Free Revenge Of A Band Geek Gone Bad by Naomi Rabinowitz

things on his mind. 
    "I have it right here in my bag," he whispered.  "So we're good.  I just have to find a way into the administrative office so I can mail it from there.  But don't worry, I'm prepared," he said, wiggling his gloved hands.  "I'm doing everything I can to make sure we're not caught."
    I laughed, though I was a little let down that he hadn't mentioned our weekend.  "How are you planning to get into the office in the first place?" I asked.  "I don't think they'll just let you waltz in and send a letter."
    "I know.  That's why I'll have to be creative."  Just then Principal Muller strove past us.  "Okay, watch this," Josh said.  He suddenly whirled around.  "Hey, Muller!"   He called out loudly enough so that the people on the other side of the school could probably hear him.  " Muller fucker ."
    The principal immediately stopped walking and stood opposite Josh.  My mouth fell open and I could hear a few other kids gasp.  Surely he was about to get his ass kicked, especially by Principal Muller, who's this no-nonsense guy.  He rarely yells like Mr. Francis does, but has this subtle-but-firm way of burning right into your soul with his dark eyes.  Not that I've ever been called to the principal's office, but I've been there when he's lectured other people.  Even then, I was intimidated.
    Principal Muller stopped dead in his tracks and cleared his throat.  Josh braced, ready to get what was coming to him.  To everyone’s surprise, the principal’s lips curled into a grin and he shook his head.  "Very clever, Mr. Kowalski,” he said, rolling his eyes.  “That’s definitely a new one and I’m in a good mood today so I’m going to pretend that I didn’t hear that.  But you say it again and you're going straight to detention."
    I thought it was cool that Muller had such a great sense of humor.  How many principals would let someone get away with a remark like that ?  But Josh apparently wasn't satisfied to escape by the skin of his teeth.  Oh, no.
    He got got a gleam in his eyes and grinned back at our principal.  "Yeah, like I’m scared of detention, Scotty ," he sneered.  “I can say whatever I want.  Free country.”
    That did it.  Principal Muller's face clouded over and his soul-sucking eyes emerged.  Guess he could take some cursing, but wasn't thrilled about Josh taunting his authority.  "You know, I try to be very fair, especially when it comes to you Kowalski, but you need to show me respect," he said in his low voice.  "And that's not the way to do it."  He sighed and beckoned to Josh.  "I gave you one chance.  Now come with me."
    Josh didn't argue, but turned and winked at me as he followed Muller.  "That was way too easy," he mouthed.
    ###
    Later on in band, Josh stopped by my chair.  "Okay, it's done," he said excitedly.  "I had to listen to a boring-lecture from Muller and got a week's worth of before-school detention, but it was worth it."
    "That's great," I told him, but secretly hoped that it wouldn't work.  It still seemed too risky a plan, especially since he'd already gotten on Muller's bad side.
    Once Josh stepped away, Kathy turned to me.  She wore a sour expression as if she'd just taken a whiff of poo, but even so, her hair still looked perfect.  "What's with you and Josh?" she asked.  "I see him driving you sometimes and at your locker.  When did you guys get all buddy-buddy?"
    I shrugged.  "We just know each other from band."  I could tell she was dying to know just how "buddy-buddy" he and I were, but I wasn't about to open up to Kathy .
    Kathy raised a neatly-trimmed eyebrow.  "You know, I hope you don't like him because you're just setting yourself up to get hurt," she warned.  She twirled a red curl around her finger.  "I've seen him do this with like, a million girls.  He'll flirt with them just to get attention and then move on when he gets what he wants.  Hell, he tried to do that with me," she laughed, almost to herself.