Don't Care High Read Online Free Page B

dude.”
    â€œOh, he is,” said Sheldon. “Do you happen to know his name?”
    â€œNeg, dude. No name.”
    Even Wayne-o had no idea, commenting, “Well, he’s a senior, and he’s weird, and he drives a cool car. But I don’t know his name. It’s not Wayne-o, though. That’s me.” He walked away, laughing as though he’d just said something hilarious.
    â€œWell, I guess your man’s political career is on the skids already,” said Paul, mostly out of relief. “He’s the most anonymous person I’ve ever heard of. Why don’t you try making Wayne-o president? Everybody knows him.”
    â€œWayne-o would never want to be president,” Sheldon explained patiently. “He’s just happy that he gets to be Wayne-o. But we’re not dead yet. We’ve got one more chance.” He headed for the stairwell.
    Paul followed reluctantly. “Aw no, Shel, not Feldstein! I want to steer clear of that guy. If he gives us information, he’s going to want another favour.”
    â€œThis one’s on me,” Sheldon promised with a grin.
    As they descended into the locker baron’s lair, they found Feldstein already occupied with a red-haired boy, one in the junior class.
    â€œLast January you needed a locker by the art room — I got you a locker by the art room. Today I need a favour from you.”
    â€œWhat’ll it be, Feldstein?”
    â€œMashed potatoes, I need mashed potatoes — smooth, creamy, not instant. With chicken gravy.”
    â€œYou’ve got it, Feldstein.” The junior ran off.
    Sheldon stepped forward.
    Feldstein looked surprised. “You’re back already? Is something wrong with the locker?”
    â€œOh no,” Paul stammered. “It’s fine.”
    â€œWe need information,” said Sheldon. “A name. His locker’s 205C.”
    Feldstein shook his head, his face assuming a world-weary expression. “No, man, not that guy. I lost a lot of sleep over that guy.”
    Paul had to speak up. “Why?”
    A distant gleam flickered in the locker baron’s eye. “Last year I went for broke. I owned the entire 200C series, the longest uninterrupted row of lockers in the school — except for 205. So I made a play for 205. That’s how I first met Mike Otis.”
    â€œMike Otis?” repeated Paul.
    â€œMike Otis!” cheered Sheldon, waving a fist in triumph. “He’s going to be a great man!”
    Feldstein looked pained. “I sent for the guy — he didn’t come!
I
had to find
him
! It took me
three days
hanging out in front of 205.
Twice
the janitors tried to throw out my chair while I was away. So finally I found him.” He looked Sheldon squarely in the eye. “Have you ever actually tried to
talk
to Mike Otis? Forget it! I would have had more chance making a deal with his locker. I offered him locker packages fit for royalty. He wasn’t interested. My best locations! With views! Convenient to almost any room he wanted! No. And that was it — the end of the biggest locker bid in history. I could have retired on those 200C’s. I’m not getting any younger, you know. So don’t talk to me about Mike Otis.”
    Sheldon placed a sympathetic hand on the locker baron’s shoulder. “You’re still the greatest of them all, Feldstein. Thanks for the name. I owe you.”
    * * *
    At three thirty-five that afternoon, the name of Mike Otis was officially placed in the running for the position of student body president of Don Carey High School. There were twenty-five names in support of the nomination. These had been easily collected from students Sheldon was friendly with. While no one was interested in signing, no one was willing to put up any resistance, either, and Sheldon pressed this advantage.
    â€œHere, sign this,” he would