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216 NE Knott St, fuses
503-988-5021
 rush
Svetlana Chmakova

a. = Ww a
5
 SVETLANA CHMAKOVA
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Hai dcover

pe9 a [3
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Be Ae Printed i tna.
the UnitedStates Americatl
 Toblest
\ corblabeal

GMAG PER Sah

CHAPTER © 104
» CHAPTER = Pte 126

_ COAPPFER B vv-154
mF) CHAPTER 9
$4)) ceAPTER 10°
- GhapTee W
CHAPTER 4
 JORGE RulZ,
HERE.

ON THE
BUS TO BERRYBROOK
MIDOLE SCHOOL, LIKE EVERY
a
a
MORNING.

CEXCEPT WEEKENDS.
THEY HAVEN'T TAKEN
THAT FROM US YET, HEH.)
YOU'LL NOTICE I'M KINDA BIG
FOR A MIDDLE SCHOOLER.

ALOT OF PEOPLE THINK

I'M REPEATING A GRADE OR
SOMETHING. (I'M NOT.)

BECAUSE I'M BIG, PEOPLE

ARE KINDA AFRA/D OF ME.

IS THERE
A PROBLEM

Z USE THAT.
RAD GEy
I'D NEVER HIT ANYONE
(NOT UNLESS /T’S
SELF-DEFENSE)...

...BUT THEY DON'T

KNOW THAT.

SO I'M KNOWN AS THE

“BIG, SCARY DUDE” YOU
DON'T MESS WITH.

KINDA MAKES /T
HARD TO MAKE FRIENDS,
I GUESS...?

THE REAL KIND,

PEOPLE YOU CAN JUST
BE YOURSELF WITH.

...BUT THAT'S A PROBLEM

FOR SOME OTHER BIG GLY.

HEY,
DUMB AND
DUMBER.

BECAUSE I GOT MY
PEOPLE RIGHT HERE.
THESE TWO
CLOWNS —

7) PB yy O10 HE JUST
OLIVIA AND GARRETT, FART SO HARD
My BEST FRIENDS SINC. oT
WE ALL THOUGHT THE ‘why Alles
TOOTH FAIRY WAS REAL. ;

LIV AND I HAVE BEEN AT

BERRYBROOK SINCE FOREVER,
BUT GARRETT ONLY JUST
TRANSFERRED TO OUR SCHOOL...

SO LIV’S BEEN
ALL OVER HIM, MAKING WHICH WORKS FOR ME
SURE HE “FITS RIGHT IN.” (BECAUSE PEOPLE FINALLY
STOPPED THINKING LIV AND
I ARE DATING).

IT WAS SO DLIMB.
 cia: Pass!| «'
= (a
a DH
s e L OTT.
Ipenxoroon
pee SCHOOL

AND THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY, THE

WHOLE SCHOOL’S OBSESSED—
WHO'S DATING WHO, WHO'S
ASKING WHO OUT...

WHO'S GOT
Loe TIME FOR THAT
RAP?
‘i Nag % | ; mE
NG.
HOW ARE
Ky

x S
10)=
WITH YOU?
 on

=e
a
‘tn
=
iN

Ww >
t

Ws 6
o-

AT.

SCHOOL'S THE SAME OLD

STUFF EVERY DAY.

TINY LOCKERS...
TINY DESKS...
 WISHING YOU WERE
NOT IN SCIENCE CLASS,
TAKING A TEST...

WISHING YOU WERE NOT

IN CLASS, PERIOD.

AND THEN...

8: :

I'M TELLING YOU,

THE TRASH CANS
ARE AVERAGE
STUDENT-SIZED!

WHICHI HAVE TO
PATROL DAILY...
 . . BECAUSE THERE'S
ALWAYS SOME BEATOCOWN
ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

C-
COME ON,
Guy$ ?
STOP iT!

PRETTY SURE
I HEARD HIM SAY,
“STOP IT.”

vN 5 Ni > S
SOMETIMES, I DON'T WHAT I'M ABOUT.
EVEN HAVE TO SAY
ANYTHING ANYMORE.
 MY DAD ALWAYS SAYS,
“STRENGTH /S A RESOURCE.
IF YOU HAVE A LOT AND
SOMEONE DOESN'T, YOU
GOTTA SHARE YOURS.”

a) att :
:j|
SS zi aS
SO THAT'S
WHAT I DO.
Gi WF iy 225 IS

HEY, LEAVE
HER ALONE!

JORGE, HEY!
YOU GOING
TO LUNCH?

ae
WITH YOUR
EVERYONE KNOWS YOU SNAIL PACE?
DON’T MESS WITH PEOPLE !
ON OUR WATCH.

WE'RE LIKE THE ULTIMATE

ACTION MOVIE TAC TEAM.
CHRIS, HEY!
WHAT'S UP? >
Hl, JORGE!

ig = Ni LA

WE'VE GOT OLIR MISSION, a

AND NOTHING CAN STOP—

LIV, HEY!
THERE YOU
ARE!
 YOu GUYS
GET FOOD
YET?

ON
: 7 t

y oF ]
4 A ¢

HEY, SHRIMP-MAN.
NOT YET. WE'RE
‘BOUT TO.

— MOSTLY FOOLS WHO

JUST WANNA KICK A BALL
AROUND AND FART...
 QUARTERBACK, ».AND THE MAN GARRETT WANTS
TEAM CAPTAIN, AN 70 BE WHEN HE GROWS UP.
HONOR STUDENT...

aly
WANNA COME
SIT WITH US?
a,

GARRETT WAS QUARTERBACK AT HIS

OLD SCHOOL AND REALLY, REALLY
WANTS PROPS FROM JAMES FOR THAT.

GOT A TABLE
ALREADY.

ie)tu &

REALLY?

17
THIS IS MY FRIEND ..AND SHE NOTICED
JAZMINE DUONG HOW SOME OF
FROM THE DRAMA YOU HAVE MORE
CLUB. MUSCLES THAN
BRAINS—

THEY NEED TO
MOVE SOME
HEAVY STUFF
TOMORROW...

OF BOXES...AND
WE NEED MORE
PEOPLE...

AFTER SCHOOL...
 AN HOUR?
AFTER
SCHOOL...? le YO, I'VE GOT
A GAME.

y-UH.. WE'LL
WAVE Cookies? GARRETT, QUIT
GLUTEN- JOKING AROUND.
YOU'RE GONNA
HELP, RIGHT?

UGH,
SERIOUSLY,
yOu 6UyS?!

I'VE GOT EXTRA

PRACTICE EVERY
DAY. WE'VE GOT
SOME BIG GAMES
COMING UP.
 UHH,
ACTUALLY... ek JUST
REMEMBERED
I GOT EXTRA
PRACTICE TOO.

THANKS
SO MUCH,
JORGE!
 I'LL BE THERE!
SEE YOU AND I'LL TRY TO
TOMORROW! FIND YOU MORE
PEOPLE!

THANK YOoOOUu!
T'LL SAVE YOU
GUYS ALL THE
COOKIES!

WHAAAT?!
THAT'S NOT

YOU'RE SO ——_—_
oBvIOUS!! % U'VE 60T
PRACTICE!!
 GUYS, REALLY?
QUIT IT WITH THE
FIGHTING.

. HEY, DO YOU STILL

NEED ME TO. LOG ON
TONIGHT?
TO HELP WITH WELL, BAD
THE FORTRESS NEWS —TURNS
RAID? OUT I CAN'T!

YOU SAID YOU'D

PLAY! WE NEED
ALL SIX PLAYERS!

BECAUSE I JUST THEY'VE REALLY

REMEMBERED ABOUT
BEEN FIGHTING
ALL THIS EXTRA A LOT LATELY.
PRACTICE I HAVE!
 THE NEXT DAY.
HALLWAY GOSSIP THINKS
es k THAT FIGHTING A LOT MEANS
: th | — THEY'RE ABOLIT TO DATE.
7a
a yaueMur =
WHiCtER =
oV
N'vo?

1. DON’T KNOW HOW

THAT WOULD WORK, THOUGH,
SINCE SHE ALREADY HAS A
BOYFRIEND.

COME EAT
LUNCH WITH

WE ALL JUST SORT

e aTNTLY.mT
LattAPPARE St ae
OF DEAL WITH IT...

IN’ ,
\NITH THIS!7

Des Gera ROOM ,

You es
G it over
yet?can
Look ?
 DON'T LISTEN
TO GARRETT.
HE'S JUST
JEALOUS.

SO WHAT GAME
DO YOU WANNA PLAY - LIKE I SAID,
FOR DATE NIGHT? REEEAL WEIRD FOR l=
7 EVERYBODY. VA
BS —S Le

I’M SO GLAD I DON'T

HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
ANY OF THIS DATING
NONSENSE.

THANKS
$0 MUCH,
\ JORGE!
 I DO NOT HAVE A
CRUSH ON JAZM/NE.

ae ralt
—
=
ay St
i
gg sO FA =
lamer
——1 SEE You
TOMORROW! jqhlaS I'LL JUST GO, HELP
| OUT, AND LEAVE, LIKE
——, HEY, DON'T You ALL'S NORMAL.
j i YW GUYS HAVE ART
(Cv | 2 CLUB TODAY?

PLAY SOME KICK-

BALL! COME ON!

YO, I'M HELPING

OLIVIA AT THE
DRAMA THING,
REMEMBER?

HOMEWORK,
Yes!

AND DIDN'T \] KICKBALL...

YOU SAY YOU HOMEWORK?
HAD HOMEWORK? ) JI .
 DUDE, CAN You
COVER FOR ME?
LIV WILL KILL ME
IF SHE FINDS
OUT.

GOOD LUCK
WITH DRAMA-
LLAMAS! SEE YOU
TOMORROW!
<i ia

brie ee F
—— po
Peel | epee

roe

LIV'S FRIENDS WITH THEM,

SO THEY CAN'T BE SO BAD.

GONNA GO
THERE, HELP OUT AND NOT
GET ALL WEIRD
OVER A GIRL.
 HEARD You
GUYS NEED
HELP TO MOVE
ARE YOu
JORGE?

HA-HA, OMG,
HE LOOKS JUST
LIKE JAZMINE
SAID!

SHE SAID, “A
THOUSAND FEET
TALL, LOOKS LIKE
HE SHOULD HAVE
HIS OWN ACTION
MOVIE.”
 OH! HERE
SHE COMES

IT's okay, Va
IT'S OKAY!

JORGE!
YOU DID
COME!
 's
Let
one
eeIs.

e
uefIv ALL?
/ (

F a
) a
, Yo
u
DUDE ELP US,
O
A H
GON YOU JUST
N
OR AND
A ST
GONN RE?
THE

*
ee eT

ea

G?”
IT GOIN
HOW'S
THAT
T LIKE
¢ JUSLY OUT LoUD)
.
(ON
 MY GOSH,
OH

JORGE!

+ JAZMINE I'M MRS. FERRIS,

DESCRIBED THE NEW DRAMA
you! TEACHER.

UST
YOU CAN J XES
PUT THE BO
WHO ELSE HAS MRS. FERRIS!
BOXES? JUST ANOTHER BOX
BRING THEM RIPPED!
IN HERE!
WE
RESCUED THE
CONTE NTS!

JUST MAKE A
{ } {\X fy CN PILE INSIDE.

r(ZA,
: Bie, = OF: ;

ig
MZ
i, Yh
»,

ONE,
CAN |! HAVE YOUR
ATTENTION, PLEASE \
WE ONLY HAVE
THE TRUCK FOR
ONE MORE HOUR!

THAT MEANS, IN “2 Y | WILL GET

ONE HOUR, ALL THE YOU PIZZA
BOXES HAVE TO BE IF YOU GUYS
OFF THE TRUCK!! DO THAT!
 . UHHH... JUST
AN HOUR?

ARE
BET I CAN
: WE REALLY
MOVE MORE A GONNA GET
BOXES THAN
you.

... SHE WASN'T KIDDING

AGOUT THE BOXES! .
 LIMIT'S ONE,
KID, SORRY...
tl
OR IT'LL

ZEKE!!
STACKS
SHOULD BE HEY,
FOUR BOXES
HIGH, OKAY?

WHERE DO
YOU WANT
THIS BOX?

OVER THERE
IN THE CORNER,
PLEASE!
THEY'LL
TOPPLE!
v” 'SUP, JAZMINE. GOT A
Se HERE, WHERE 00
YOU WANT IT?

CAN YOU PUT

IT IN THE STACK
OVER THERE,
PLEASE?
 WE HAVE
” WIC, NOL! , HALF AN
HOUR LEFT,
y GH, JUST PEOPLE!
GIVE ME
THE BOX!

I GOT TWENTY
OVER THERE, BOXES.
PLEASE!

GET TWENTY
BOXES?
IT's 0
IT'S OKAY!
ARE YOU
ARE THE
BOXES...?

just GONNA...PuT THEM

ANyWHERE...yOu CAN'T

I HAVE A
DELIVERY HERE
FOR..."ALL THE
PIZZA! ALL OF
IT?”
 THE LOCAL
COSTUME STORE
WAS CLEARING
OUT THEIR OLD
STUFF.
BELIEVE WE WHAT WERE AND MRS. FERRIS'S
MO WE LUGGING : WIFE GOT THEM TO
x DONATE IT TO Us!

E
HAVE ALL THE
COSTUMES /N
THE LAND!

THANKS SO
MUCH FOR
COMING TO
 JORGE,
ESPECIALLY YOU!
I KNOW YOU Vou
DIDN'T HAVE TO. TALKING TO
ME!!!

STARTING TO
THINK YOU
HATE ME OR
SOMETHING.

colle:
THIS SPOT

HA-HA, YOU
KNOW IT'S
NOT.
 JORGE, I DON’T .. YEARBOOK
KNOW IF YOU'VE CLUB AND...
MET MY BOYFRIEND,
ZEKE? HE’S IN THE...

DUDE,
YOU OKAY?

SEE YOU
TOMORROW!
I SUDDENLY REALLY HAD
70 GET OUT OF THERE.

10eDO
J. LIKE
JAZMINE?
CGSHAPLTER 3
 JORGE,
HEADS UP!

MAN,
WHAT'S UP YOU'RE
WITH YOU?! REALLY OUT
OF IT TODAY.

WATCH
ARE YOUOu S$SICK WHERE YOU
THROW THAT
OR SOMETHING?

.ARE YOU ’
REALLY OKAY? a YOU DON'T
LOOK OKAY.

YOu'vE
BEEN WEIRD
ALL DAY.

r Qs Aue
aN ke
Se :
NX ~Sa
I'M FINE.
Quit BUGGING ME.

Meet My
BOYFRIEND!
 ...YOU KNOW
YOU CAN TALK
YOU KNOW T'LL
ALWAYS LISTEN.

LVIS A
GOOD FRIEND.
 MAN, i
YOU'RE BOTH WHAT'S YOUR YOU WORRIED
LIKE SULKY PROBLEM? ABOUT THE GAME
BABIES THIS WEEKEND OR
SOMETHING?

WHY WOULD I WORRY

ABOUT THAT?
YOU KNOW
I WON'T EVEN
GET TO PLAY!

SHE'S JUST
GONNA KEEP ME
ON THE BENCH
FOREVER.

WHILE JAMES PLAYS

ALL THE GAMES.

HEY, IWAS A
STARTER AT MY
OLD SCHOOL! I
WON GAMES!

BE STARTER
QUARTERBACK,
NOT JAMES!

THOUGH.
 WANNA QUIT ?
FOOTBALL AND COME OR DO JIU ;
PLAY BASEBALL JITSU WITH ME!
1000% MORE
wee? SKULL DAMAGE,
100% LESS I PROMISE.
SKULL DAMAGE.

PwIlt
PERSONALLY

--WHY'RE YOU
ALL SOUR ABOUT IT
ALL OF A SUDDEN?

YEAH, DUDE,
YOU'VE BEEN BACKUP
FOR WEEKS. WHAT
CHANGED?

I'M NOT PART

OF THE TEAM,
OKAY? NOT
REALLY.
THAT'S WHAT IT
FEELS LIKE.

NO MATTER
How HARD | TRY.
 WHAT? BUT
YOU GUYS ARE
ALWAYS HANGING
OUT TOGETHER!
LAUGHING AND—

NOT WITH
JAMES AND
HIS CREW.

MY MOM WANTS
TO THROW A TEAM
“BONDING” PARTY...
--AND WAS ALL,
“JUST INVITE
THEM ALL!”

THEY EVEN
SHOW UP...?

JAMES AND
THEM?
 YOUR PARTY?
HE'LL BE THERE.

GIVE ME A
FEW DAYS.

SHE'LL MAKE /T HAPPEN.

LIV'S SOCIAL KNOW-HOW
1S LIKE A SUPERPOWER.

IF SHE EVER
TURNED EVIL, WE'D ALL
BE IN TROUBLE.
 C'MON,
YOU'LL BEA
PAL, RIGHT?

MAYBE
HEY, BIG Guy. (J) _ IF You Get
CAN WE COUNT ON BETTER FACES.
YOU FOR BETTER
YEARBOOK
PHOTOS THIS LIKE, WITH
INTELLIGENCE.
————————

SEE YOU AT
WE WERE THE ATHLETICS
JUST PLAYIN’. CLUB MEET AFTER
DON'T WORRY. Sc
AWAY FROM
CIVILIZED
PEOPLE!

La

5 ! > .

EVERY DAY, LIFE i

MAKES LESS AND
LESS SENSE.
 CUNLIKE MIDDLE YOU EITHER DON’T
SCHOOL LIFE, UGH.) MAKE THAT SHOT—

FEELS LIKE A
MILLION BUCKS.

C... ASSUME,
I'VE NEVER SEEN
A MILLION BUCKS.)
 MAN, WISH
I HAD YOU ON STOP COURTING ae ene
THE TEAM! HIM! YOU KNOW MEET TODAY?
HE'S IN LOVE WITH :
BASEBALL!

FOOTBALL TEAM
WANTS ALL THE
BUDGET APPARENTLY.

» ATHLETICS CLUB
MIGHT BE opt ARE
A FIIIGHT. ALWAYS A FIGHT.

YO, DID YOUR Z YEAH...MY MOM

MOM PICK YOUR ACTUALLY CARES
HOW I LOOK. SS

EVERYTHING'S A SHOWDOWN,
TRYING TO ONE-UP EACH OTHER,
EVEN WITH TALKING.
COACH RASHAD IS at SETTLE DOWN,
WAAAY NOT INTO — OR IT'S FIFTY LAPS
THAT, THOUGH. FOR ALL OF YOU!

TAL

aS ara)
PP SC
was ON
ae

ANP NO ONE WILL

MESS WITH HER
BECAUSE RUMOR /S
SHE CAN BENCH-
PRESS A TRUCK.

OKAY, BEFORE IF YOU CAN'T

WE START— THIS USE YOUR SPORTS
IS YOUR MONTHLY SKILLS TO WIN AND
REMINDER. HAVE TO RESORT
TRASH TALK? TO VERBAL ABUSE
AND INSULTS ON
MY FIELD—

S7/LL NOT
ALLOWED ON
SCHOOL TEAMS.

ATHLETIC FUND-RAISER
BALL IS IN SEVEN WEEKS.
THERE'S A LOT TO DO.

ARE ALL
THE TEAM
REPS HERE?
 REMEMBER—
TICKETS, THE MORE MONEY
PEOPLE! WE RAISE, THE MORE
STUFF WE CAN AFFORD
FOR THE TEAMS

SO PUT YOUR
FAMILY, HEADS TOGETHER
FRIENDS, ENEMIES— AND FIGURE OUT
EVERYONE'S FAIR A STRATEGY.
GAME.

OMG, LIV,
WERENT WE
JUST TALKING
ABOUT THIS?!!
SPIRIT
SQUAD IS
SO HERE
FOR THIS!!

HOW ABOUT
WE COULD DO, LIKE, A STARTING WITH THE
WHOLE EVENT IN THe FOOTBALL GUYS?
CAFETERIA AND—

THE MOST
PEOPLE.

YEAH, YEAH,
GOOD. UH...
 I'VE GOT AN
AWESOME
IDEA!!

DON'T YOu
THINK JAMES
WILL SHOW UP
AT GARRETT'S
PARTY...

YEP. IF LIV EVER SEE YOU

WEAPONIZED HER TOMORROW,
SOCIAL SKILLS, WE'D JORGE!
ALL BE DOOMED. I'M GOING
OVER To BROOKE'S
 STILL GOT
HOMEWORK
AND BASEBALL

oT
LN

UH, YEAH,
THEY LEFT A
WHILE AGO.

ARE JAMES
AND THE OTHERS
GONE...?
 I JUST
WANTED TO
SAY...

FOR YELLING
AT YOU
TODAY.

I DIDN'T
MEAN IT.

SORRY
HE BLEW
uP AT You
LIKE THAT.

HE WAS JUST...
SCARED AND ABOUT
UPSET, Y'KNOW? JAMES AND
THEM.

WE KNOW
YOU'RE A
GOOD Guy.

DON'T WORRY
ABOUT IT.
See? I told
you he's
awesome.

ANYWAY, SORRY
FOR STALKING YOU...

I KNOW YOU AND LIV

HAD CLUB MEET TODAY.

THANKS SO MUCH
FOR LOOKING OUT
FOR EVERYONE!
CHAPTER +
 ANOTHER
HIT!

YOU'RE A
BEAST TODAY,

HE eceapidl
ID 3
YOU SURE an
YOU EVEN NEED

I'M DOING IT!

I'M JUST WONDERING
HOW LONG WE'RE
GONNA BE.

GOT
HOMEWORK,
YOU KNOW?
 ACTUALLY,
IT’S
MADDEN.

YOU'RE
..-50 YOU REALLY THE BEST!
THINK YOU CAN GET
JAMES TO COME TO
MY PARTY?

COME ON, YOU

KNOW I'VE GOT
YOUR BACK.

OH, HE'S
COMING. DON'T
WORRY. UNLESS
YOU'RE POOPING
IN OLD MAN DAN’S
BUSHES AGAIN.
 I'M NOT COVERING HEY, BIG J
FOR THAT AGAIN! AND I WERE
SIX TOO!

OH MY GOD,
| WAS SIX!!!
YOU DIDN'T SEE
ARE YOU EVER US POOPING IN HIS
GONNA LET THAT BUSHES. RIGHT, J?
GOOF!

YOU OKAY?
You've BEEN
SO QUIET.

Rae a cram : AND FOLDED

PUT UP A TENT IN TOP OFER?
LIV’S BACKYARD?
I THOUGHT
SHE WAS
GONNA
MURDER US.
 I’M NOT FINE.

1 7\| Se
uke et |
I NOTICE HER
EVERYWHERE NOW.

OH, HI,
JORGE!

AND THERE'S A SCENT,

LIKE, HER SHAMPOO OR
SOMETHING?
 OR AT LEAST
. HEY, IS IT HARD DON'T 00 IT, WAIT UNTIL THE
TO TRANSFER TO MAN!! WE SEASON'S OVER.
ANOTHER SCHOOL? NEED YOU!

OKAY, SHUT WE'RE OFFICIALLY

UP, EVERYONE. PAST 60% IN TICKET
I HAVE GOOD SALES FOR THE
ATHLETICS BALL!!

OH, DID you

BREAK UP ALREADY? :
WITH YOUR
BOYFRIEND? NICE!

WHO'S GOT A
KEEP AT IT, DATE FOR THE
OBVIOUSLY...
BALL?! DOES ANYONE
-- SELL, NEED A DATE FOR
LIKE, 110%... THE BALL?

...BUT IN THE
MEANTIME! GIVE (T
A REST!
 WE'RE ALL JUST
GONNA GO AS FRIENDS
AND HAVE FUN.

RIGHT, GUYS?

I MEAN IT!

STOPPIT WITH MAYBE A

YOUR MATCH- LITTLE DATE,
MAKING SCHEMES! THO'? NO...?

YOU GUYS ARE

ZERO FUN.

HEY, NOT EVERYONE'S HEY, DON'T

OBSESSED WITH DATING HATE! DON'T
RANDOM NPCs LIKE YOU HATE!
ARE.

SOME OF US WE DON’T NEED

JUST WANNA BE DATES FOR ANY
FREE AGENTS! STUPID BALL,
AMIRITE, J?
xs = = you
CRAZY Ki lf

WHERE
ARE YOU—

GET A GRIP.
 HAVEN'T EATEN
LUNCH ALONE /N
FOREVER.

(zea)
/T'S QUIET HERE.

OW, COME ON!

_

|/é
|? :
=
=

(2 GY
 SO, HEY!
I'M DOING
JAZMINE THE ATHLETICS
TOLD YOU, RIGHT? SECTION, AND
I'M AN EDITOR WITH | I THOUGHT...
THE YEARBOOK
CLUB?

... YOU COULD

HELP!

THAT WAY, I'LL

GET ALL THE INFO
ACCURATE...

.- AND JAMES
WON'T BUG ME.
YOU CAN BE MY
SOURCE AND MY
BODYGUARD!

WE CAN DO AN
INTERVIEW WITH
YOU— REALLY MAKE
THE ATHLETICS CLUB
LOOK GOOD, YOU
KNOW?

GET
EVERYTHING
RIGHT.
 IS THAT A

fs. <_
. OKAY, SOI SAID YES.

C...BECAUSE I
MAKE BAD LIFE
DEC/SIONS.) I HEARD
YOU WERE
HELPING!
THANK YOU! ,
 I BROUGHT
COOKIES FOR
EVERYONE!

DO YOU LIKE
CHOCOLATE

AND THAT
I DION'T FORGET ZEKE WASN'T
HOW WORDS WORK AROUND.
WHEN SHE'S AROUND.
 SHE LIKES HIM...SO
HE MUST BE OKAY...

; AND THEN JUST TURN

(f HE'S WEIRD. NASTY ON SOMETHING.
b GE | oT See SE Rw es =SSS we

BACK ME
UP, MAN!

THEY TOTALLY
SHOULD, RIGHT?

~
|

COME WITH us yee a Fay

TO GARRETT'S ap A SO YOUaaa
THERE,
CAN REALLY TALK
TO THEM!
 INSISTED ON
COOKING. ye RE/
IT’S YOUR
PROBLEM NOW.

MOOOOM!
THAT SMELLS Rs. RUI2
AMAZING.

PUT IT IN THE C'MON, MAN.

KITCHEN! I'LL EAT PARTY'S
ALL OF IT! DOWNSTAIRS.
HI, JORGE!

aS
 HEY, GUYS, MAKE
SURE TO TRY ALL
THESE SNACKS HERE!
 WHAT IF THEY
DECIDED NOT
TO COME?!

Neither is
James...

..0oreven
Brooke and her
stupid Spirit
Squad.

I'M SO GLAD
YOU'RE HERE!
WE DON'T KNOW
ANYONE...

ZEKE WAS
STARTING TO
THINK LIV PLAYED
A JOKE ON US.

WELL, SHE'S
STILL NOT HERE,
IS SHE? AFTER ee
BEING ALL "OH, T'LL
INTRODUCE YOU TO ean ar
EVERYONE!”
 S-SORRY. HE'S
JUST NERVOUS...
NEW PEOPLE
AND ALL...

Mg “<
\ gS ¥) :
= y
Wl EN
 WHERE WERE
YOU Guys?! SORRY WE'RE
SO LATE! WE WERE
ROBBING A PARTY

BROOKE'S MOM
MADE US GET ALL
THIS STUFF! SHE
TOTES PAID.

BROOKE,
MANDY,
SHAWNA— THIS IS ZEKE!
HE'S FROM THE
YEARBOOK CLUB. I TOLD
YOU ABOUT HIM.

YOU'RE WRITING
AN ARTICLE ABOUT
us!

I GUESS
HE'S NOT
LEAVING
YOU HAVE ANYMORE?
QUESTIONS. WE HAVE
ANSWERS.
ALL OF THEM.
 P «LS SHE OKAY?

\
ae

FAVORITE
PEOPLE!

»AND JUST LIKE THAT,

GARRETT'S PARTY WAS
RA/SED FROM THE DEAD.

BECAUSE LIV.
 WHAT OTHER
GAMES YOU GOT?
DO YOU HAVE

. AND I GUESS ZEKE 1S

GETTING THE INTERVIEWS
Bl we HE WANTED?

=
ba
a

Zs
ecAL Ci

(5a ay
Toa

q
|

i
\
¢
OH, Y'
WE CAN SET UP
A SPECIAL PHOTO
SHOOT FOR YOU
Guys. WHATEVER WN ((
YOU WANT.
 WHAT YOU DO
(Sea MEAN, “WHAT’?
STEAL MY Ss WE WERE GOING
BOYFRIEND FOR A i TO LEAVE FIFTEEN
MINUTE, ‘KAY? i MINUTES AGO!

WHEN WERE
I ALREADY YOU GONNA
TEXTED MY PARENTS
t THAT I'M GONNA
STAY LATER.

82
 WELL, WELL
THEN...

NO ONE'S
KEEPING YOU
HERE, GEEZ!

WHAT IS THE
PROBLEM HERE,
Gop! GOOD-BYE,
ZEKE.
YOU WANNA
GO, GO.

ENJOY THE
YEAH, YEAH.
LATER!
CHAPTER S
 Moo eee

aN al

SHE DIDN'T
LOOK OKAY...

S |=
Q N Sy= x 5Ny X
WHAT'S UP
N & xx Q ANY= WITH JAZMINE
AND ZEKE?

vA
WHY 00
YOU WANNA
KNOW?

...NOPE. BAD PLAN.

 LIKE,
WHAT DO
YOU THINK?

IF YOU HAD
A GIRLFRIEND,
WOULD YOU DITCH
HER AT A PARTY?

OR IF SHE DITCHED you

I JUST GOT FOR OTHER PEOPLE...
INTO THIS WEIRD
TEXT-FIGHT ---WOULD YOU
WITH MARCUS THINK IT'S TOTALLY
YESTERDAY. OKAY AND NORMAL?

ZI MEAN,
LOYALTY!
LOOK IT UP!

WELL, MARCUS
WAS ALL, “WELL, HOW
CUTE ARE THE OTHER
GIRLS?” AND I WAS
LIKE, “THAT'S NOT AND GET
FUNNY,” UGH! YOU SOME!

ORGE!
ZLVIA!
 SHE...SHE SENT ME
WHy'RE YOU ofr al
LOOKING FOR AND THEN STOPPED
HER, ZEKE? REPLYING.

SO I NEED TO
FIND HER AND

YOU MEAN
THE ONE WHERE H-HOW 00
SHE BROKE UP YOU KNOW
WITH YOU? ABOUT THAT?IL

WHY DON'T
SHE'S MY FRIEND, YOU GO TALK TO
ZEKE. SHE TELLS THE GIRLS YOU
ME WHEN SHE DITCHED HER FOR
BREAKS UP WITH A YESTERDAY?
SLEAZEBALL!

I WAS JUST
DOING RESEARCH!
FOR THE ARTICLE!
 OH, YEAH?
WHAT ABOUT AND SHAYNA'S
NIC'S PARTY? BIRTHOAY? WHAT
RESEARCH
WERE YOU DOING
THERE? ‘

YOU WERE A
CRAPPY BOYFRIEND,
ZEKE! YOU'RE
DONE!

: THAT'S...GOOD?

SO GLAD
JAZ DUMPED
HIS CREEPY
BUTT!!
 SHE BROKE IRIGHT?
KNOW,
UP WITH HIM?
HE'S
OH, GOOD A
SUCHACE.
TWO-F
RIDDANCE! !

SHE SHOULD DATE

SOMEONE WHO'S,
LIKE, NOT A JERK!

YEAH!!
WITH
SOMEONE
NICE!
OO0O00H, I
WHO WON'T
KNOW! LET'S
SET HER UP! DITCH HER AT A
PARTY!

YEAH, YEAH!
SOMEONE
RELIABLE!

ALEX...
WHO DO WE BASKETBALL
KNOW LIKE ALEX?
THAT?
 YEAH!
THEY'D BE SO :
CUTE TOGETHER! SHE'S NOT
REALLY INTO
SPORTY TYPES,
THOUGH.

WELL, YOU WEREN'T

INTO NERDY TYPES!

BUT LOOK AT
YOU AND MARCUS.

WHAT'S WITH THAT

FACE? TROUBLE IN
PARADISE?

I CAN'T BELIEVE you

AND JAMES WERE
STILL GOING AT IT
WHEN I LEFT!

; YEAH!! WE
YESTERDAY! PLAYED UNTIL,
LIKE, ELEVEN!!
 JORGE,
HE SAID YOU
SHOULD COME

...BUT WE'RE GONNA

HAVE A REMATCH
AT HIS PLACE THIS
WEEKEND!

..-GARRETT'S SO
EXCITED...
ANYWAY, f BACK
COULD IT BE HIS... TO JAZMINE.
NEW BROMANCE?

IF NOT ALEX, HOW

ABOUT FELIPE FROM
THE NEWSPAPER?
HE'S AWESOME.

THAT JAIME FROM THEY'D BE

SCIENCE CLUB TOO— Ane bABLE
REALLY CUTE. TOGETHER.
.. SHE'S PROBABLY
NOT EVEN HERE.

SHE
DOESN'T
WANT TO SEE

JAZMINE!!

YOU CAN'T JUST

BLOCK ME!
 Y-YEAH!
THERE IS!

IS THERE I WANNA TALK

A PROBLEM TO JAZMINE, BUT
HERE? THEY WON'T LET
ME IN—

-.-DOES SHE SHE'S DONE

WANNA TALK TALKING TO
TO YOU? you!

SHE HAS TO LET

ME EXPLA/IN—

SHE REALLY
DOESN'T.
 WH-WHA. ..?

BUDDY, ARE
YOU THICK?
AND IT SOUNDS
LIKE SHE DOESN'T / 4,

WANT TO LISTEN. ne
GOTTA GIVE ME A SHE. DOESN'T.
CHANCE TO— OWE. YOU.
RESPECT ANYTHING.
THAT.

YOU'RE STALKING
AND HARASSING. THAT'S RIGHT,
YOU'RE A TOTAL
STALKER!!

GO AWAY BEFORE I
CALL MRS. FERRIS!

UGH, WHY'S HE
SUCH A CREEP ALL
OF A SUDDEN?!
 THANKS FOR
CHASING HIM
OFF, SHERIFF!

OR I'LL LOOK LIKE

A STALKER TOO...

JORGE! YOU
PROTECTED ME!

LET'S GO TO THE
ATHLETICS BALL
Don't WE
HAVE CLUB
TODAY?
 “

wee oN Sp
sae 3~ aot ea ion
~ Sahil 5

ARE you
OKAY?

YEAH, I’M
DONE WITH
HIS CRAP.
 ..OH, DID YOU
SEE OLIVIA
AND BROOKE?

HAVE THEY
LEFT YET?

THEY WERE
SO ANNOYING
TODAY.

IT'S LIKE
THEY'RE TRYING
I MEAN, I KNOW
TO ARRANGE
THEY MEAN WELL, MY MARRIAGE.
BUT WGH.

I HEARD ZEKE WAS

HARASSING NIC AND
EVERYONE TODAY...

...BUT YOU HELPED

CHASE HIM OFF?
THANK YOU.
YOU'RE A REALLY
GOOD PERSON,
JORGE.

Tee WELL, I’LL

SEE YOU
AROUND!

1d HAVE TO SAY
SOMETHING.
W-WOULD
you
EVER...

--G-GO TO THE
ATHLETICS BALL?
W-WITH ME?

ATHLETICS
BALL...?
css
GHAPLES 6
 DID THAT REALLY
HAPPEN?

DIDN'T KNOW
SHE'D SAY YES!
 HEY, LISTEN.
WE GOT BIG MADDEN
PLANS THIS TOURNAMENT
WEEKEND — | AT MY HOUSE.

YOU'RE GIVE THESE

GOOD. You LOSERS A
GOTTA COME. FIGHTING CHANCE. y
/.

UGH. THEY NEED TO

STOP ASKING ME.

YOUR PRACTICE IS
DURING THE DAy!
WE'RE DOING IT
WAY LATER!

GOTTA FINISH
Cl THING TO THAT SCIENCE.
FINISH, 50 ‘HE, CAN'T SKIP THAT.
Y'KNOW, DOESN'T
FAIL ME.
 WELL, SEE YOU
LATER, EGGHEAD.

.-C'MON, YOU HEY, UH...

COULD TOTALLY
TRY TO MAKE IT! DON'T TRY TO
SET ME UP WITH
THOSE GUYS,
"KAY?

THEY'RE TOTAL
TROLLS WHEN
THEY PLAY.

NOT MY
THING.

YOU WANNA
YOU MEAN THE WAY HANG WITH THEM,
THEY TALK? IT'S JUST FINE. IT’S A FREE
FOR LAUGHS. THEY COUNTRY.
DON'T MEAN ANY

YEAH, BUT I'M NOT

RIGHT... GONNA.
 WHATEVER,
I GUESS.

HEY,
JAMES, GUYS,
WAIT UP!

Are YOU TAKING

JAZMINE TO THE
BALL 7/7
 ( DIDN'T EVEN KNOW
yOU LIKED HER!!

‘ wHy DIDN'T YOU

OF COURSE SHE'D o , TELL ME?
KNOW — SHE AND | |
JAZMINE TALK ALL — THIS IS SO
THE TIME. | AMAZING!!

TwO OF MY FAVORITE
BUDDIES!! DATING!! IS THIS WHY
Um SO HAPPY!! YOU'VE BEEN SO
WEIRD LATELY?

i
| LUTE

ONG, I
KNEW IT!
I KNEW SOMETHING
WAS UP!

YOU WERE
CRUSHING ON . UH, I-1
JAZMINE!! a HAVE TO GO.
 U-UM,
un cee
YOU LATER.

AAAH, 'M SO
EXCITED FOR

LATER?
LIKE WHEN?
LIKE DURING CAN'T WAIT TO
LUNCH? TELL BROOKE!!
- WAIT, WHAT?
FORGOT. THIS WHOLE
SCHOOL IS A GIANT
GOSS/P MACHINE.

LUNCH 1S GONNA SUCK.

1.2 WONDER IF SHE'D WANT

70 EAT LUNCH TOGETHER.

he re PY
BUT SHE'S NOT IN
ANY OF MY CLUBS
OR CLASSES.

I SHOULD ASK FOR

HER PHONE NUMBER!
 ’ WELL ’ S: i
WHO HAVE
WE HERE?

YOUR PRINCESS IS
NOT IN THIS CASTLE.

I THINK SHE’S
IN THE LIBR—

BOY, GOSS/P
WORKS FAST.

»0e SHE ‘S NOT

HERE EITHER.
 .=
© VeRea 3
YG,
WANT HER
NUUUMBER?
OOH-LA-LA!

| -eae
OLIVIA |
| eaeNUMBER. |
 YOU ALL
RIGHT?

... SOMEONE
SAY THAT TO

YOU KNOW
HOW WE GOT
THE ATHLETICS
BALL? IT'S A

WELL, HE KNOWS
YOU'RE, LIKE, KICK- TOO, AND I KINDA
ASS INDEPENDENT. ASSUMED THAT...THAT
HE'D COME? WITH
WHAT'S HIS ME?
PROBLEM?
 - HE SAID
THAT'S JUST
ME BEING
NEEDY.

THAT BOARD
THAT HE'S GOT
GAME THING
SOME BIG ONLINE WITH HIM.
GAME LAUNCH TO
WATCH THAT NIGHT. GUH, IT WAS
So BORING..--

..-BUT, LIKE,
IT'S WHAT You
DO, RIGHT?

YOU SUPPORT
EACH OTHER'S...
STUFF...!

weeL'M LESS
IMPORTANT
THAN A
WHY WON'T HE GAME TO
SUPPORT MINE? HIM.
 THUNDERNATOR
HAS ARRIVED!

IT'S MY NEW YEAH! JAMES SENT ME AN

PLAYER TAG! MADE INVITE OUT OF THE BLUE!
IT LAST NIGHT,
FOR JAMES’S WE PLAYED,
LIKE, THREE
MISSIONS!

WAIT, SO YOU WHAT?? I KEPT

WERE ONLINE PINGING YOU, BUT
YESTERDAY? YOU NEVER REPLIED!

IT WAS AMAZ/NG!
5
ioieeenenineiaenens
OH YEAH, EVER SINCE
I SAW THOSE, THE PARTY, I'M
LIKE, WAAAY FINALLY ONE OF
LATER! THE Guys!

MY CHAT WAS
BLOWING UP!
I THINK JAMES'S
WHOLE CREW
WAS THERE.
 PFFT, WHATEVER.
BOY, I'M SURE
GLAD I SET THAT
UP FOR YOU. WE'RE STILL ON
TO PLAY TONIGHT,
WITH NO
THANKS OR
ANYTHING.

YOU'RE I NEED SOME

THE BEST! MINDLESS FPS
ACTION.

THUNDERNATOR JORGE,
IS IN HIGH DEMAND WILL you
TONIGHT — JAMES |S PLAY WITH
PLANNING A— mE ?

HOMEWORK
FIRST, THOUGH.

.- HOMEWORK!!
CRAP.

LIV, CAN I
r oan! Fone COPY YOURS
TO DO MY TH AGAIN? LAST
WE PLAYED
SO LATE LAST
HOMEWORK! TIME, I
NIGHT... PROMISE.
—oo
 yOU AND
MARCUS
SHOULD START
A CLUB!!

OU'RE BOTH
UCH USERS!

I'VE DONE
ALL THIS STUFF AND WHAT HAVE
FOR You! YOU DONE FOR
ME LATELY,
SHRIMP-MAN?

YOU JUST KEEP

ASKING FOR MORE!

(7... NOTHING!
THAT'S WHAT!

DO YOUR OWN
HOMEWORK. I'M
OUTTA HERE.

| COPY YOURS?
 ---WELL G
JAZMINE'S NUMBER FROM LIV...

1. SHE'S PROBABLY
NOT HERE AGAIN.

>|7. rnPe ——f

+f f
SETTLE DOWN, if Ya Any
LAYZO B
we
\yLegogee vk
EVERYONE! ye _UmwSi
e
n
ATHLETICS De a
AA
i

CLuB IS NOW ae% ,

IN SESSION! ae SS Ls
‘ainlZe
 THE ATHLETICS
BALL TICKETS ARE TIME TO GET
OFFICIALLY SOLD SERIOUS ABOUT
OuT! THE ORGANIZING WE NEED
VOLUNTEERS

..WANT ME TO
DESTROY MARCUS?

YOU SURE? I COULD

INTRODUCE HIM TO
MY TWO FRIENDS—

CAN I COUNT
ON YOU TWO
AS LIAISONS TO
THE ART AND
 USE THEIR ABSOLUTELY,
HELP WITH THE MRS. RASHAD. AND JORGE
DECORATIONS WE'RE ON IT. WANTS TO
AND PROPS. VOLUNTEER
TOO!

ESPECIALLY TO
HELP LIAISON WITH
THE DRAMA CLUB.

GREAT!
PUTTING YOU
THREE DOWN
FOR THAT.

KNOCK,
KNOCK!
ANYONE
HOME? THE
ATHLETICS

VAISONNNS
ARE HERE!!

ltWVGA
REALLY, REALLY
GOOD FRIEND.
 YOU GUYS’ HELP
WITH OUR BALL.

WHICH BALL?
SOCCER BALL?

"THAT ISTHE
WORST JOKE,
N\C

Is THAT
YOUR NEW
BOYFRIEND?

WE NEED
YOUR
HEEELP!
 lan

PY
* “CAN I GET YOUR NUMBER?”

--- JAZMINE
KNOWS WHERE
ALL OF THE
STUFF IS!

JAZ, WHERE WE'D HAVE TO

ARE ALL THE DIG THEM OUT OF
“STARDUST” MRS. F'S OFFICE.
PROP BOXES?

ONE BELOW!

COULD you
GRAB THAT
BAG TOO?

wD LIKE HEARING
HER SAY MY NAME...
 what's
this?
——_—_—_—

..My
number.
=<
=
nN

Twas gonna
slide it in your
locker today.

Hide it before
the gossip-
hounds see.

125
 CHAPTERS
7

aS long ag
yeah "Ve known
swe We
oe ee
a i
them, %|
ee

“®
[aa
Pitr e eeE
i

Mahahah
ah,
ey )
a
 DID You
GUYS REALLY
WIN WITH A
1OTH INNING
YESTERDAY?

ARE YOU PLAYING

FOXDALE NEXT?

NO
RIVERSIDE,
I THINK.

KICK THEIR
BUTTS!

I'LL BORROW
DURING LUNCH,
Y?
», i “
: \ —

nt
h

| ..-JDAZM/INE CAME
I HAD TWO BASEBALL GAMES. TO THE LAST ONE.

2a
LL ee A Tee:

CLASS
DISMISSED!
REMEMBER YOUR
BOOK REPORTS
NEXT WEEK!
 SHE'LL TEXT ME THE MOST RANDOM
STUFF, OR SOMETHING REALLY FUNNY.

(AND IT'LL USUALLY HAVE A

HEDGEHOG STICKER . SHE'S GOT
A REAL THING FOR THEM.)
a SS | ae | Le a aD

..I CAN'T WAIT FOR

THE ATHLETICS BALL.

129
 ATHLETICS GRAB YOUR
MEET INSTEAD OF FOOD AND HEAD
LUNCH TODAY— OVER TO THE
al DON'T FORGET!!

. -OLMA'S STARTED DIALING ME

INTO THE/R GROUP CHATS TOO.

SOME REAL
AWKWARD ONES.

LIKE WHEN SHE FINALLY THAT WAS THE N/GHT

BROKE UP WITH MARCUS OF A THOUSAND TEXTS
(GOOD RIDDANCE) — I OION'T WANT.
 .. THERE'S THE
GARRETT PROGLEM.

» WELL, THE GARRETT

AND JAMES PROGLEM.

AWESOME GAME ... JUST

GONNA
THIS WEEKEND! ! GRAB SOME FOOD
QUICK AND HEAD OVER
CONGRATS! TO THE MEET.

YOU GOT
LUNCH PLANS?
 NO REASON FOR
ME 70 SAY NO...

SOMETHING

HEY, DID You ook SENT IT

SEE THAT VIDEO TO LIV TOO...
I SENT? ...-BUT SHE
DIDN'T REPLY.

NOT YET. SHE'S STILL

IT'S GOOD? MAD AT ME.

.» SHE /S,
132
 LIV WAS ALREADY ANGRY
AT HIM FROM BEFORE... (aioe ,
BUT THEN, WHEN SHE ate ages
}
BROKE UP WITH MARCUS...

. AAS IOIOT
DECIDED TO
RUB SOME
SALT ON
THAT —
YOU HAVE THE
WORST TASTE IN
BOYFRIENDS, MAN.

SO NOW THEY'RE NOT TALKING.

CWELL, HE'S TALKING. LIV ISN'T.)

».AND IM
STUCK IN THE
MIDDLE.

AND IT DOESN'T HELP

THAT HE'S HANGING OUT
WITH JAMES MORE THAN THE LINE
$0 LONG

THIS'LL TAKE
FOREVER.
 THIS KIND-
HEARTED ANGEL
IS LETTING US
GO FIRST!
 AND WE’RE NOT
LATE! WE GOT TONS
OF TIME!

.-PFFT, FINE, WHAT...7¢

HE'S MAKING IT
Pel

WHATEVER.
MY FAULT?

WAS JUST
TRYING TO HELP.

YOU WERE
SO WORRIED
ABOUT BEING
LATE.
 ..WHAT A
BUZZKILL.

JAMES HAS BEEN

GETTING WORSE AND
WORSE LATELY.

RgOe
8) WS
20ws
Sn GYMNASIUM
SS

nS
2

SN
qs
 — ...WHY DOES
GARRETT HANG OUT
My

WITH HIM...?

Hiilll, JORGE!
WE CAME TO
HELP WITH THE
PLANNING!

WHERE'S
YOUR FOOD?
HERE, HAVE AND, LIV,
THE OTHER I KNOW YOU GOT
HALF OF MY NIC, DO YOu TWO BROWNIES.
SANDWICH! STILL HAVE GIVE ONE UP!
YOUR EXTRA

SUDDENLY...
J FEEL A LOT BETTER.

Don't
FORGET
SCIENCE
HOMEWORK!
 THE BALL IS
NEXT WEEK!!

BRI, SO I AM! I'M

YOU'RE NOT STEALING MY
WEARING A SISTER'S.

I'M GETTING A
HAIRCUT THIS YOU GUYS, WE
WEEKEND. SHOULD HAVE
A HAIRCUT
PARTY!!

AT MY House!
BE THERE!
 ae

ees
a

eee

ME AND JAZMINE...
Ls

ae
“=
oe
Ss

a
|

ON

BESS
ae
:

SN & = 8 PS
I MEAN, WE TEXT, BLT... HUNG OUT, JUST
WE HAVEN'T REALLY... THE TWO OF US.

THERE'S ALWAYS
PEOPLE AROUND...

LUNCH?
: WE'RE EATING
WITH THE DRAMA
CREW AGAIN.

ACTUALLY, I I'M NOT DONE

PROMISED I'D BEING ANGRY
MEET GARRETT
FOR LUNCH.

141
 GIVE HIM A KICK IN
THE SHINS FOR ME!

SEE YOU AT
THE ATHLETICS
MEET AFTER
SCHOOL.

... WISH THEY

WOULD MAKE

7]
ty L

\=_
IT’S COLD
TODAY. YOU SURE
YOU WANT TO EAT
OUTSIDE?

OH YEAH,
I Just—
DON'T WANT
JAMES TO
SEE US.

T'S JUST...
JAMES GOT ALL
WEIRD AND CRANKY
WHEN I SAID I'M
YOU EMBARRASSED OF HAVING LUNCH
ME OR SOMETHING? WITH you.
 «THAT GUY'S WE/RD.
WHY DO YOU HANG OUT
WITH HIM?

WELL, WE’RE ON
THE TEAM TOGETHER,
AND...UH...

AND I'M FINALLY PART

OF THE GROUP, Y'KNOW?

CMON, THEY'RE
WELL, HE'S BEEN A JUST PLAYING.
REAL JERK LATELY.
HIM AND HIS JUST...KIDDING
CIRCUS MONKEYS. AROUND.

WHAT'S THIS
I HEAR ABOUT
YOU HAVING A
GIRLFRIEND?

THAT CUTE
CHICK FROM
THE DRAMA
CLUB, RIGHT?
»»»-D~DON'T CALL
HER "CHICK," DANG, AND HERE I
THOUGHT WE'D BOTH
BE BACHELORS AT
THE BALL THING.

vA

OH, WHOA,
YOU'RE ALL
RED!! JAMES |S ON
MY CASE TO
HA-HA! MUST GET A DATE...
BE SERIOUS!

EASY FOR A/M TO

TALK. HE ALREADY HAS
HIS DREAM DATE WITH
BROOKE.

(WASN'T
SUPPOSED
TO SAY THAT.

D-DON'T TELL UGH. JAMES WANTS

ANYONE, OKAY? THIS BIG REVEAL. LIKE
IT'S SUPPOSED THEY'RE CELEBRITIES OR
TO BE THIS BIG SOMETHING.

HE WANTS
EVERYONE TO
BE IMPRESSED.

ESPECIALLY
you.
 HE WANTS
YOU TO HANG
WITH THEM SO

DON'T LIKE
THE GUY.

HE DOESN'T...
RESPECT PEOPLE,
Y'KNOW?

HE RESPECTS
YOU! LIKE, A HE'S ALWAYS
LOT. “JORGE THIS” AND
“JORGE THAT.”

AND He'LL L/E.

.-HE'LL PUSH
ANYONE AROUND
IF HE CAN GET i AND GET OTHERS TO
AWAY WITH IT. 1 DO HIS DIRTY WORK
SO HE DOESN'T GET
JUST FOR IN TROUBLE.
FUNSIES.
 I WORRY ABOUT
YOU HANGING OUT
WITH HIM, MAN.

..-DO YOU THINK

LIV WILL GO TO
THE BALL WITH

. HE'S REALLY
THAT CLUELESS.

IT DUNNO.
WELL, I MEAN, 4 e :
SHE'S SINGLE MAYBE COME TO
NOW, SO... THE MEET TODAY
Cae AND ASK HER.
146
 OKAY, EVERYONE.
SETTLE DOWN!!

. GUESS HE
DION'T COME.
Lol 7 7_

THIS IS OUR
LAST GENERAL Drei
MEET BEFORE
m THE BALL!

I NEED YOU TO
HAND THESE OUT
TO EVERYONE,
PLEASE.

NOW, FIRST
THINGS FIRST—
TAKE ONE
AND PAss Ir

A BIG HAND FOR THE

PLANNING COMMITTEE—
YOU ARE ALL DOING AN
AMAZING JOB!
SCHOOL EVENT
DRESS CODE!
LOOK IT UP.
IT'S BEEN
RECENTLY
UPDATED AND IS
IN YOUR STUDENT
HANDBOOK.

AND THIRD—
LET ME KNOW
IF YOUR DOG ATE
CODE OF
YOURS AND YOU
CONDUCT.
NEED A NEW ONE.
THERE WILL
BE ONE AT
THE BALL!

BROOKE AND OLIVIA ARE

HANDING OUT THE PAPER
COPIES, BUT YOU WILL
ALSO GET AN E-MAIL.

RELATED
TO THAT— WHO CAN TELL
REMEMBER ME WHAT THAT
HEALTH CLASS?

MORE
SPECIFICALLY—

“BODY
AUTONOMY"?
YES, BRIANNA?

AND THAT GOES

FOR EVERYONE— IF ANYONE'S
BOYS, GIRLS, TRYING TO TOUCH
IT MEANS MY YOU WITHOUT
NONBINARY—
BODY IS MINE AND YOUR CONSENT OR
YOUR BODY
NO ONE ELSE HAS IGNORING A NO...
BELONGS TO YOU.
A RIGHT TO IT.

THAT'S A
VIOLATION.

WE WILL HAVE ADULT

VOLUNTEERS AT THE
DANCE, SO YOU CAN . BUT THE
REPORT IT. SHORT OF IT |IS—RESPECT
PERSONAL BOUNDARIES.
HAVE FUN THAT'S NOT AT THE
MORE DETAILS ARE EXPENSE OF SOMEONE ELSE.
IN THE HANDOUT...

...NOW, ON TO
THE DECORATION
DUTIES...

WE HAVE A SIGN-UP
SHEET POSTED WITH
 \eEOPLE!

DON'T FORGET! MY
HOUSE, TOMORROW!
MAKE SURE YOU'RE PART
OF THE GROUP CHAT!

cllATTER

CAN'T. MY DAD'S
TAKING ME TO THE
GAME, REMEMBER?

OH, BRI, | LOVE

YOUR BODy
AUTONOMY!
 $O YOU'RE TOTALLY
FINE, RIGHT?!

BECAUSE I'M JUST

KIDDING?!

YOU WANNA
PUNCH HIM OR
SOMETHING? >)

EW, NO. I’M NOT

TOUCHING HIM.

. : AND you
KICKED pie . Dip It!

$0 YOU NIMRODS
THINK IT'S FUNNY?!
Y-YOU GUYS TOLD
ME TO DOIT!
 WH-WHOA,
HEY, NOW.

YOU WANNA
TELL THIS TO
INCITED MRS. RASHAD AND
ASSAULT! SEE HOW MUCH
SHE LAUGHS?!

WON'T DO
IT AGAIN, T
PROMISE.

EVERYONE'S GONNA BE
GOOD AND RESPECTFUL,
RIGHT, GUYS?
CHAPTER B
 ... THAT “CODE OF CONDUCT”
THING WAS M/SS/NG SOME
PRETTY IMPORTANT STUFF.

—
i

a
ale

I MEAN, I GET THE “DON’T BE

A GRABBY JERK" PART, BUT...

A-A CORSAGE?
_.. WHAT ABOLIT THE OTHER STUFF? ..OR 1S THAT ONLY
LIKE. ..6H-SHOULD I GETA GIFT? FOR PROMS...?

...NOW I WISH I STAYED AWAKE

FOR ALL THOSE DUMB ROMANCE
MOVIES LIV MADE US WATCH.
 JORGE!

Y-YOUR...
YOUR HAIR...

OLiv; |
\ —\ D4 HOF

WHAT'S WITH WELL, GET

THAT REACTION?! USED TO IT!
YOU'VE SEEN

ss BEFORE! oy I LOVE IT SHORT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I
WAITED SO LONG.

WHEN You
, LIKE,
eae -..WHAT WAS
YOUR QUESTION?
 ws
?
;

s
I WAS
GONNA ASK -
ABOUT, UH—

Liv! yet 1p ROOKE BENSO™:

To LUNCH. - HAIR = ALSO ost

HELLOOO, JORGE!
DON'T YOU
RECOGNIZE ME?

I THINK HE
MIGHT BE IN Y LOOKS REAL
SHOCK. DIFFERENT.

OH, AND THE

WE WERE JUST GONNA GET
oor PART?!
REGULAR CUTS, BUT THE
ue SALON WAS HAVING THIS
CHARITY DRIVE—

THAT'S...

THEY MAKE WIGS co OL.

FOR SICK KIDS WHO
CAN'T AFFORD THEM!
 «lL GOTTA SAY, SERIOUS?
THOUGH, SO MANY LIKE, WHY WOULD
PEOPLE ARE GETTING YOU EVEN WANT A
BENT OUT OF SHAPE BOYFRIEND WHO ONLY
OVER THESE. LIKES YOU FOR YOUR
HAIR??

MY COUSINS
WERE ALL—
"NOW YOU'LL
NEVER GET A
BOYFRIEND!”

LET'S GO TO LUNCH
AND SEE WHO ELSE
FREAKS OUT!
 WE CUT IT
FOR CHARITY!
CUTE, HUH?

...THE BALL IS
THIS FRIDAY!! ARE
YOU GOING...
LOOKING LIKE

LOOKING
LIKE WHAT?

ARE YOU
SERIO—
 ..DID YOU ASK
ME OUT JUST
BECAUSE I’M
PRETTY?

I THOUGHT You
ACTUALLY L/KED ME!
I DON’T BELIEVE THIS!

..L DON'T
GO TO THE BALL
DATE SHALLOW BY YOURSELF.
TRASH BAGS.

SHE THINKS
YOU'RE GROSS,
JAMES. I DO TOO.

BROOKE,
WAIT UP.
... WHAT 1S HAPPENING TO
EVERYONE THIS YEAR?!

NEVER THOUGHT I'D

M/SS THIRD GRACE...
 JAZMINE DUONG, 73 Yo
<] Seen

WANTED TO
MAKE SURE...
 0-00 YOU
WANNA...

= rae)

... EXCEPT NOW, I DON’T

KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

BLURTED THAT OUT.

YOU SURE
SS SY Tt YOU DON'T WANT
TO TRY SOME OF
‘ AND SHE SAID YES! MY FOOD?
EE
 UH. N-NAW,
I’M OKAY.

I GOT MY
SANDWICH.

I'M, -.-REAL GLAD YOU

UM... DIDN'T FREAK OUT
ABOUT MY HAIR.

SOME OTHER
PEOPLE HAVE...

164
 I-IT’S YOUR
HAIR. AND...AND
LIV SAID IT’S
HELPING SICK
THAT... KIDS?
THAT BODY
AUTONOMY
THING, RIGHT?

THAT'S
REAL COOL
IT'S YOUR OF You.
DECISION.

... YOUR MOM'S

SICK?
MOM'S BEEN
SICK...

..BUT SHE'S
GETTING
I KNOW IT WAS BETTER!
AND SOME OF
ROUGH ON HER.
THE TREATMENTS
I CAN'T EVEN
MADE HER LOSE IMAGINE HOW IT
HER HAIR, SO SHE SHE'S GOING
WORE WIGS... IS FOR A KID.
TO COME TO
OUR PLAY.

OH!
RELATIVES, FRIENDS,
SPEAKING ENEMIES?
OF WHICH!
WE NEED TO WE NEED
SELL TICKETS WARM BODIES.
Too! WE'LL TAKE
ANYONE.

HA-HA,
OH YEAH.
DO You
THINK YOu
GUYS CAN LIV AND I
HELP? WILL GET YOU
PEOPLE.
 ...OH, OH, AND
MR. KRISTOFFER!

IT’S LIKE HE'S

OUT TO RUIN
EVERY STUDENT'S
LIFE WITH MATH!

MISS TOBINS IS
MY FAVORITE.

I MEAN, SHE'S
TERRIFYING, BUT
I LOVE THE—

DON’T KNOW WHY

I WAS WORRIED,
Z GOT THIS.

--NOOOO! +l WISH WE HAD

CLASSES TOGETHER.

WAH, I HAVE
GEOGRAPHY
NEXT...
 HELLO
THERE.
FINALLY.

WHY YOU
BROKE

WHY SETTLE FOR

ME WHEN YOU
CAN UPGRADE TO
A JOCK, RIGHT?

WELL, JUST FYI,

YOU WEREN'T THAT
GOOD A GIRLFRIEND
ANYWAY!

PS
»eeAND YOUR WAN, ZEKE,
NEW HAIRCUT COME BACK HERE;

WANT HIM TO
COME BACK!

BUT...H-HE
SHOULDN'T SAY
THAT STUFF ABOUT
you...!

AND HE'S SO
NOT WORTH IT.
TRUST ME.

BUT IF IT
BEAT HIM
—\t | BEAT
HiM uP —

THAT'S... KINDA
BADASS.
I'LL TEXT
YOU, OKAY?

eZ M TAKING THE
AWESOMEST G/RL IN
SCHOOL TO THE BALL.
FRIDAY NIGHT.

ELCOMIE:
 = ros ; v4 —A
, “ ae ; a ili

= aS !I |
ND. | HAVEN'T SWEATED THIS
MUCH AT A BALL GAME.

\
 . HE'S PROBABLY GONNA
TRY TO TALK TO ME AGAIN.

A
seed S JUST
JAMES AND
HIS GOONS.

.»..WOW. WHAT |
WAS THAT LOOK?

I ACCIDENTALLY
TOLD HIM WHY YOU
WOULDN'T HANG
OUT...
$e
 BUT
HEY, NOW
HE'LL STOP
DUDE, THAT
WAS PRIVATE!

vos

HE KEPT PUSHING
ME, ASKING!

HANGING
OUT WITH MAKE
you. SOMETHING
C-CAN I UP.
COME OVER
TOMORROW?

PLAY, LIKE
BEFORE?

DO YOU THINK
LIV WOULD CO—

172
 YEAH. YEAH,
JAMES, ARE YOU I WAS JUST.
YO ! I WAS PART OF THE
JUST— TEAM TONIGHT
OR WHAT?

Y-YEAH,
FORK SURE

Ne =a
KS
S ss
29
S Ky
SB
y=

SHOWED UP TO
SOMETHING?!
 Y¥-YOU LOOK
AMAZING.

come ON | You
\WALLELOWERS-

MY HEAD IS ft (= .eTHANK GOD

COMPLETELY BLANK. | (
<4 AN a * SSS
ar
y | i :
175
 TURNS OUT, I WAS
NERVOUS FOR NO REASON.

WELCOME,
EVERYONE, TO THE
ANNUAL ATHLETICS
FUND-RAISER BALL!

FIRST, LET'S GIVE

A &IG HAND TO THE
PLANNING COMMI/TTEE
FOR THE/R—

SO TALKING? Be
TOTALLY OPTIONAL.
 THE DRAMA CLUE DID A
».AND THERE WERE
MADE-UP SPORTS TRIVIA
GAMES WITH PRIZES...
COMEDY SHOW...

I'LL LOVE YOU

EITHER WAY!

».AND THEN LIV WON /T. ALMOST EVERYONE HAD

BECAUSE OF COURSE. A BALL. CHEH.) ie
 AW, THE
DANCING'S
STARTING!
CAN WE AT
LEAST DANCE?

WANT TO LOOK I'M DONE BEING

ANGRY AT you!

WANNA COME
DANCE WITH US?

LOOK WHO
Il FOUND!
 I'M NOT MUCH OF A PARTY
PERSON...OR A DANCE PERSON... re eaiar

..-BUT SOMEHOW,
EVERYTHING WAS TEN
TIMES MORE FUN TODAY.

S-SORRY
I HAVE TO STUPID
OH, THERE'S LEAVE
MY PARENTS : EARLY.SO CURFEW.
 INVITING
ME.

REALLY FUN
1D REALLY NEED : TIME.
70 SAY SOMETHING
RIGHT NOW.
 I'M SO Y-YOU...
SORRY! I
SHOULD'VE gat
ASKED FIRST! |{ ss : YOU NEVER
HAVE TO
ASK.

LIFE...

1S 60 GOOD
RIGHT NOW.
‘
 =a A I HAVEN'T BEEN THIS EXCITED
ABOUT A MONDAY SINCE...

FRIDAY WAS
AMAZING
FOR OBVIOUS
OKAY, I'VE NEVER BEEN REASONS...
EXC/TED ABOUT A MONDAY,
BUT WHATEVER.

HE 010 GET A BIT WEIRD

AND THEN GARRETT CAME OVER AT THE END... LIKE HE
TO HANG OUT ON SATURDAY, AND IT WAS AFRAID JAMES
WAS JUST LIKE OLD TIMES. MIGHT FIND OUT...

DIDN'T SEE
YOU ON THE
BUS AGAIN
TODAY.
WHISPER ” HispeR
ae you sure!

oops, there

. »BUT ANYWAY...
= 5

Bt @

ON SUNDAY, JAZM/NE AND

I KEPT TEXTING FOREVER.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE LUNCH

TOGETHER AGAIN TODA —
 0 4

Aee ‘ fee
TWO-FACE,
YOU'RE ALL NICE
TO MY FACE AND
JORGE RUIZ. THEN TALK TRASH
ABOUT ME BEHIND
MY BACK?!

WHAT ARE
YOU TALKING

bm Ai / §=yOu CALLED
yOu CAN DROP : ME AN UGLY
THE NICE GUY oe DOG!
ACT, OKAY? .
reawmecuar \P TALK TO ME
SCREENSHOTS! : AGAIN!

... WH-WHAT?
WHAT'S GOING ON?
 SH-SHE 1S
COMING,
alae
RIGHT? |
 LIV'S REALLY GOOD AT
EXPLAINING.

DID SOMEONE
HACK YOUR
SCHOOL CHAT
ACCOUNT?

IT JUST SOLINDED SO...LIKE,

I WAS GETTING PRANKED?

SCREENSHOTS?

OF A CHAT?
SOMEONE
ELSE, USING
YOUR HANDLE!

THIS WEEKEND WITH,

LIKE, JAMES AND HIS
GOONS!
TALKING ABOUT
REALLY GROSS
STUFF.

LIKE, THEY FOUND

SOME APP THAT SWAPS
PEOPLE'S FACES WITH DOG
MUZZLES?

AND DID THAT WITH SOME GIRLS'

PHOTOS—LIKE BROOKE'S, MINE,
AND JAZMINE'’S. MOST OF THE
SPIRIT SQUAD.
AND WERE SAYING
GROSS THINGS.
 ..AND THEN,
..AND WHOEVER SOMEONE
WAS USING YOUR SCREENCAPPED
ACCOUNT, THEY WERE IT AND POSTED IT
ALL, "OH, THOSE ARE ONLINE!!
UGLY DOGS, LOL!”

SO NOW
PEOPLE THINK
YOU WERE IN
THAT RUDE
CHAT!!

“SOMEONE
TAKE THEM TO you'd
THE POUND, NEVER Say
LOL, LOL!” THAT STUFF!

.. EVERYONE'S BEEN
WHISPERING...AND
BROOKE WAS —
 B-BUT IT
WASN'T ME!

igAnat
why he
5 didw'x
SOMEONE MUST'VE
HACKED YOU!

WE WERE
SUPPOSED TO EAT
F\ LUNCH TOGETHER. 7 > SY | j (SHE DOES,
| SHE'S GONNA
STOP, OKAY?!
D-DOES SHE
THINK I—

you THINK,
ABOUT
MIGHT wantro
HACK YOU
 IT’S MISTER
TOO-GOOD-
TO-HANG-OUT-
WITH-US!
v

NICE HAVING
YOU IN OUR
CHAT THIS
WEEKEND. YOU KNOW
THAT WASN'T IT LOOKED
LIKE YOU.

IT WAS TOTALLY
JORGE, THE GOODY
TWO-SHOES, YEAH?

190
 AND THEY WOULDN'T SAY
ANYTHING TO HELP ME.
Vo

J-JAZMINE
IS OUR
FRIEND!

WE THOUGHT
YOU LIKED
HER!

WE SAW THE CHAT SCREENS!

H-HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT
GROSS STUFF ABOUT HER AND
LET THEM SAY IT?!

AND LAUGH
ABOUT IT?
 Tm ( SERIOUSLY?
IT WAS
SOME OTHER
JORGE RUIZ?
YOU THINK
WE'D BUY
THAT?

$-STOP
HARASSING
HIM.

I-IF HE SAYS IT WOULD A "GOOD

WASN'T HIM, THEN PERSON” MAKE
THAT'S TRUE! HIS GIRLFRIEND

J-JORGE JAZMINE WAS

Is A GOOD CRYING ALL
PERSON. MORNING!

WHAT DO
YOU WANT?
 SHE'S NOT
JAZMINE? HERE. GO
AWAY!
| NEED TO...

OH, I THINK
YOU'VE SAID
ENOUGH.

MAYBE SHE'S HIDING NEAR

THAT BACK DOOR AGAIN...?

are tM)
gins OO © Mr *
”
“\ VAN
 D
e 2 DO YOU KNOW
HOW
(e) JAMES S GOT AHOLD
OF MY ACCOUNT AND
uN POSTED ALL THAT?!
1...1 didn't ...$-50 I did...
mean to!

from your

laptop...

Sec thought
Twas at
Tlogged out!!
your place,
on Saturday,
But then...it
when James...
was still your
account...

He was all, “get I didn't know

in the chat now they'd be taking
orelse! screenshots!

THOUGHT YOU
MIGHT TRY TO
SNEAK OUT THE
BACK DOOR.

YOU THINK OF
YOUR BEST
BUDDY NOW?
 PRETTY YO, I DID NOT
POST THOSE. DO
SPINELESS,
YOU THINK I'M
STUPID?

MY NAME'S
IN THERE!

WHyY'D you ..-BUT WHEN

DO IT? WHY'D I FIND THEM,
YOU POST THE THEY'RE GONNA
SCREENSHOTS? BE SORRY.

WOULDN'T
| BETTER NOT WANNA BE YOU
GET SUSPENDED RIGHT NOW,
FROM THE TEAM
FOR THIS...

WHAT ARE
YOU GONNA
vO?

LOYAL, TOO-
RAT OUT YOUR GOOD-FOR-
FRIEND TO THE THIS-WORLD
WHOLE SCHOOL JORGE...
SO EVERYONE
HATES H/M
-- TELLING ON
INSTEAD?
HIS FRIEND
TO SAVE HIS
OWN SKIN...
GHAPLER 16
Pil NEXT DAY, LUNCH.
-_-

.-90, WAIT, IT
MIGHT NOT HAVE NAW, HE'S ALL
BEEN HIM? NICE TO YOUR
FACE BUT WILL
TALK CRAP ABOUT
YOU ONLINE.

MAYBE IT WAS
PHOTOSHOPPED?

JAMES,
THOUGH, wow.
AM I RIGHT?

THAT'S WHAT
HE'D LIKE YOU
TO THINK.

|
g
iWa rne
Sal isk S

PEOPLE ARE TOO AFRAID TO

COME AT ME, BUT THEY GOSSIP
AND GIVE ME DIRTY LOOKS.

AND THERE WAS A BUNCH

OF NASTY NOTES SHOVED
IN MY LOCKER TODAY.
 REE SEN GARE

..-JAZM/NE PROBABLY
HATES ME.

I DION'T EVEN
DO ANYTHING! :

I TRIED CALLING GARRETT

SEVERAL TIMES YESTERDAY...

HIS MOM SAID HE WAS

SUPER SICK, LIKE THROWING
UP ALL THE TIME.

HE’S NOT EVEN

IN SCHOOL TODAY.

++.GO I'M DEALING WITH

THIS ON MY OWN, I GUESS.

200
 .. THAT WASN'T
REALLY YOU?

IN THAT
HORRIBLE
CHAT?

I WOULD
NEVER SAY
THAT STUFF!
HE REALLY
WOULDN'T! ...HE JUST GOT
HACKED By SOME
JERK TRYING TO
MAKE HIM LOOK

JORGE'S WE'RE STILL

GOOD PEOPLE! FIGURING OUT
WHO IT WAS.

» JORGE, DID YOU

THINK OF ANYONE
IT COULD’VE
BEEN?

I CANNOT TELL HER.

SHE'LL HATE HIM FOREVER.
 ..-BUTI ALSO CAN'T
LIE TO HER WORTH BEANS.
.. KNOW WHO 0

OMG, YOU
DO KNOW!

® ARE YOU ACTUALLY

chia fla PROTECTING THEM?
y Boies STOP BEING SO NICE!
THEY'RE
wuo was tt?! \ HANGING YOU
TELL ME! OUT TO DRY!!

.. YOU SAID ZEKE

SENT YOU THOSE
SCREENSHOTS,
RIGHT?

FINE! I'M
GONNA FIND WD HE WAS SO
THIS SACK iW SMARMY ABOUT
pN Ve
OF WEASELS
MYSELF, THEN! IT TOO...
HE WAS ALL, “HEY,
LOOK WHAT YOUR
NEW BOYFRIEND IS MAYBE HE'S
UP TO." UGH. THE WEASEL!

ba
¢
g>

AW
y LN

‘
| Sg
\ HE'S GONNA

kn
: TE LL ME
| 'N EVERYTHING!
NG Yas eae —_a is

». REALLY? STOMACH?! NOW?!

Rae,

DO YOU WANNA
EAT LUNCH?
 GISeR ts “y S she

Gos$!? with im?

- H-HEY,
QUIT IT! IT WASN'T
HIM |\N THAT
CHAT! SOMEONE
HACKED HIM!

GOSsIP
ABOUT
THAT!

REALLY GLAD
IT WASN'T
YOU.
 I...I WAS
SO UPSET.
I SHOULD'VE
BUT THE TRUSTED MY
FIRST THING T GUT MORE, I
THOUGHT, WHEN GUESS.
I SAW IT, WAS
ACTUALLY...

D-DO YOU... H-HOW COME

DO You YOU WON'T TELL
REALLY KNOW WHO IT IS?
WHO DID THAT
TO YOU?

Is IT ONE
OF JAMES'S
GOONS?
THEY ARE
SO NOT WORTH
COVERING FOR.

veel REALLY WANT TO

TELL HER EVERYTHING. --L SAW JAMES IN
THE CAFETERIA. HE'S
NOT EVEN SORRY,
STRUTTING AROUND
LIKE HE'S THE BEST.

AT LEAST NOW,
NO ONE THINKS
‘WO, /T WAS A FRIEND WHO HE’S COOL
HAS NO SPINE AND MAKES ANYMORE.
BAD LIFE DEC/SIONS.”
 - YOU'RE
NOT EATING!
IS YOUR
SANDWICH
OKAY?

WANT SOME
OF MY
STUFF?

I'VE GOT SAMOSAS,

CHICKEN SKEWERS,
OHH, AND THIS IS...

RIGHT NOW, /T FEELS LIKE THE

WHOLE WORLD /S AGAINST ME...

. AS LONG AS
SHE'S ON MY SIDE... ATTENTION,
EVERYONE.

WOULD THE
FOLLOWING STUDENTS
.. SOMEHOW, PLEASE REPORT TO THE
IT'S OKAY. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
IMMEDIATELY—
JAMES CORDEN,
COLE HART, SAM
REEVES, NATE
BURNER... -- IND
JORGE RUIZ.

WH-WHAT DID
THEY SAY?

«STARTING AN
INVESTIGATION. GONNA
PULL UP THE CHAT LOGS
AND READ THROUGH 'EM.
 IF STUFF THEY
FIND IS AS BAD
AS IT LOOKS...

D-DID YOu
TELL THEM
.. SUSPENSIONS FOR IT WASN'T
EVERYONE. WITH A MARK YOU?!
ON THE PERMANENT
RECORD.

YOU HAVE TO
TELL THEM! IT
WASN’T YOUR

IF I CAN
HELP...LET
ME KNOW.
H-HEY, UH,

YOU OKAY?
1 TALKED
TO ZEKE.
FROM...FROM RON...

YOU KNOW, THE

SMALL, SKINNY KID
WHO HANGS OUT
WITH JAMES?

THEY MAKE FUN

OF HIM ALOT?

SO I WENT
AND TALKED
TO HIM
TOO...

WAS 1T REALLY
GARRETT...?
 I-IT WAS
AN ACCIDENT, HE DIDN'T
THOUGH! MEAN TO!

HE DIDN'T KNOW
HE WAS LOGGED IN
AS ME AT FIRST!

AND HE'S JUST...

HE'S WATCHING
YOU BURN?

FOR WHAT
HE DID?
 (=e)
NO MATTE: R HOW
ZI LOOK Alice:
eet

»»-GARRETT'S THROWING
ME UNDER THE BUS.

HE GETS THE
SUSPENSION.
LOYAL JORGE...
TELLING ON HIS
FRIEND TO SAVE
HIS OWN SKIN...

you
CAN YOU DON'T NEED
COVER FOR ME?! PRACTICE,
LIV WILL KILL ME, HA-HA! I
HA-HA! WANNA GO
PLAY MADDEN!

YOU KEEP TAKING AND

TAKING!! WHAT00 YOU
GIVE BACK?!
 JORGE RUIZ TO
THE PRINCIPAL'S
OFFICE, PLEASE.

I THOUGHT THEY'D
AT LEAST TAKE A DAY.

THIS 15
NOT FAIR.
WHY ME?!

I DION’T 0O
ANYTHING!!
 A SEAT.
THEY'LL BE
WITH YOU
SHORTLY.

I TOLD THEM
WH-WHAT EVERYTHING. fader
ARE YOU DOING ve ...AND THAT
HERE? = ea YOU WEREN'T
ABOUT JAMES, i INVOLVED.
\ ABOUT THE CHAT... )
 I GUESS LIV
GOT AHOLD OF
You, HUH?

MY PHONE’S
BEEN OFF SINCE
YESTERDAY.

I SAID
STUPID STUFF
ABOUT HER IN
THE CHAT.

LIV TRIED GOTTA

TO CALL ME?! APOLOGIZE.

HE...HE DID THIS

ON HIS OWN. LIV
DION'T MAKE HIM.

YOU WERE
RIGHT ABOUT
JAMES.

I SHOULD'VE
LISTENED TO YOU.
 I-I KNOW YOu
PROBABLY HATE
ME NOW.

I'M SORRY.

I WAS A
CRAPPY
FRIEND.

JORGE?

GO ON IN, DEAR.
THEY'RE READY
FOR YOU.

WHAT JUST EVEN

HAPPENED?
ee eespee

a
~n
ea
 WHAT HAPPENED WAS
GARRETT DID TELL EVERYTHING.

I GOT AN APOLOGY
FROM THE PRINCIPAL.

TZ

AND JAMES GOT

SUSPENDED SO HARD...

. ALONG WITH HIS

CIRCUS MONKEYS.

MRS. RASHAD KICKED THEM

OFF THE FOOTBALL TEAM TOO.

PICK UP
THOSE
KNEES!

CSHE WAS LIVID UH...

WHEN SHE FOUND OLIT.) or
 ...KINDA BACK TO BUT NO ONE HATES
NORMAL, I GUESS? ME ANYMORE.
CL THINK.)

JORGE!!

CAN I
BORROW THE
SOME PEOPLE PROJECT
LOOK AT ME WEIRD. NOTES AGAIN?

ee ANTIL THE NEXT

GOSSIP BLOWUP,
I GUESS.

LUNCH WITH
THE DRAMA chun LIKE I EVEN
PEEPS AGAIN! oe oe HAVE TO!
JAZMINE'S GONNA
BE THERE!

222
 I THOUGHT
SHE'D BE HAPPY.

FORGIVE HIM.

1D TOLD LIV. | AX i} |
THAT GARRETT FESSED UP
AND GOT ME OUT OF TROUBLE.

“/

HE SHOULD'VE
NEVER GOTTEN YOU
INTO TROUBLE!

OR SAID THAT
STUFF ABOUT ME
ANDO MY FRIENDS!!

DON'T EVEN SO NOW, SHE'S

MENTION HIM ACTING LIKE... LIKE
TO ME!
HE DOESN'T EX/ST.

WHICH IS EASY
BECAUSE HE GOT
SUSPENDED TOO.

SCHOOL. FOOTBALL TEAM.

EVERYTHING.
HE'S BEEN GONE FOR
TWO WEEKS NOW.
 SORRY FOR
BEING A
CRAPPY

+. KNOW WHAT
HE DID SUCKED...

...SOMEHOW, I
CAN'T HATE HIM. LIV! JORGE! 1 SAVED YOU
THERE YOU ARE! GUYS SPOTS!

NIC WANTS MY
SPRING ROLLS,
BUT I WAS SAVING
THEM FOR YOU.

JORGE, TELL IT'S NOT FAIR!!

HER YOU DON'T
WANT HER YOU USED TO
STUPID SPRING ALWAYS GIVE ME
YOUR FOOD!
I HATE YOUR
BOYFRIEND,
JAZMINE!

...l LOVE YOUR

BOYFRIEND,
JAZMINE.

I HAVE
CHEESECAKE, IF
YOU WANT IT. / ...NIC 16 EASILY TAMED ”
WITH FOOD, HUH?

WE'VE BEEN HANGING

OUT A LOT MORE. d SHE COMES TO MY
PRACTICE SOMETIMES...
 P
YOU'D NEVER
. AND I HELP HER PRACTICE KNOW IT...
THE LINES FOR THE/R PLAY.

C-COULD YOU
SPAREA CENT,
KIND MISS?

. BECAUSE SHE'S SO
SHY WITH PEOPLE...

BLESS YOU,

YOU SHOULD BE
IN MOVIES.

FIRST, I HAVE TO SHE'S GONNA

NOT BOMB ON THE KICK ALL THE AVAILABLE
SCHOOL STAGE...I GET BUTT IN THAT PLAY.
SO NERVOUG...
 LIFE FEELS LIKE BECAUSE ZEKE 1S
A PERFECT MOVIE STILL AROUND, BEING
RIGHT NOW... A SACK OF WEASELS.

CAND RUNNING THE

YEARBOOK CLUB.)

SHE PUTS UPA . AND IS ALWAYS

GOOD FRONT... BUSY LAUGHING...

BUT IT'S
NOT...
 SHE WANTED TO HANG OUT
TODAY, JUST THE TWO OF US.

eed ALREADY LOST

IT’S BEEN A WHILE... ONE BEST FRIEND.
; I WAS STARTING TO WORRY.

SHE'S BEEN AVOIDING

THIS PLACE EVER SINCE...

ARE...ARE
YOU BACK?

228
 I PICKED A REAL
ne au BIG ROCK 'COS I
AND E-MAIL... HOPED IT WOULD
;
ASS HIT IM.

PARENTS TOOK
ALL THAT AWAY.

I HAD TO THROW A
ROCK WITH A NOTE IN
HIS WINDOW TO GET
HIM TO-SHOW UP.

I THINK
BETTER GO.

Hey, WAIT,
SHRIMP-MAN!
WELL, FIRST OF ALL—
I'M ONLY DOING THIS PRETTY SURE
HE'S
oeTAKING YOU
FOR JORGE...

...WHO IS A PRECIOUS, PURE

CINNAMON ROLL, APPARENTLY,
AND CAN'T HOLD A GRUDGE
AGAINST YOU.

... YOU HAVE TO

APOLOGIZE TO JAZMINE
AND BROOKE AND ME
FOR ALL THE STUPID
STUFF YOU SAID.

AND YOU HAVE TO DO

YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!
AND ALSo...

ZI THOUGHT LIV WAS

DONE WITH HIM.
 IS...
IS THIS REALLY
HAPPENING? ARE THEY
MAKING UP...7

GARRETT WAS BACK IN

SCHOOL TWO DAYS LATER.

... AND HE 010 GO AROUND AND

APOLOGIZE TO THE GIRLS.
é

HE DION'T LIE —
HIS HOMEWORK a
IS DONE... Hy
4 i, NOT OF ALL THEM WERE
me IMPRESSED, BUT...
=
 » EVEN THOUGH THE TWO OF THEM
ARE BASICALLY A NEVER-ENDING
WRESTLING MATCH.

REMEMBER HOW I SAID LIFE 1S MORE

COMPLICATED THAN SPORTS?

IT'LL THROW A LOT OF YOU WIN SOME GAMES

CURVEBALLS AT YOU. AND LOSE OTHERS...
. BUTIN THE END, /T'S
WHO'S ON YOUR TEAM
THAT REALLY MATTERS.
THE END
Helle Hore! NE MEET AGAIN!
(..or we wet for the First
2 ward: |
kon

Hime, in which case HI, =\~,

T hone made othy books “|,
thast you can read, x ) ‘

erush was abook T'ye been SO excited to write.

LT don't know about you, but T had such huge crushes
On peop te in midd @e school, Age of thom secret | because
unlike Sorge, T was too shy to ask my crush out. So LT
just admired Hem from afar... Until T found out that
my evush was actu kind of a mean ard jorky person,
\NWwich is when L stopped crushing on them and started
silently judging them from afar & Need Leas eee
my love Life in middle school did not work out as well
as Sorge’s... OH WELL.

T+ doles a bot of work to

make a graphic novel, and IL | to
aL ous start witt rough
chara ctw ALsiGns so that T
alway’ hove some reference fo
fook40, when Lam drow no ht
actual tomic paga.
Sometimes chavacters cham ge
o Got once T start drawing thom
inthe Come! And sometimy
stow the same. Either way, it's
REALLY Aelpful to 9° Hirough
Huis design process before
civing into The sequential art,
 ~Gavrett Brock Jazmine Duong

never thought I'd need a

choot sheet for back packs ,omd —
yot here itis. So. Many ba ck packs:
TL coubdn't remember who had
whck design, so how ingthis \

Ha page-drawing stage.
 A book panek AL\N AYS

starts as a Finy yough

sketch First. Once my
editor and mee sure
ak Ha pa works,

LT dvow He ponci eae

(a larg, tiahter version
of the pom ),which
T thon print oud ine
non- photo blue For

(Duri dhe inking stage,

if em A owd add 1
Han 9s — bike Jorge's smite
and Mr. Raccoon, here) ay [\ ee cee ee

Once the panelisinkced,

it is colored digi to
make it ready For pri Wh
To-dak! Now I just
have to oo tis 4,200
more times and L will
have a book! 0
eeComics are alot #) :
work.
 Cover is a really important part of the book because it'sHe

crush crush
first thing people see. J usually try out several sketches...

Bo lore tefand on Ke wienen ThotA will become the cover!

 3 THANK YOU! »
As (a mentioned, pnd ng grophic nov ks isa botof work,
but He production of this ork wars especia bby AFP cul because,
in ke middle opit alt, I became a mom to tis Cte guy.”

ers » J z

Fr re a 4
gs =: £4 , 2 a

As T craw over the Finish Gine,T feck immunse Grottitude fo

the people thot helped me get here.
 ng the
Followi
a
Svetlan

co
series

da
31.50 0 Cana
$24.00 {JS./$
0- 36 -3 6329—>
52400
7 =.
1SBN 978-
8