Chapters 5 and 6 Summary

"Just Say No:"

Still in flashback, the narrative describes how, when school starts again the following September with Jake in sixth grade, his laying low had become boredom, and he is glad to get back to classes. There, he is excited to meet Aaron, a new kid in town who, Jake senses, is going to be popular. In an effort to increase his own popularity, Jake invites Aaron over, putting together a complicated plan to avoid Aaron and Skelly meeting each other. For a while the plan works, but then Skelly visits the boys having forgotten to put on any pants or underpants. Aaron laughs hysterically, and Jake desperately tries to convince him to keep quiet. Aaron agrees, but then the next day Jake is taunted at school by other students who have heard the story. He resolves to withdraw completely...