On the way back from the lake, I suddenly got the feeling I was being followed. What would be following me out here? Some agent of the Dark Lord? Some monster from the Outer Lands? No, it was nothing like that -- it was Jeremy Fisher.
You know the saying, ‘If looks could kill’? Well, if looks could kill, I’d have never made it to my 10th birthday. Jeremy was staring at me, a look of contempt, maybe even hatred on his face. I’d never seen him like that before. He was my friend! Why would he be so angry with me? I didn’t have to wait long to find out.
"You made fun of her! Both you and Billy. You made fun of her, and I was the only one who treated her nicely. I treated her like a friend should--like a boy-friend should--but she still chose you.” Jeremy spit the words like venom, then turned his head away from me, before continuing. “She chose you. After all the mean words you said to her, she still picked you over me. You’d better treat her good, because if you hurt her, I’ll... I’ll...” Jeremy turned back to face me, stared directly into my eyes, I swore I saw tears welling in his eyes. Tears from Jeremy Fisher! Then he took off running, no more words necessary.
I made my way back to the trailer park, still stunned from both the moment with Sam, and the encounter with Jeremy. I walked through the park like a zombie. Dougie Irons sat on one of the swings in the park, smoking a cigarette while swinging slowly back and forth. He looked up as I walked by and promptly gave me the finger. I walked past Sasha O’Reily and her twin sister Laura, they were standing out on the road in front of their trailer, giggling and whispering in each other’s ears. I saw Sasha point at me as I walked by and whisper something to Laura. They both burst into a fit of giggles. I ignored them and continued on my way. My mom was in the side yard, weeding the garden while chatting with the neighbor, Mrs. Danari. Nothing unusual there. Mom saw me walk by and waved. I waved back, still rather dazed.
I went into the trailer, went through the kitchen, down the hallway, turned left, opened the door, walked inside, and flopped down onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. I’m not sure how long I stared up at the ceiling, I do know my mom woke me up a couple of hours later, just in time for dinner.