, what do you wanna talk about?" Lucky asked as she got up from the game.

"I just wanna talk." Louie said as they walked out of the arcade. Louie started to say what was on his mind. "Look, about last night, when you kissed me I..." Before he could finish, Lucky already knew what he was gonna say.

"You didn't like the kiss did you." Lucky said disappointingly.

"Actually it's the opposite." Louie said. Lucky was surprised that Louie actually liked the kiss. "I really liked it. So much I couldn't stop thinking about it. And I can't really stop thinking about you." Lucky was surprised as Louie looked deep into her eyes. They lost control of their bodies and started moving closer towards each other. Instead of the cheek, they made contact with each other's lips. Louie never expected that the punk gamer girl that he was trying to beat would turn out to be his love interest. Louie stopped thinking and just let it all happen.

Huey and Noah walked out of the library. As they started walking to Noah's house, they were greeted by Derek and his friends. Huey looked at the cast on his broken hand and remembered what happened last night. Derek then started to evilly grin.

"I'm gonna skip the letter N and go right to G." Derek said as he looked at Huey. "Nathan, take care of the other nerd." Derek demanded as Noah was dragged over to a dark alley by Nathan. Huey was mad at himself for not being able to do anything. "Do you know what G stands for?" Derek asked. Huey said the words Derek was looking for.

"No sir, I don't know." Huey said trying to be brave. But he can't show courage and fear at the same time.

"It stands for Garbage." Derek said as he punched Huey in the stomach. Huey doubled over in pain as Derek picked him up and slammed him on the ground. "Because you're nothing but trash." Derek then kicked Huey repeatedly as Huey cried in pain. Derek got two of his friends to pick Huey up. Derek started repeatedly punching Huey. "Say that you're nothing but trash." Huey pathetically did as he was told.

"I'm nothing but trash!" Huey said as Derek's friends let him go.

"Good, now I want you to do something." Derek said as he stepped in mud. "I need you to lick my shoes clean." Derek said as Huey got on the ground. Huey then started to beg.

"Please Derek, don't make me do this." Huey begged on his knees. "Just let me go, I promise I'll be good." Derek slapped Huey in the face causing him to cry.

"It's too late for sorry." Derek said as he shoved Huey's face next to his foot. "NOW LICK!" Derek yelled as Huey started to lick Derek's feet clean. Huey tried to spit out the mud, but Derek demanded that he swallow it. Huey did as he was told and swallowed the mud. After Huey was done cleaning Derek's shoes, Derek threw Huey in a nearby dumpster and slammed it shut. Derek laughed hysterically as he and his friends walked away. Huey didn't enjoy any of it. He got out of the trash and walked in the alley that Nathan took Noah. Nathan was still beating up Noah, so Huey intervened.

"Get away from him!" Huey demanded as Nathan started walking over to Huey.

"Or what nerd?" Nathan said as he was about to punch Huey. Huey braced himself as Nathan threw the punch. Dewey came out of nowhere and blocked the punch.

"Or this!" Dewey said as he started rapidly throwing punches. They all connected with Nathan's face. Nathan fell to the ground as Dewey picked him up. "If you ever hurt my brother or my friend again, I will do the same thing I just did, do you understand." Nathan nodded in agreement as Dewey put him down and let him run away. Huey was surprised that Dewey actually fought him. Dewey then looked at Huey. "I'm not letting Derek hurt you anymore." Dewey said as he hugged a crying Huey.

End of Chapter 9