Popcorn: Chapters 15–16

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. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
    “So, Aisha’s mom is—understandably—in a bit of a state. We wanted to contact your mom’s new employer. At first, she just didn’t want to worry your mom on her big day, but now she…” He winces. “She can’t remember your mom’s new boss’s name.”
    Jonesy tips her head back, exasperated. “Guh. Mo-o-m!”
    I’ve got this, I think. “It’s Mister Mc…Mc…”
  2. urgency
    pressing importance requiring speedy action
    “Go!” He says it with an urgency that matches mine. It might be the shortest thing he’s ever said.
    I sprint off as fast as I can, and realize Jonesy is right beside me.
  3. chime in
    break into a conversation
    “Hi, Mom,” I chime in. “I’m here.”
    My mom’s voice catches in her throat. “Oh, honey. Are…are you okay?”
  4. jolt
    a sudden jarring impact
    I turn on the water, glance up at the mirror—and freeze. It’s a jolt.
    It’s way worse than I’d imagined. So much worse.
  5. autopilot
    a mental state in which you act without self-awareness
    My kernel is popping.
    Right here. Right now.
    Kellerman takes the rag away from my arm, and the spot looks a little better. It’s still stained, but it’s lighter. I grab the rag out of his hand—I’m not trying to be rude, but I’m on autopilot. I lean into the mirror and start scrubbing at my face. The fumes sting my good eye, but I don’t care.
  6. hyperventilate
    breathe excessively hard and fast
    I can tell I’m starting to shake. I must look out of control. No, I definitely am. I’ve lost it.
    I can hear my breath coming in and out, louder and louder. It’s raspy and frantic and the thought occurs to me I might be starting to hyperventilate.
  7. full-fledged
    having gained complete status
    My breathing is out of control now, my heart is beating like a jackhammer, and I’m starting to sweat and aw, man:
    Here.
    We.
    Go.
    This is a “Full-Fledged Panic Attack.”
    In class.
    On full display.
    My worst fear is happening.
  8. rational
    having its source in or being guided by the intellect
    All rational thinking has stopped. The sound of blood rushing in my ears is almost all I can hear.
    The best I can describe it is that my brain is a trapped badger, and all it’s doing is reacting.
  9. lash out
    attack, especially in speech or writing
    Mr. Kellerman tries to put his hands on my shoulders…and my inner cornered badger lashes out. My panicked brain sees even his attempt to calm me down as a threat…
    …and I hit him.
  10. mortified
    made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded pride
    Suddenly, here are the big tears. The real ones.
    They arrive, full force, as I’d always feared they would.
    The whole class is watching—just like in my visions of this.
    I’m mortified, but that part of me is in another state where I can’t even care.
  11. genuine
    being or reflecting the essential character of something
    This is genuine, grade A panic.
    Like, “waking up and the serial killer is in your room” panic. Or “watching someone you love fall off a cliff” panic.
  12. tentatively
    in a hesitant manner
    With that, Mr. Kellerman takes the soaked rag out of my hand and tosses it in the sink. He—tentatively at first, until he knows I’m not gonna clobber him again—gets a big hand under each of my armpits and helps me to my feet, then puts his arm around me for support.
  13. clobber
    strike violently and repeatedly
    With that, Mr. Kellerman takes the soaked rag out of my hand and tosses it in the sink. He—tentatively at first, until he knows I’m not gonna clobber him again—gets a big hand under each of my armpits and helps me to my feet, then puts his arm around me for support.
  14. suffocate
    struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
    It feels like I’m breathing all the air in the world—sucking it into me in big howling breaths—but I still feel like I’m suffocating.
  15. apparently
    seemingly; as far as one can tell
    I hear Mr. Kellerman saying “You’re safe, Andrew” in his calmest voice. “I’m here. We’re gonna get through this.”
    I can hear him, but it sounds like he’s so far away.
    And muffled, like the adults in a Charlie Brown special. But some of it gets
    through. My ears have apparently stopped working right.
Created on Mon Apr 07 08:39:23 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Apr 14 14:50:43 EDT 2025)

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