Freshman Sidekick (High School Sidekick, #1) By Ron Tucker
Publication date: May 13, 2019
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Superhero, Young Adult
Summary:
Robbie isn’t your normal high school student. He can teleport. And in King City, if you’ve got a superpower, that means you can sign up to be a sidekick, so he does just that.
Wanting to become a sidekick, and hopefully, a fully-fledged superhero one day has been all Robbie’s dreamed about. But like they always say, be careful what you wish for.
No sooner than his first day of high school, does the balancing act commence. Making time for his best friend?
Finally getting to go out with his crush? Training with his superhero mentor? Not to mention, there’s a psychotic villain on the loose and his minion seems to want to kill him.
Yeah, high school can suck. Add superpowers to the mix and it can be downright deadly.
—
EXCERPT:
… After years of reading about superheroes, following the ones who had profiles on social media sites, and always keeping up-to-date with the latest sidekick being promoted, you could say I’m a superhero junkie. Not that the rest of the world doesn’t love superheroes. They’re just as famous as movie stars and pro-athletes. Fan clubs, groupies, protestors; superheroes have them all.“Can you believe it?” Pete asks. “Our first day of high school.”
Before I can answer, a huge guy walks into Pete’s shoulder, almost knocking him down. He has to be at least a foot taller than me, long sideburns, and facial hair. Not just stubble. I’m talking a full-fledged goatee on his chin. If he didn’t have a letterman’s jacket on, I’d swear he was a teacher.
“Watch it, freshman,” he grunts, pushing through and continuing on his way.
“Yeah, awesome.” I roll my eyes.
“Sheesh. I guess we’re at the bottom of the food chain, huh?”
“I guess so.”
I enter my first class and find an empty desk in the back. Pulling my books out of my backpack, I look up as the bell rings, and see Jasmin walk into class. I could call her beautiful, but it’s so much more than that.
It’s like seeing a sunset over the horizon. The rays of the sun shining over the clouds. You could describe the colors, but the words don’t do them justice. Colors you never knew existed, but when we see them, you know it’s something to admire. Something that tells you the universe is a vast and glorious place. That’s what she is.
I haven’t seen her since the last day of eighth grade, but she looks amazing as always. She’s added silver highlights to her wavy, brown hair, which complements her gorgeous hazel eyes. I nearly sigh out loud. She’s maybe an inch or two shorter than me. Liking her as long as I have, I was super embarrassed in sixth grade when she was taller than me. I’m glad that’s over. I came close to asking her out once last year, but I couldn’t spit out the right words. I ended up asking her if she wanted two dumplings. Yeah, brilliant.
Her best friend, Maria, strolls into the classroom with her, and they take two chairs on the other side of the classroom. As she sits down, Jasmin looks over at me, and smiles. I smile back, melting inside, then raise my hand to wave to her.
“Yes?” the teacher says aloud, standing in front of the class.
Eyes turn and stare at me. Jasmin’s eyes widen, jumping back and forth between myself and the teacher. I look up front to find my teacher staring at me with a questioning expression.
“Yes?” he repeats, this time with a stern undertone.
“Oh, uh.” I drop my hand. “No, nothing. Sorry.” Looking back over at Jasmin, I watch as Maria whispers something to her, and they both giggle. Perfect.
The rest of my first day of high school is uneventful. I have algebra, biology, and my last class of the day is history, with Pete. We’re able to find two chairs next to one another; we take our seats as the bell rings. My phone vibrates, and I pull it out, shocked to see an alert from Mr. Mimic.
“What’s up?” Pete asks, seeing the expression on my face.
“Oh, nothing.”
Mimic: Worm – Priority Level Red.
Me: What are you doing texting my phone?
Mimic: Didn’t you install the Justice Alliance code protector yet?
Me: No!
Mimic: Worm, you need to do that ASAP. But right now, we’ve got bigger problems. Priority Level Red.
Me: Right now???
An abrupt cough almost makes me drop my phone. My head snaps up, and I see my history teacher. His stern scowl is only amplified by the thick, horned-rim glasses sitting across the bridge of his nose.
“Mr. Garcia, is it?” he asks, glancing down at a piece of paper. “No cell phones during my class.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
My eyes find my screen again, and I see Mr. Mimic’s last message.
Mimic: Now Worm! Fifth and Main!
Pete lifts a brow, no doubt confused as to why I’m looking around the room, my brain speeding a mile a minute as I try to find an excuse to leave. Deciding to use ol’ faithful as an excuse, I raise my hand.
The teacher lets out a loud sigh. “Yes, Mr. Garcia?”
“Yes, sir, I’m sorry, but I really need to use the restroom?”
“Class just started.”
“Um, yeah. Sorry.” I give an embarrassed cringe, and bob a little back and forth, hopefully selling the seriousness of my bathroom needs.
Grumbling something under his breath, he returns his attention to his piece of paper, impatiently waving his hand in the air.
“Sorry,” I whisper to Pete.
His expression is puzzled, watching me grab my backpack, and I quickly exit the room.
\Author Bio:Raised on a healthy dose of Saturday morning cartoons, video games, and Captain Crunch cereal (with crunch berries, of course), I write books that capture my imagination.
When I'm not writing, you can probably find me plotting my next story, playing video games, or at the movies with a large Diet Coke and a large popcorn--no butter.
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