Dork on the Run by Carol Gorman

Author:Carol Gorman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781453220917
Publisher: Open Road Media

Chapter Thirteen

Jerry wasn’t going to tell his mother what happened, and he didn’t feel like pretending nothing was wrong. So when he got home, he retreated to his room.

He flopped back on his bed and squeezed his eyes shut, but all he could see was the view he’d had, hanging upside down, outside the science-room window. He felt a spasm in his stomach.

He thought of the students below, their faces turned up to see where the screaming was coming from. He thought about the pictures Cinnamon was taking, and he writhed in shame. He hated that he’d been so scared, he’d screamed bloody murder in front of all those kids who’d watched from below. He wished again that he could run away so he’d never have to face any of them ever again.

For a long time, Jerry lay on his bed marinating in his own anger, frustration, and embarrassment. He knew he was wallowing in self-pity, and he hated himself for doing it. But he didn’t know how he could possibly live through this—how he could handle this whole thing with even a modicum of cool. He’d already shown everyone what a terrible coward he was. Cowards are definitely not cool.

Finally, after a half hour, Jerry was sick of turning it over in his mind. He got up, sat at his computer, went to the web, and idly typed “self-defense” in the search box.

Jerry knew he wasn’t the type to take up tae kwon do or judo in a serious way. Besides, a skill like that required years of training. But, Jerry thought, it would be quite satisfying to imagine himself using some good moves that could put Gabe Marshall on the floor.

He wished he could have used something on Gabe that would have prevented him and Craig from shoving him out that window.

A listing of various types of martial arts flashed on the monitor. He ran down the list and stopped at aikido. He’d never heard of it. “In aikido, there is no punching or kicking. One uses an opponent’s own energy to deflect an attack and throw him into a fall.”

What a concept.

Jerry read on. A weaker person who is skilled in aikido, the article said, can throw a heavier, stronger person around the mat simply by using the graceful, flowing movements he has learned. He uses his opponent’s own strength and energy to subdue him.

Jerry sighed. If only he had started studying aikido when he was three years old, maybe he’d be good enough to deflect Gabe’s attacks now.

Jerry sat back in his chair and stared out the window. He wished the devastation in his life could be fixed. But it was impossible. Once you’ve made a complete and utter fool of yourself, there’s no turning back.

Why, Jerry thought, did I ever agree to run for sixth-grade president? He wished his family could move again, and he could start all over in a new town. He’d learned some powerful lessons about what not to do, and maybe he could find a way to fit in somewhere else.

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