Wicked Hungry by Teddy Jacobs Read Free Book Online Page A

face goes hot. I just want to get out of there, now, but I feel a hand on my shoulder. I don’t even have to turn to know who it is, because he’s talking in my ear.
    “You need anything, Stanley?”
    And I just nod. My little brother is sitting next to me, squeezing my hand, and I don’t want him to know.
    “I’ll slip you a bottle at coffee hour,” Zach whispers in my ear. “But you’re going to owe me a favor. Will you be able to follow my instructions, when the time is right?”
    I nod, although I wish I knew what I was agreeing to. But hey, what’s a favor? I mean, he’s helping me out, right? And right now I am seriously strapped for cash.
    He’s silent for a moment, then touches my shoulder again.
    “Good. Now listen to your mother. I never would have figured Diana had anything to do with it, but it makes sense, doesn’t it? Like I always say, your body is your temple. I sure hope you’re not polluting it.”
    Josh is looking up at me, trying to figure out what Zach is whispering in my ear.
    But Zach? He’s already standing up, walking down the aisle. People look at him; my mother looks at him. Even my brother Josh stares at him.
    Am I surprised? He’s always been the one with the crazy charisma. The power of persuasion. The manipulative charm that he can turn on at will. And now, standing at the podium, he’s turned it on. Everyone is listening, everyone is staring, and he hasn’t even started talking yet.
    I sigh out loud, and my brother reaches out a hand to quiet me. My mother gives me a disapproving look.
    And Zach? He starts to talk. For my mother, for my brother, for the whole congregation, it’s like I’ve suddenly become invisible. Zach is the son, the brother, the congregation member they’ve always wanted.
    And me? If my mother only knew what I’ve already eaten. Just this morning, as I was getting ready to go to church.  If she had any idea, what would she do?
    Renegotiate a new pact with the goddess? Everyone vegetarian except for Stanley? Or would she trade me for Zach, who speaks so eloquently in all his vegan purity?
    Though I need a plan, I just want to go home.
    Unfortunately I need to wait for coffee hour. I can do without the coffee and the conversation, but I need those pills.

Chapter 11: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STANLEY
    A month passes. A whole cycle of the moon, of secret cravings, of meat snacks hidden everywhere, of pills and beef jerky consumed in private. Of growing guilt and growing chest hair. Not just on my chest. Hair everywhere. Ugh.
    But why dwell on the negatives? There are definitely some pluses. Like no pain. Three pills a day is not the end of the world. Pain-free, I can walk and keep up with my friends. I can even run, almost keeping up with Enrique. When he’s jogging, that is. Not on the sprints. Maybe in a few weeks, but for now, he still leaves me in the dust.
    Meanwhile Zach has been real relaxed about his favor. I mean he did ask me if I could get him an athame, which is this kind of ceremonial sword. It’s important to Wiccan rituals. I don’t know if he thinks he’s becoming a witch or what, but he asked me to bring one to school.
    Now I’m not stupid enough to bring a metal blade to school and keep it in my locker, like he asked me to. I mean, no one is that stupid, I hope. That would be like a one-way ticket to the juvenile detention center. But I do have this wood one that my mother carved for me and blessed when I turned twelve. It’s in my room, and it’s as easy as can be to just throw it in a little cloth bag, put it in my backpack, and stuff it in my locker. I mean, who cares about some carved wood? Except for Wiccans and other wannabe magicians?
    At least I’m finally done with the favor. It had really been hanging over me.
    Not that I’ve just been moping, either. I’ve had a lot of homework. Biology and geometry are killing me. Progress reports are coming up, and if I do as bad as I figure I deserve it’s goodbye gaming, goodbye what