Free Dull Boy by Sarah Cross Page B

open.
    Five, four, three, two . . .
    “Sounds like you’re doing well at your new school, kiddo.”
    My mom clicks in after him, doing her “happy” walk (definitely different from her “angry” walk). “I got a call from your school today.” She’s smiling. What the heck could this be about?
    “Uh, you did?”
    “Assistant Principal Carmine said it’s remarkable how well you’re adjusting.”
    Principal Carmine? The only Carmine I know is Darla.
    My dad sets down a paper take-out bag. “Your mom was so thrilled she even stopped to get Chinese food.”
    “Thanks. Awesome.” I peek inside to see what she ordered. Mmm—it smells so good. I pry out an eggroll and bite into it.
    “Ms. Carmine said you stopped a fight today.”
    I almost hack up my eggroll.
    My mom’s bustling around, all proud, setting the table. “It seems your instincts aren’t all bad. She said you managed to talk two known bullies into not fighting each other, and sitting down and discussing their problems instead. Can you believe that?”
    Uh, noooo.
    No one under eighteen would believe that. But she’s talking to my dad now, not me. Chattering on about how being in an environment “that lacks traditional peer pressure” and where I don’t have to worry about “being cool enough” (did she really just say that??) is allowing me to have a positive effect on the other students.
    I empty a whole quart of beef and broccoli onto my plate. “Do you mind if I take this into the den? I need to do some work on the computer. One of the kids I helped today wants me to IM him to talk about his anger issues. That okay?”
    My mom blinks, a little surprised. “I guess so.”
    “Thanks!” I call out. I’m already gone. Logging in and hunting down Darla Carmine—the freaking craziest girl I’ve ever met. My mom’s not mad at me anymore, which is a good thing, but Darla still has some explaining to do.
    Me: hey there assistant principal. lie to my mom much?
    Carmine314: I do what I can. :) how’d it go w/Catherine?
    Me: not good not horrible. she sends her love.
    Carmine314: lol yeah I bet. are you writing this from the hospital?
    Me: intensive care of course ;)
    Time to move in for the kill and ask a real question. Deep breath.
    Me: so help me understand something. what’s ur place in all this?
    Carmine314: ??
    Me: stalking catherine, enrolling in our school—why? what’s in it for u?
    A new window pops up, this time with Nate’s screen name. I haven’t heard from any of my old teammates since I hung up on Henry the night of his birthday. Now the most detested of all my friends (past and future) wants to talk to me?
    natethegrate: still sulking? ;) u should call h it rily hurt his feelings u didn’t evn get him a prezzie 4 his bday some freind lol
    I’m still trying to respond with something more eloquent than F*** Y** when motor hands gets his next line out.
    natethegrate: *hands u tissue* dry those tears Av lol is it tru ur at that loser skool? u fit in so well ther
    I grit my teeth. Yeah—you’re hilarious. You could go on all night, right? I click over to Darla’s window.
    Me: sorry my a-hole ex-friend is harassing me. give me something good to say.
    Carmine314: in response to what?
    I copy and paste Nate’s hilarity and send it to her.
    Me: I need to get him back w/o sounding pathetic.
    Carmine314: can’t you just ignore him?
    Me: NO!!!
    Carmine314: hmm all right . . . do you want me to hack his MySpace & wreak unimaginable havoc?
    Me: YES PLEASE
    Carmine314: he’s going to love his new My Little Pony layout so much he won’t even mind that his password’s changed & he can’t take it down.
    Me: ur awesome :D
    Carmine314: np that’s what friends are for ;D Me: gtg but 1 more thing . . .
    Me: do u have catherine’s address?

9
     
    TONIGHT’S FLIGHT HAS a purpose. I take a few slow breaths, pushing the air as deep into my lungs as it’ll go, till it’s like I’m filled up with sky. And then I push off, with every