Popcorn: Chapters 13–14

by Rob Harrell
Anxious, lanky, middle schooler Andrew Yeager experiences his worst nightmare, a full-blown panic attack in front of his classmates, after encountering many misfortunes on the same school day. Friendship, humility, and humor help Andrew cope with his very difficult day, which ultimately results in freedom from a longtime bully, and receives the compassion of his peers.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–8, Chapters 9–10, Chapters 11–12, Chapters 13–14, Chapters 15–16,
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. defiantly
    in a rebellious manner
    Walking into science class, I’m so lost in thought about G that I almost run right into Gene the Mean.
    “Nice shirt, Shoestain.” He’s intentionally blocking my way, arms crossed, looking up at me defiantly. “What’d you do, run to the Dollar Store for a replacement?”
  2. thrift
    extreme care in spending money
    He’s called me a variety of things in the past: Thrift Shop, Dollar Store, Walmart, Mr. Green Shoes, and his favorite—Shoestain. It’s infuriating given that he always has the newest, most expensive limited-edition sought-after sneakers a kid could dream of.
  3. infuriate
    make extremely angry
    He’s called me a variety of things in the past: Thrift Shop, Dollar Store, Walmart, Mr. Green Shoes, and his favorite—Shoestain. It’s infuriating given that he always has the newest, most expensive limited-edition sought-after sneakers a kid could dream of.
  4. extracurricular
    outside the regular academic course of studies
    “So, first off, I heard from Mr. Abrams there was some excitement in the cafeteria today. Someone doing a little extracurricular science experiment, sounds like. Anyone in here want to take credit for that? It seems like it was a success in some ways.”
  5. fixate
    pay attention to exclusively and obsessively
    I’ll admit it. I tune out. I can’t believe I haven’t heard back from Mika yet. I keep waiting for the intercom above the door to crackle to life and tell me I have a call or something. I look that way and oops, there’s Gene, doing his best impression of a fixated hyena or grizzly or something. A chill races over me and now the Anxiety Follies are back in action once again.
  6. casually
    in an unconcerned manner
    I look away, and casually start five-tapping on the side of my metal stool, softly enough to not make a noise. (This is honestly part of the reason I chose the back row, so nobody behind me can see my taps. You think about these things when you tap.)
  7. deadpan
    deliberately impassive in manner
    I grab the spoon and carefully place two crystals into it. Then Kendrick reaches over and drops a few more in, giving me a big, charming Kendrick smile, eyebrows raised. I shoot him the most deadpan look I have in me and dump them all back out. I carefully put two back in. Kendrick shrugs and laughs with a “had to try” look.
  8. protocol
    code of correct conduct
    “Okay. Now, in an orderly fashion, I’m going to have you go get aprons and goggles from the hooks before we do this. No joking around, okay? Let’s remember all the safety protocols we’ve—”
    Just then the intercom over the door crackles again and lets out a squawk.
  9. long-winded
    using or containing too many words
    It’s Principal Espinosa, long-winded as always. Just get to it!
    “I need Kendrick Stevens to report immediately to the principal’s office, posthaste. Please give Kendrick a hall pass and direct him this way. Thank you, and pardon the interruption.”
  10. scurry
    move about or proceed hurriedly
    Just then I sense motion to my right and look over. Gene is scurrying back from my table to his. He’s taken advantage of Mr. Stanley being distracted again, but what did he do?
    I notice my little dish of crystals is empty and panic.
  11. concoct
    devise or invent
    I put my hands on the lab table and lean over to look in, just as whatever chemical reaction Mr. Stanley has concocted causes the contents to change color and geyser up like a cannon blast of dark purple foam. I see it coming—I’m looking straight down the barrel after all—but fast reflexes clearly aren’t my thing.
    The only sound from the reaction is a cartoonish FWOOOOMP, which makes things a little more surreal.
  12. reflex
    an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
    I put my hands on the lab table and lean over to look in, just as whatever chemical reaction Mr. Stanley has concocted causes the contents to change color and geyser up like a cannon blast of dark purple foam. I see it coming—I’m looking straight down the barrel after all—but fast reflexes clearly aren’t my thing.
    The only sound from the reaction is a cartoonish FWOOOOMP, which makes things a little more surreal.
  13. surreal
    resembling a dream
    I put my hands on the lab table and lean over to look in, just as whatever chemical reaction Mr. Stanley has concocted causes the contents to change color and geyser up like a cannon blast of dark purple foam. I see it coming—I’m looking straight down the barrel after all—but fast reflexes clearly aren’t my thing.
    The only sound from the reaction is a cartoonish FWOOOOMP, which makes things a little more surreal.
  14. bray
    laugh loudly and harshly
    I clamp my eyes shut as tight as I can—again, I have NOT been paying attention, so I have zero idea what’s all over me. I hear people scrambling around, some gasps, and teacher-shoed feet running to me, but also the unmistakable sound of Gene the Mean laughing.
    No, not just laughing.
    Braying.
  15. flustered
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    “Okay, I know it’s weird, but just…open your eyes. Let the water rinse them out.”
    Opening my eyes is the last thing I want to do. “Is it gonna hurt?”
    “I…” Mr. Stanley sounds flustered. “I don’t think so? I’ve gotta be honest, I’ve never had to use the eye wash station in twelve years of teaching.”
  16. smirk
    a smile expressing smugness or scorn instead of pleasure
    And there’s Gene in the back, a smirk on his face.
  17. splotch
    an irregularly shaped spot or patch
    I look down and my shirt looks like a tie-dye. Dark purple splotches cover most of it. Then I realize there are purple splotches on my arms too. I look up at Kendrick.
    He winces. “Your face too. Like you got in a fight with a grape Slush-O.”
  18. absolute
    complete and without restriction or qualification
    Mr. Stanley makes a face at Kendrick. “Of course you did. So then, who did it?”
    He looks around the room. I’m aware of the absolute silence in the room— nobody wants to snitch on Gene.
  19. slog
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    I’m slogging past the math room when Mr. Harris steps out to shut his door. He stops cold when he sees me.
    “Andrew? Are you all right?” He looks genuinely concerned, so I must look like I was in an explosion. I mean…I was.
    I nod and keep going.
  20. blunt
    characterized by directness in manner or speech
    I get maybe twenty more feet down the hall before the intercom system comes back to life. I stop.
    “Andrew Yaeger and Aisha Jones, report to the principal’s office. Thank you.” It’s Principal Espinosa’s voice, but he sounds so blunt. So not how he talks that my heart starts racing. Either they have G or there’s bad news.
Created on Sun Apr 06 13:00:59 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Apr 14 14:52:36 EDT 2025)

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