Ninth Grade Slays Read Online Free PDF Page B

could, because Vlad was about to get the beating of his life, and anyone who associated with Vlad might be subject to the same punishment. But instead, he shoved Bill out of the way and opened his locker again. “Lay off, caveman.”
    To Vlad’s horror, Joss gave Bill’s shoulder a light push, almost like they were ganging up on the bullies together. “You’re not giving Vlad any trouble, are you? Not after our little talk this morning.”
    â€œFreshman, he’s about to enter the kidney donor program. If you don’t wanna join him, I suggest you back off.”
    Vlad wrinkled his forehead. How would that work, exactly? If the idea was to punch a kidney out, he was pretty sure it wouldn’t be a viable organ anymore. And what was with Bill calling Joss “freshman”? He and Tom were in the same grade as Vlad and Joss.
    Bill swiveled around until he was facing Vlad again and raised his fist. Vlad got ready to dodge, but in a blink, Joss had Bill by the wrist and flipped him around, pinning his fist behind him. Joss shoved Bill into the locker until Bill’s cheek was perfectly flat against the metal. “Now, I want you to listen really closely to what I’m about to tell you. Leave Vlad alone. Or next time, I’ll break your arm. You got me?”
    He released Bill just as Mrs. Bell rounded the corner. She flashed them all a disapproving snarl, but Vlad didn’t think she’d seen Joss’s karate-fast reflexes.
    Tom grabbed Bill by the sleeve, and they moved quickly down the hall and out the front doors without another word.
    Again. Just like this morning. Once more, Vlad had been a loser in distress, despite shoving Bill back. Once more, someone else had come to his aid, because Vlad hadn’t been capable of defending himself.
    His thoughts trailed briefly to Otis’s letter and the notion of mind control.
    He grabbed his backpack and shut the locker door. “Thanks. I owe you one.”
    Joss shrugged, as if it had been no big deal. “So you said earlier we could hang out. I just got Race to Armageddon for the PS2 and—”
    Vlad held up a hand, his initial irritation at being rescued quickly melting away. “Dude, I’ve got Race to Armageddon2 .”
    â€œWhat’s the difference?”
    Vlad shook his head. “What rock does your family live under?” He moved down the hall toward the exit, gesturing for Joss to follow.
    Three hours later they were sprawled in front of the couch in Vlad’s living room, surrounded by potato chip bags and empty Pepsi cans. Joss’s eyes were wide with amazement. “That’s the goriest game I’ve ever seen.”
    Vlad smiled. It felt good to hang out with someone besides Henry. Henry, of course, was his closest friend in the world. But Joss was pretty cool. Besides, Joss was just a regular guy—probably as imperfect as Vlad. Henry was great, but Vlad got tired of always being in his shadow.
    That, and it was nice to actually win a video game once in a while.
    Nelly poked her head out of the kitchen. “Vladimir, is your new friend staying for dinner?”
    Vlad looked at Joss, who blushed and nodded. “I’ll have to call Aunt Matilda, but yeah . . . I’d love to.”
    Nelly handed Joss the phone, and he stepped into the other room.
    Once Vlad could hear mumbled conversation, he turned to Nelly. “Let me guess . . . spaghetti again?”
    Nelly just smiled.
    Spaghetti was the easiest food that they’d found to hide blood in whenever company was over. That is, company that wasn’t Henry. Vlad hated the slimy noodles, but blood mixed with tomato sauce—and just a hint of oregano—was pretty tasty, so he didn’t mind that much.
    Joss came back to the living room, looking happy and relieved. “She said I can stay, but I have to go home right after.”
    Knowing it would be a while before dinner was ready, Vlad led Joss upstairs,