Middle School: My Brother Is a Big, Fat Liar Read Online Free PDF Page B

there might be one or two things I’ve left out of this book so far. I guess I’ve never mentioned that one of my legs is shorter than the other. I wear a special shoe, which helps, but I still limp a little.
    Get it?

    Pretty hilarious, right?
    And “clip-clop”? That’s the way the Princesses made fun of the sound my feet make when I walk. I’m a little uneven, I guess.
    I actually got the joke the first time they said it. But I guess I didn’t feel like explaining it. You understand, don’t you? It’s not like I’m a liar.
    (What? Rafe never mentioned my shoe either? Well, that’s… interesting.)
    Nobody at my old school even noticed my limp. Well, if they noticed, at least they never really cared. I mean, sometimes, of course, it came up. Like, I always got picked last when we had relay races.
    But that didn’t happen all that often. All in all, I really never thought about it much. Everyone was just used to me, and they accepted me.
    But middle school was totally different. The more I tried to blend in, the more I stood out. It’s like I was some kind of free entertainment that people couldn’t help but stare at.
Free freak show! See the Limpy Chick in her natural habitat! Mock her hair! Judge her clothes! Remember her crazy brother?
    So is it a surprise that I was locked in abathroom stall, crying? (I’m telling you, middle school is all glamour.) I blew my nose on a strip of toilet paper and took a shaky breath.
    I wondered if I could just stay in this stall forever. With wireless Internet access, I might never have to face the world again.

I’m Being Followed
    A RE YOU OKAY?”
    Rhonda was standing in front of the row of sinks with a roll of toilet paper in her hand when I finally got the will to leave the bathroom stall. What a surprise.

    I heaved a sigh, which came out as a hiccup. I couldn’t decide whether I was happy to see her or annoyed that she’d followed me into the bathroom. Both, I guess.
    “I’m fine, thanks.” I took the roll of toilet paper and tore off a half dozen squares. My nose was really runny.
    I checked myself out in the mirror as I splashed water on my face and patted it dry with a scratchy brown paper towel. I looked pretty hideous. Green hair, red and splotchy face… I looked like something out of a Muppets movie.
    Rhonda patted me on the back as I headed toward the door. I appreciated the silent support. Unfortunately, the silence ended the minute we stepped into the hallway.
    “I REALLY LOVE YOUR HAIR! WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DYE IT GREEN?”
    I snorted. “It was my brother’s idea.” It was funny how people—except the Princesses—seemed to like the green hair. Maybe Rafe wasn’t so crazy after all.
    “ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP IT GREEN?” Rhonda asked. “YOU REALLY SHOULD! IT’SAWESOME FOR A ROCK STAR! OR MAYBE YOU’LL TRY A FEW DIFFERENT COLORS? DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT GO FOR PURPLE?”
    It was kind of amazing how quickly Rhonda could think of new questions. She didn’t even need answers.
    “IT’S SO GREAT THAT YOU AREN’T AFRAID TO HAVE GREEN HAIR,” Rhonda gushed. “YOU AND I ARE A LOT ALIKE—WE’RE NOT AFRAID TO BE DIFFERENT, RIGHT, GEORGIA?”
    Rhonda was talking at an even higher volume than usual, and a few people stared as we made our way down the hall. “I’m not trying to be different,” I snapped.
    “YOU’RE JUST BEING YOURSELF!” Rhonda crowed. “WE ARE WHO WE ARE!”
    “Rhonda! We’re
not
alike, okay?” I snarled in a tone I usually save for Rafe. “So can you please just stop following me around?”
    Rhonda froze up. Her eyes filled with tears.
    I am the worst person ever
, I thought. Yelling at Rhonda is like yelling at a puppy that just can’t help itself. “I’m sorry, Rhonda—I’m just…”
    Her face brightened. “YOU’RE JUST HAVING A BAD DAY!”
    “Yeah,” I told her. “I am. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
    “IT’S OKAY,” Rhonda said. “IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME