We're Done

By Judy Irwin

What if it turns out that YOU'RE the bully - and you didn't know it?

Up until now, life has been good for 13-year-old Luke. He's good at sports, attractive, and he's a big wheel at Heyworth Academy, his private school. He likes to tease, and poke fun at the other kids, but that's just because he likes having fun. But things start to fall apart, six weeks into eighth grade, when Luke commits an act of 'goofing around' that ends up costing him his best friend and his beloved private school.

After he's expelled, Luke transfers to his local school, Carlyle. Now, he's on the outside looking in. His looks, and background (not to mention his Heyworth hoodie), make him stand out, and the tough guys zero in on him right away.

The upside-down world that Luke finds himself in at Carlyle gives him a whole new way of looking at things. Can he recover from losing his school, and his best friend, and find new friends and a way to fit in at Carlyle?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Judy Irwin
• Release date: Jul 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9780987708830

Judy Irwin

Author Judy Irwin's books are about kids dealing with everyday stuff, like parents and divorce, friendships and bullies, and figuring out how to handle different situations and circumstances. She lives in Toronto with a dog, a cat, and a hamster, plus her husband and two children, ages 11 and 14.She's written three books so far. In the first, called 'What Did You Say?', 12-year-old Tash and her mom are spending a month at a trailer park up north, right after Tash's parents divorce. This is where Tash first meets Luke, Jon and Polly.'We're Done' is about 13-year-old Luke, who gets kicked out of his private school and loses his best friend over an act of bullying. Tash and Jon, from the first book, are also characters in this one.'What's It To You?' is about 13-year-old Tim, who first appears as Luke's classmate in 'We're Done'. Tim has to decide if his new friendship with Harrison (also from 'We're Done') is right for him.For Judy, the middle school years are especially interesting since they can be some of the most challenging for kids. It's a time when kids are faced with new issues, and bigger problems, than many have experienced before. As they figure out how they feel, and decide how to respond, they're also figuring out who they are, and shaping the nature of the person they will grow into.

Book preview

We're Done

by Judy Irwin

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY

Judy Irwin on SMASHWORDS

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We're Done

Copyright 2012 by Judy Irwin

ISBN 978-0-9877088-3-0

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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We're Done

Chapter 1

Luke Mitchell never thought of himself as a bully. Sure, he liked to tease, and poke fun at other kids, but that's because he liked having fun. Most of the kids seemed to like the attention. And if some people didn't like it, well, they were just too sensitive.

That's how Luke saw it. That is, that's how he saw it right up until everything fell apart, six weeks into eighth grade.

Luke had been at Heyworth Academy since kindergarten. His sister was a junior at Heyworth, in the 11th grade, and his parents were big supporters of the school. Luke always felt that Heyworth was 'his' school. He'd always felt comfortable there, and now that he was one of the strongest swimmers on the swim team, and captain of the school soccer team, he felt even more confident of his position at school.

His handsome looks didn't hurt either. Luke had known he was good-looking since he'd been about five. That's when his sister's friends had started making a big deal of him, trying to comb his hair, always whispering about how cute he was. In every grade since kindergarten, the girls had always singled him out as 'the' guy to have a crush on. And Luke sure didn't mind the attention.

In fact, in seventh grade, he'd grown his blond hair long, and that seemed to really ramp up the attention. Now, his sister's friends looked at him in a different way, kind of like they were checking him out. Even the attitudes of the girls in his grade seemed to have changed.  Now, instead of giggling at him in the class or the lunchroom, they'd started sending him texts, and even calling him on his cell phone after school.

More fan mail, said Luke, as he clicked his phone shut. He and Jon were kicking through the fall leaves piled up on the sidewalk, as they walked to Heyworth.

You're such a superstar, said Jon. He smoothed down his straight black hair, and pushed his dark-rimmed glasses a little higher on his nose.  Anything interesting?

Nope, just the usual, said Luke. Asking if I'm entering the Lip Synch Contest this afternoon.

Are you? said Jon.

Not a chance, said Luke. Isn't it mostly for losers?

Well, my cousin Jillian is entering, said Jon.

Like I said — mostly for losers, said Luke.

Oh, don't be so superior, said Jon mildly. Sports aren't the only way to show your school spirit. Did you ever think that it's only because you're good at sports that you like playing them?

Huh? said Luke, turning to look at Jon.

Well, maybe if you were good at singing, or dancing, or something like that, you'd be doing it, instead of sneering, said Jon. Maybe you like sports, because you can do them well. I mean, have you ever tried to do something that you weren't good at?

Nope, said Luke. If I can't do something, then it's all over. No point wasting time or effort.

Hmm. I guess you're just lucky you're good at something, then, otherwise you'd be doing a lot of sitting on your couch, said Jon.

What can I say? I guess you're right, said Luke, and he grinned at Jon.

Luke and Jon had known each other for years. They'd met at Heyworth, in the third grade, when Jon's dad had been transferred to the city. That year, they'd bonded over a shared love of video games, soccer and the Bone series of graphic novels. In the fourth grade, Jon's parents had split up, and he'd gone through a rough couple of months. He'd spent a lot of time at Luke's, that year, and they'd been close friends ever since.

The boys were approaching Heyworth. The school was two stories high, covered in red brick. In front, there was a low brick wall, with a bronzed metal plaque attached on the front side, that said Heyworth Academy - the Home of Academic Excellence. A line of cars and SUVs moved slowly up the school driveway, dropping kids one-by-one at the front doors to the school.

Jon stepped off the sidewalk onto the road, where someone had pushed a big pile of leaves right next to the curb, and he kicked a shower of leaves toward Luke.

Watch it, dude! cried Luke. He stepped onto the road too, and kicked leaves back at Jon. Right back at ya!

A car turning into the school driveway honked at the boys, and they stepped back onto the sidewalk.

Hey, how's your mom? said Jon, leaning down to brush leaves off his pants. My dad said she's kind of depressed, or something?

Luke picked leaf fragments from his navy blue Heyworth blazer. Yeah, that's what my dad is saying. But she doesn't seem sad, to me — just sort of out of it. She just sleeps all the time. I mean, she's always kind of done her own thing. But now she's kind of checked out. I don't really know what to do — or if there's anything I can do, to help her. Anyway, I – oh hey, there's Artie!

 A short boy wearing a ball cap was getting out of a minivan pulled up in front of the school.

Artie, my man! called Luke. Pizza for dinner last night?

The short boy looked over at Luke. Huh? What are you talking about?

Well, you got some on your chin, said Luke, and laughed.

The boy frowned, and turned toward the school doors.

Nice, said Jon. You're just lucky you've got such a peaches and cream complexion. It's not Artie's fault that he's got acne.

Of course it's not his fault, said Luke. But since he does have it, we can have a little fun with it, can't we?

I guess, said Jon. The boys had reached the bottom of the steps leading to the main doors of the school. Hanging above the double wooden entrance doors was a large banner that read: Welcome to School Spirit Day! Go Heyworth!

Yahoo, Spirit Day, said Luke, as the boys walked up the steps.

Oh come on, you know you enjoy it, said Jon, as he pulled open the heavy wooden door. Anyway, I'll see you at the Lip Synch Contest. I'm going early to help Jill get set up. Save me a seat, and I'll meet you once she's ready.

That day, classes stopped at noon, so that the school spirit activities could begin. The Lip Synch Contest was held at the end of the afternoon, after all the other activities (classroom decorating, tape-a-kid-to-the-wall contest, and staff against kids soccer game) were done. It was the grand finale of School Spirit Day.

Luke made sure to save a seat in the gym for Jon. The stands were crowded, with kids jostling to find seats to watch the show. Hey, watch it! said Luke, to a kid who'd lost his balance in the row behind, and leaned against him as he steadied himself. Just before the contest started, Jon rushed from backstage to join Luke.

Wow, Jill's really nervous, said Jon. This is her first time, and she's practically crying.

Oh, she'll be fine, said Luke.

Well, she's only nine, said Jon. I hope she does OK. There's Mr. Kennedy. I guess it's time to start.

Mr. Kennedy was the principal at Heyworth.