"It will take us thirty minutes to reach the school. Let's talk about our plan for this afternoon's hockey practice." says Kendall.
Why don't we do that later? Being outside has definitely damaged my head." Logan answers,
"All right, dude. I recognize your suffering. When I have to watch Katie, I suffer headaches." With a smile, Kendall says to him.
"The topic we ought to be discussing is Friday's 13th birthday celebration for our sibling from a different mother." James says, giving Carlos a fist bump.
"I can't wait. This party is going to be fantastic. The theme I'm going to have is going to blow you all away." Carlos repeats that with gusto.
"What's going to be?" Logan says, closing his eyes as he listens.
"It's unexpected," Carlos remarks.
"Aw, you're going to make us wait?" says James.
"If I tell you, it won't be as special when Friday comes." Carlos clarifies
"We'll be patient for you, buddy." Says Kendall.
The students are released from the bus as it enters the parking lot. They enter the building and proceed to their lockers to retrieve their first period necessities.
"I'm glad arithmetic comes first. My headache will disappear because of how much pleasure I'm having there." Logan says, reaching for his notebook, which resembles a calculator. Along with his pencil case looking like a rocket.
"How dull it is. We're continuously hearing Mr. Jerfferson lecture us against using calculators. Without them, how can we complete the task?" James states
"Should our reliance on them grow excessively, we won't be able to develop mental math skills. Calculators can also be found in our brains. He intends to say that." Logan clarifies.
"Is that supposed to make me like math?" explains James.
"You simply have to do it; you don't have to like it. Let's not arrive late. You are aware of his feelings about that." As he shuts his locker, Logan remarks.
They enter the classroom and take a seat at their desks.
The goal is to climb the rope and ring the bell during gym class later that day. Logan in particular fears having to do it, as do all of the classmates. The gym instructor tells them that by strengthening their upper body, it will make them stronger.
"The first one up is Ryan." Gazing at a clipboard, Coach Sanderson remarks.
The teen with curly hair gets to her feet and begins to climb. He ascends to the summit and then shimmies back down.
After five other kids have left, it is Logan's time. Harvey, a bigger lad who plays hockey for the school and is quite nasty and cruel to many students, is in front of him. It is said that he is the school's most dreaded bully. Once his turn is over, he moves past Logan.
"Try to prove that if you can string beans, you'll fail, no matter how hard you hang onto that rope." He gives him a harsh prod and chuckles.
"You mess with Logan; you're going to have to deal with me." James remarks as he stands guardian-like in front of his young companion.
"I'm not scared of you." Harvey states
"That's enough from both of you." Coach Sanderson says to separate them.
"Logan, please start climbing."
He swallows nervously, struggling to pull himself up by the rope. He hears the students who are observing reacting negatively.
"Is he really that weak?" remarks one of the girls.
"Well, he is small for his age," One boy makes a note of
"Logan, don't pay attention to them. You're capable of it." Kendall gives a supportive yell.
Logan attempts again, but he slips and falls into the mat, hitting his head hard.
Harvey breaks out into a fit of laughter.
"I was correct; you were incapable of succeeding. You did not succeed. You're nothing more than a helpless little loser!"
"All that matters is that he gave it his all. Give up making jokes about him. He's getting worse because of you!" Carlos comments
"Are you ok, Logan?" Coach Sanderson inquires.
"May I go to the school infirmary for an ice pack, please, and to avoid more humiliation?" With a desperation to get away from the agony of being the center of attention right now, Logan answers.
"You certainly can. I hope you soon recover."It's said gently by Coach Sanderson.
"Thank you." Running out of the room, the young adolescent says.
Afterwards, Logan reads a book he got out from the library the week before as the lads converse at their regular lunch table. Logan usually remains quiet.
"What are you reading about?" James states
"Math stuff that you wouldn't understand even if explained to you in the tone of a kindergarten teacher." Snacking on a slice of apple, Logan says as he turns the page.
"Try it on me; I'm curious." James says
Vinculum, Oblate Spheroid, Monomial, and many more uncommon mathematical terms are among those I'm reading about. What piques your curiosity about any of that? With his predetermined response, Logan says.
"No, because whatever you just said wasn't English." Says James.
"You're correct. It was a discussion for nerds. Only nerds make themselves appear smarter by saying dumb things, but in reality, they're just less intelligent. On the totem poll, you rank really low. To make matters worse, you're beneath it." Harvey chuckles as he says this.
"Please be kind to us all and leave us alone. You are not welcome here." says Kendall.
"Let me be team captain; your shrimpy friend might not get as bothered as much from me." "You won't be kind or fair if you're the team captain," Harvey claims.
You're merely overbearing and power-hungry. You take advantage of children you believe are unimportant. You use their fears as fuel for yourself. You have no business leading any form of sport. Leave already." Logan claims that he is furious.
"You talk big for a kid with arms the width of a toothpick." Harvey states
Even while that's true, I still have my mind. All I need is mental fortitude." Says Logan
"Talk like a typical child!" Harvey responds angrily.
"I don't need to alter my speech pattern. You ought to expand your vocabulary. With his eyes rolling, Logan says.
"You think I'm stupid?" Harvey explains.
"I have squandered enough time with you, and I did not do such a thing. Since this won't go away on its own, I'll handle it. As he stands up, Logan says to dispose of his trash and place his tray on top of other used ones.
"He is correct. Give up teasing him. It's not necessary for us to suffer alongside you just because you're a sad, wicked troll. Now back off. You have been alerted." Says Kendall
Logan visits the school library during study hall because he is certain that not even Harvey will enter there to make mischief. The librarian is stringent about kids following the rules and takes her work extremely seriously.
During his hour-long break, he reads a few books and gets ready psychologically for whatever reprisal Harvey may be plotting. He heads to his next class, Earth Science, after the session closes.