Free Living Rough by Cristy Watson Page B

me.
    â€œWhat’s going on here, gentlemen?” Mr. Johnson arrived on the scene. I would have chosen a different word than gentlemen.
    â€œAh, nothing, Mr. J. We were just asking Mr. Reed here to move away from our lockers. Don’t want to be late for class, you know?”
    â€œWell, get your things and move on.” Mr. Johnson winked at me. He knew what was really going on. If he gave them heck, they would retaliate later. This way, I saved face and no one got hurt. I squeezed by one of the other kids and took off down the hall.
    I felt the residue from their insults but brushed them away as I continued searching for Inna. Thankfully she was waiting outside the office, looking more embarrassed than afraid.
    â€œI…sorry,” she said.
    â€œNo problem. Come with me.” The halls were nearly empty now. Only a few late students straggled to their rooms. We walked up the stairs and stopped outside her English class. The door was closed.
    â€œThis is your room,” I said.
    â€œTsank you.”
    â€œAt the end of class…wait here.” I pointed to an open space in the hall. “I will get you…here.” I pointed again, and she nodded. I hoped she knew what I meant.
    I knocked on the door. Ms. Carfax opened it and gestured for Inna to enter the room. I could hear her telling the class that Inna spoke little English. As I turned to leave, I caught Inna looking back at me and smiling. I felt an energy surge through me. I couldn’t wait for the end of class so I could see her again.
    I was usually careful not to let anyone get under my skin .
    What is it about her?
    As I opened the door to social studies, Mr. Brock gave me the evil eye but didn’t send me for a late slip. Paul, another troublemaker (the school’s not short on them), tried to trip me as I passed him. Their games were so old. They’d been doing this since I arrived last fall. I ignored Paul and slipped into my desk.
    Seventy-two drops of rain slid down the window while Mr. Brock told us what we’d be studying next. I only half listened. I never sweated much because I usually got decent grades. And that’s good. Even though it’s a long shot, I hope to enroll at university when I finish high school. I’m not sure what I’ll take, but I know I don’t want to end up like my dad.
    Mr. Brock mentioned an article he wanted to share with us, and I was brought back to reality. Something he said made me panic. I looked up. He was staring straight at me.
    Did he know my secret?

Chapter Three
    Mr. Brock asked us to turn to page seventy-two. He opened a newspaper story on the computer and projected the image onto the screen. My palms were sweating, and the pages of my textbook stuck to my fingers. This was going to be tricky. A few kids were looking at me.
    Why are they staring?
    Do they know?
    Mr. Brock tapped my shoulder. I nearly jumped out of my seat.
    â€œYou’re being paged, Edgar. One of your classmates can help you to catch up when you return.”
    Jeez, I hadn’t even heard the announcement. I’m glad I didn’t blurt anything out.
    As I moved down the hall, I wondered who I needed to thank for the getaway?
    For a moment, I considered returning to class to grab my books. Then I could bail on socials. But I figured Mr. Brock would wonder why I was back so quickly. So I headed toward the office, where I found Inna waiting for me.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I asked.
    â€œGo home…I go home.”
    â€œYou have to go home? But school isn’t over…”
    â€œHer parents are here. They have to sign some paperwork, and Inna needs to be with them.” The secretary pointed to the door leading outside. I could see a silver Buick waiting with its engine running.
    â€œI tell you I go home. Tsank you for today.” Inna smiled. Her eyes danced like they were smiling too.
    I couldn’t believe what I was thinking. Eyes dancing …where