,,LO/ ,,& ,,F.D
BY
,&REW ,CLE;TS
,VOLUME #B ( #B ,VOLUMES
,BRL ,PAGES P#A-P#C & #GE-AFJ
,PR9T ,PAGES #GD-A#AFA
,SPONSOR$ ,& ,PRES5T$ ,BY
,! ,AM]ICAN ,AC;N ,FUND1
,= ,BL ,*N ,& ,ADULTS1
#AHJJ ,JOHNSON ,/REET1
,BALTIMORE1 ,M>YL& #BABCJ
,WE ,D ,? ,T ,!
,BL ,MAY ,R1D
,PRODUC$ ,AT
,BRL ,9T]N,NAL1 ,9C4
,/U>T1 ,FLORIDA P#A
,TEXT COPY"R ^C #BJJH
0,&REW ,CLE;TS
,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$
,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME
^C ,COPY"R4
P#C
,,LO/ ,,& ,,F.D #GD
,,*APT] #AB
,,FLIP ,,FLOP ,,FLIP
,SATUR"D 0 A P]FECT ,SEPTEMB]
"D--BLUE SKY1 L[ HUMID;Y1 AB SEV5TY
DEGREES4 ,& T M1NT X 0 "T 6D Y>D "W4
,& H\SE"W4 ,& M UNPACK+4
,& T M1NT T ,RAY & ,JAY _H
6COORD9ATE _! ":ABS S !Y WDN'T 2
\TSIDE 9 ! SAME >EA AT ! SAME MO;T4 ,:
TURN$ \ 6BE IMPORTANT4
,2C :ILE ,RAY 0 M[+ ! FRONT LAWN1 A
GUY F 8 ,?URS"D GYM CLASS RODE 0ON 8
BIKE4 ,HE WAV$ & YELL$1 8,HEY--,I LIVE
ON ! NEXT BLOCK6 ,SEE Y R.D40
,& :ILE ,JAY 0 /ACK+ ! ?IRD BUNDLE (
FLATT5$ C>DBO>D BOXES 9 ! RECYCL+ PILE
AT ! FRONT CURB1 A GIRL HE REMEMB]$ F
MUSIC CLASS WAV$ AT HM \ ! W9D[ (A
PASS+ C>4
-----------------------------------#GE
,X 0 A L;G1 BUSY MORN+1 & "! 0 / A
LOT LEFT 6D4 ,B :ILE !Y 7 EAT+ #GE
LUN* AT AB "O ?IRTY1 _! DAD SD1 A#GE
8,H[ AB WE KNOCK (F =! AFN1 WALK OV]
6! P>K1 & PLAY "S BASEBALL80
,: S.D$ GRT4 ,EXCEPT =! RULE AB N 2+
VISI# 9 ! SAME PLACE AT ! "T4 ,RAY &
,JAY W5T UP 6_! ROOM1 & AF A %ORT
>GU;T1 !Y AGRE$ 6FLIP A CO9 6SEE :O
GOT 6G4 ,& ,RAY WON ! TOSS4
,S ,JAY _H 6/AY HOME & HIDE 9 !
H\SE4 ,PLUS "W ON ! SOCIAL /UDIES
REPORT1 2C T 0 ! EXCUSE HE GAVE = N
WANT+ 6G PLAY BASEBALL4 ,: 0 "O M
LIE--A BIG "O4 ,6SP5D A SUNNY AFN
RESE>*+ ! CULTURES ( ,MESOPOTAMIA 0 N
:AT HE WANT$ 6D4 ,& AF AB AN H\R (
(F-&-ON "W1 HE LAY D[N ON 8 B$ & TOOK
A L;G NAP4
,! BE/ "P ( ,JAY'S ,SATUR"D 0 WAK+
UP F 8 NAP 64COV] T A BIG BAG ( ,*9ESE
FOOD _H J BE5 DELIV]$1 & D9N] 0 S]V$4
,HE SAT D[N AT ! KIT*5 TA# & R1*$ =
8 FAVORITE ,*9ESE FOOD--! =TUNE
COOKIE4 ,JAY KNEW HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6WAIT &
H X LA/1 B HE N"E DID4
,8 MOM SD1 8,S :AT'S YR #GF
=TUNE80
8,X SAYS1 ,8,IF YR PA? 2COMES
DI6ICULT1 N"E DESPAIR40'0
,8 DAD NO4$4 8,GD ADVICE4 ,PL1SE
PASS ! SPR+ ROLLS40
,! :OLE FAMILY 0 HUNGRY1 S "! WASN'T
M* TALK =! NEXT FEW M9UTES4 ,& :5 !
PH"O RANG1 NO "O JUMP$ 6GET X 2C E M\?
0 FULL4 ,MR4 ,GRAYSON ANSW]$ X ON !
F\R? R+4
8,HELLO80
,HE LI/5$ A MO;T1 !N GAVE ! H&SET
6,JAY4 8,X'S "S"O "ND ,ALEX40
,JAY GULP$ D[N A BITE ( *ICK5 & SD1
8,ALEX--HI40
8,HI1 ,JAY4 ,Y EAT+8 ',CAUSE ,I C
CALL BACK40
8,NO1 X'S OKAY40
8,I WANT$ 6SEE IF Y'RE UP =A /ICK
SES.N4 ,AT ! R9K TM40
8,A /ICK SES.N80 ,JAY ASK$4
8,Y1H1 X'S FREE SKATE "T1 EXCEPT Y C
H /ICKS & PUCKS4 ,& Y H 6WE> A HELMET4
,Y WANT 6-E80 #GG
8,Y1H1 ,I D10 ,JAY SD1 A#GF
8EXCEPT ,I DON'T H A HELMET4 ,OR A
/ICK40
8,I'VE GOT TONS ( T /UFF10 ,ALEX SD4
8,S
-----------------------------------#GG
WE'LL PICK Y UP AB "O O'C1 OKAY8 ,MY
DAD'S DRIV+40
8,S.DS GRT10 ,JAY SD1 8B HANG ON A
SECOND40
,HE COV]$ ! M\?PIECE (! PORTA# PH"O
) 8 H&1 LOOK$ AT 8 MOM & DAD1 & SD1
8,ALEX IS 9 MY HOMEROOM1 & HE WANTS ME
6G SKAT+ ) HM TM AB "O O'C--IS T
OKAY80
,8 MOM SD1 8,:AT AB YR SOCIAL /UDIES
REPORT8 ,I LOOK$ AT T ASSIGN;T1 & Y
DIDN'T GET M* D"O ? AFN4 ,I ?9K Y'D
BETT] N40
8,B X'S N DUE UNTIL ,W$NES"D1 ,MOM40
,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,SUN"D AFN IS =
HOME"W--Y "K T4 ,& T REPORT'S NO": NE>
D"O40
,JAY TURN$ AWAY F ! TA# & TALK$ QKLY
96! PH"O4 8,LI/51 ,ALEX1 ,I'LL CALL Y
BACK 9 AB FIVE M9UTES1 OKAY80 A#GG
8,SURE10 HE SD4 8,TALK 6Y LAT]4
,BYE40
8,BYE40 ,JAY PU%$ ! (F BUTTON & PUT
! PH"O ON ! TA#4
,8 MOM %OOK H] H1D4 8,I AM N *ANG+
MY M9D1 S Y C CALL T BOY BACK "R N[40
,JAY KNEW T T"O ( VOICE4 8,F9E10 HE
SNAPP$1 & HE PU%$ BACK F ! TA#1 GRA2$
!
-----------------------------------#GH
PH"O1 /OMP$ UP 6HIS ROOM1 & SLAMM$ !
DOOR4 ,HE FLOPP$ ONTO 8 B$ & 0 ALL SET
6CALL ,ALEX BACK1 :5 ,RAY BUR/ 96!
ROOM & GRA2$ ! PH"O \ ( 8 H&S4
8,:AT >E Y DO+80 ,JAY SD4
,RAY SAT ON ! $GE (! B$4 8,LI/510 HE
SD1 8,I "K ? /9KS = Y1 B ,I ASK$ ,MOM
IF ,I CD G SKAT+ ) ,ALEX4 ,9/1D ( Y4
,S9CE ,I'M ALL CAU$ AT 8
BRO!R4 8.,Y8 ,HE 9VIT$ .ME 6G SKAT+1 N
Y4 ,&! ONLY R1SON Y DON'T H #GI
HOME"W IS 2C .,I'M ! "O :O'S A#GH
RE,Y GO+ 6S*OOL40
8,DON'T 2 /UPID10 ,RAY SD4 8,:O
TALK$ AB HOCKEY ) ,ALEX ALL "?
HOMEROOM ON ,?URS"D8 ,ME4 ,S HE'S ASK+
.ME 6G SKAT+ J Z M* Z HE'S ASK+ Y4 ,&
TM1 ALL ,I H 6D IS MEET ,ALEX AT 8 C>
\ 9 ! DRIVEWAY4 ,Y /AY \ ( SIE40
,JAY WANT$ 6GRAB ! PH"O BACK F ,RAY
& /UFF X UP 8 LEFT NO/RIL4 ,B !N A
BETT] IDEA POPP$ 96HIS M9D4
-----------------------------------#GI
8,Y "K :AT8 ,"H'S H[ X'S GONNA "W3
.,Y PRET5D 6BE ME & Y /AY "H & D
HOME"W4 ,& Z F> Z ,MOM'S 3C]N$1 X'LL 2
.Y GO+ 6! ICE R9K4 ,EXCEPT X'LL 2 ME4
,& X'S FAIR 2C .,I'M ! "O :O /AY$ 9 !
H\SE ALL AFN :ILE Y W5T & PLAY$
BASEBALL TD4 ,S TM .,I GET 6G SKAT+--&
T'S ! ONLY WAY T'S FAIR4 ,"R80
,RAY DIDN'T ANSW]4
8.,"R80 ,JAY SD4 ,L\D]4
8,F9E10 SD ,RAY1 8 TEE? CL5*$4 ,HE
:IPP$ ! PH"O AT ,JAY'S LEG4 8,I A#GI
HOPE Y H A ROTT5 "T40 ,& HE GOT UP &
/OMP$ \ ( _! ROOM4
,Z ,JAY PICK$ ! PH"O UP (F ! FLOOR1
8 LEG HURT A LL4 ,B HE DIDN'T C>E "O
BIT1 2C .HE 0 GO+ SKAT+4
,X RE,Y 0 ! FAIRE/ SOLU;N1 & ,RAY
KNEW T1 S 0B$"T ON ,SATUR"D1 HE & ,JAY
7 ON SP1K+ T]MS AG4 ,& 0,SUN"D AFN1 !Y
_H ! SWIT* ALL SET4
,JAY 0 WE>+ ,RAY'S R$ HOODIE AG1
PLUS 8 ,C>D9ALS HAT--! SAME \TFIT HE'D
WORN 6! MALL ON ,FRI"D NI+ "O ( ,JAY'S BLUE %IRTS &A PAIR (
8 J1NS4 ,JAY _H AL
-----------------------------------#HJ
MADE SURE 6GRAB ! SKATES T 7 M>K$ )
,RAY'S 9ITIALS4
,A FEW M9UTES 2F "O1 ,JAY 0 WAIT+ 0!
FRONT DOOR )! SKATES1 & ,RAY 0 /&+ (F
9 ! DOORWAY (! D9+ ROOM4
8,LI/510 ,RAY SD1 8BE SURE 6ASK
,ALEX H[ 6D CROSSOV]S--Y / DON'T D T
"R1 & X RE,Y HELPS Y BUILD UP #HA
SPE$40 A#HJ
,JAY NO4$ & SD1 8,Y1H1 ,I'LL ASK HM4
,& NEXT "T WE'LL BO? G ) HM40 ,: 0 A V
NICE ?+ 6SAY 6A BRO!R :O _H 6/AY HOME4
,A HORN HONK$ F ! CURB1 & ,JAY YELL$
\1 8,!Y'RE "H--,I'M GO+ N[40
,8 DAD MUT$ ! BASEBALL GAME & CALL$
F ! LIV+ ROOM1 8,H A GD "T1 & 2 SURE
6PAY = YR [N ADMIS.N1 OKAY80
,JAY PULL$ ! DOOR OP54 8,I W1 ,DAD40
,MOM CALL$ F ! UP/AIRS (FICE1 8,WAIT
A SECOND1 H"OY1 ,I'M -+ D[N40
,%E CAME & LOOK$ \ "? ! SCRE5 DOOR1
!N WAV$ T[>D ! C>4 8,Y 2 A GD GUE/1
ALL "R8 ,& NO R\< /UFF40
,JAY SD1 8,I "K1 ,MOM1 ,I "K10 & HE
PU%$ ! SCRE5 DOOR OP5 6L1VE4
,RAY SD1 8,SEE Y1 ,RAY10 & TURN$
6WALK UP/AIRS4 ,6D HOME"W4
-----------------------------------#HA
,)\T LOOK+ BACK1 ,JAY SD1 8,LAT]1
,JAY10 & />T$ \ ! DOOR4
8,OH--,RAY80 8 MOM SD4 8,BE SURE--0
,B %E DIDN'T F9I% T S5T;E4
,2C Z %E SD ! "N 8,RAY10 BO? BOYS
TURN$ _! H1DS 6H] & SD1 8,:AT80 A#HA
,9 UNISON4
,%E LOOK$ F "O BOY 6! O!R1 & !N
BACK4 ,!N H] EYES FLA%$1 & %E GRA2$
,JAY 0! >M & PULL$ HM BACK 96! FRONT
HALLWAY4
8,V CUTE10 %E SD4
,JAY LOOK$ SURPRIS$4 8,:AT80 HE SD4
8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80
,%E GL>$ AT ,JAY4 8,D WE NE$ 6D !
FRECKLE-*ECK "H80 ,TURN+ 6! BOY 0!
/AIRS1 %E SD1 8,D WE--.,RAY80
,"! 0 NO WAY \4 ,_! MOM KNEW !Y _H
TRI$ 6TRICK H]1 & T 0 T4
,S ,RAY IMMLY SD1 8,I 0 J TRY+ 6BE
NICE1 ,MOM4 ,2C ,JAY DIDN'T GET 6PLAY
BASEBALL YE/]"D4 ,& ,I WANT$ 6HELP ) 8
REPORT40
,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,NO4 ,JAY HAS 6/AY
& D 8 [N "W40
,RAY SD1 8,B ''' L1 ,I C / G1 "R8
,PL1SE80
-----------------------------------#HB
,%E PAUS$ A SECOND1 !N SD1 8,YES1 B
ONLY 2C ,I'M SURE ,ALEX'S "F _H #HC
6DRIVE \ ( 8 WAY 6-E PICK Y UP4 A#HB
,B BO? ( Y C C.T ON HE>+ M AB ?4
,N[--,RAY1 GET GO+4 ,& ,JAY1 UP/AIRS40
,S ,JAY TOOK (F ! ,C>D9ALS HAT1 H&$
,RAY 8 [N SKATES1 PEEL$ (F ,RAY'S R$
SW1T%IRT & GAVE X 6HM1 & W5T UP/AIRS4
,6"W ON ! SOCIAL /UDIES REPORT4
,&A SECOND LAT] HE HE>D ! SCRE5 DOOR
SLAM4
,B Z ,JAY W5T 96HIS ROOM1 SAT D[N AT
8 DESK1 & FLIPP$ 8 NOTEBOOK OP51 HE
WASN'T MAD AT ,RAY = TAK+ 8 PLACE AT !
LA/ SECOND4 ,ALEX WANT$ 6SKATE )A FR4
,& ,RAY 0 AN EXCELL5T SKAT]4 ,!Y'D BO?
H A GD "T4
,/1 Z ,JAY />$ AT ! ASSIGN;T %EET &
LOOK$ AT ! DUE DATE AG1 HE R1LIZ$ T AF
HE DID A GRT JOB ON ? REPORT1 :O WD 2
TURN+ X 9 ON ,W$NES"D8 ,RAY4
,2C ,W$NES"D 0 N GO+ 6BE A ,JAY "D
AT S*OOL4 ,W$NES"D 0 GO+ 6BE A ,RAY
"D4
,& 6,JAY1 X 0 />T+ 6FEEL L E "D 0 A
,RAY "D4
,& X DIDN'T FEEL GD4 ,9 FACT1 X FELT
A LL L ''' DESPAIR4 B#HB
-----------------------------------#HC
,,*APT] #AC
,,TOP ,,SECRET
,ON ,MON"D MORN+ ,RAY DRA7$ ,JAY \ (
8 B$ AT SEV5 ?IRTY1 & !N HURRI$ HM
AL;G S !Y CD L1VE TGR = S*OOL TW5TY
M9UTES E>LY4 ,: ,JAY DIDN'T L4 ,T M1NT
.HE _H 6HIDE \ T M* L;G] 9 ! C>DBO>D
IGLOO 9 ! G>AGE4 ,AT L1/ ,JAY WDN'T H
6LI/5 6,RAY TELL HM AG H[ M* FUN !
SKAT+ _H BE54 ,2C ,JAY 0 F$ UP ) "EY?+
T ,RAY _H 6SAY4 ,AB ANY?+4
,B ,RAY DIDN'T C>E :AT ,JAY ?"\4
,RAY 0 A MAN )A ,MON"D MORN+ MIS.N4
,HE _H 6F9D ,MELISSA 2F HOMEROOM & !N
TRY 6REPAIR ! DAMAGE ,JAY _H D"O DUR+
SCI;E CLASS ON ,FRI"D4
,RAY GOT 6S*OOL 2F ! BUSES1 & HE
TOOK A POSI;N 9SIDE ! WIDE FRONT DOORS
(! S*OOL4 ,HE _H A CLE> VIEW (! :OLE
UNLOAD+ >EA4
#HE
,SPOTT+ ,MELISSA 0 EASY4 ,%E #HD
CAME D[N ! /EPS ( BUS NUMB] ?REE1 A
S(T BLUE HAT & SC>F FRAM+ H] FACE4 ,&
:5 ,RAY SAW H] SMILE AT A FR1 HE
REMEMB]$ H[ X _H FELT 6H T SMILE AIM$
8 WAY4
,9 A4I;N 62+ PRETTY1 ,MELISSA 0
APP>5TLY POPUL>4 ,! MO;T %E GOT (F !
BUS1 F\R O!R GIRLS FLOCK$ >.D H]1 &
TGR ! GR\P MADE _! WAY T[>D ,RAY4 ,& Z
!Y CAME "? ! SECOND SET ( GLASS DOORS1
HE WAIT$1 WAIT$1 & !N MADE 8 MOVE1
WALK+ S T HE CROSS$ H] PA?4
8,MELISSA--HI40
,MELISSA TURN$ H] H1D1 SAW :O X WAS1
SMIL$ SLID !
SIX?-GRADE HALL4 8,:Y80 %E ASK$4 8,D Y
''' L MY %IRT80 A#HD
,A C\PLE (! O!R GIRLS GI7L$1 B !
JOKE 0 LO/ ON ,RAY4 ,JAY _H N %>$ !
FULL DETAILS ( 8 DESP]ATE ATTEMPT 6*AT
) ? GIRL ON ,FRI"D4
--------------------------------#HE-HF
,RAY %OOK 8 H1D & SD1 8,NO1 X'S J T
''' WELL1 X'S SORT ( ''' SAD4 ,EXCEPT1
,I DON'T "K IF Y C KEEP A SECRET40
,RAY 0 US+ 8 VA/ EXP]I;E ) GIRLS4
,2C HE _H 4COV]$ T FEW GIRLS C RESI/
HE>+ AB "S?+ T MIN "S
PRIVATE 9=M,N4 ,& -B9+ ^! ELE;TS 0 A
GU>ANTE$ GIRL-/OPP]4
,& SURE 5\<1 ,MELISSA /OPP$ WALK+ &
TURN$ 6LOOK AT ,RAY ) RENEW$ 9T]E/4
,RAY LOOK$ AT ,MELISSA'S FRS1 & !N
AT ! FLOOR4
,MELISSA GOT ! MESSAGE4
8,LI/51 GUYS10 %E SD1 8,I'LL SEE Y 9
HOMEROOM1 OKAY80 ,&! GR\P MOV$ ON1
:ISP]+ 6"O ANO!R & PEEK+ BACK OV] _!
%\LD]S AT ,RAY4
,MELISSA /OOD FAC+ ,RAY NEXT #HG
6! LOCK]S J 9SIDE ! SIX?-GRADE A#HF
HALL4 ,RAY CD SEE ! "QS "! 9 H]
EYES--: 7 A NICE GRE5I% GRAY COLOR4
,N[ CAME ! TRICKY "P4 ,2C ,RAY _H NO
IDEA :AT HE 0 GO+ 6SAY 6,MELISSA4
,"S QK ID1S POPP$ 96HIS H1D4 ..,I CD
SAY ,I FELL ONTO MY H1D ,FRI"D MORN+1
& T'S :Y
-----------------------------------#HG
,I ACT$ S GO(Y 9 SCI;E CLASS4 ,OR '''
,I CD SAY "S"TS ,I J GET FLU/]$ :5 ,I
TALK 6GIRLS1 ESPECI,Y RE,Y CUTE "OS--T
S.DS GD4 ,OR ,I CD SAY T MY PET HAM/]
DI$ ,FRI"D MORN+1 & ,I 0 A MESS ALL "D
''' B ,I DIDN'T WANT ANY"O 6"K ,I 0
UPSET1 2C T MID A#HH
6R1D--4BELIEF1 FASC9,N1 3FU.N4 ,B
MO/LY FASC9,N4 ,2C ! GIRL _H AN
IMAG9,N4 ,%E DIDN'T 2LIEVE :AT ,RAY 0
SAY+1 B %E 0 WILL+ 6BE 3V9C$4
,%E SD1 8,S ''' L1 "O ( Y /AYS HOME8
,E S*OOL "D80
,RAY NO4$4 ,!N HE EXPLA9$ AB US+ _!
HIDE\T 9 ! G>AGE4 8,& AF MY FOLKS L1VE
= "W1 ! GUY AT HOME J GOES BACK 96!
H\SE4 ,GRABS "S FOOD1 WAT*ES A MOVIE1
SLEEPS1 R1DS--Y "K1 /AY-AT-HOME /UFF40
,MELISSA WR9KL$ H] NOSE4 8,Y'RE J
MAK+ ALL ? UP4 ,I M1N1 ,I CD TELL Y !
SAME /ORY1 T .,I H A TW9 SI/]4 ,"ND
,CL>ISSA4 ,& .%E'S ! "O :O ?"\ Y 7 '''
LAME4 ,ON ,FRI"D40
8,WELL1 Y1H1 Y CD SAY ! SAME ?+10
,RAY
-----------------------------------#HI
SD4 8,B1 C'MON1 Y TALK$ 6,JAY1 "R8 ,&
N[ Y'RE TALK+ 6ME1 ,RAY40 ,HE GAVE H]
8 B"RE/1 MO/ *>M+ SMILE4 8,Y C TELL T
,I'M N ! SAME Z HM1 C'T Y8 ,EXCEPT =!
WAY ,I LOOK1 ,I M1N40
,MELISSA LOOK$ 96,RAY'S FACE1 A#HI
SAW 8 QUIET1 3FID5T SMILE1 SAW HM MEET
H] "Q+ GAZE )\T A TRACE ( ANXIETY4 ,&
,RAY CD SEE ! *ANGE 9 H] EYES4 ,2C %E
CD TELL4 ,%E .KNEW HE WASN'T ,JAY4 ,AT
ALL4
,ALM :ISP]+1 %E SD1 8,S Y ''' Y RE,Y
.>E TW9S4 ,&! O!R "O--,JAY8 ,HE'S AT
HOME1 "R8 ,HID+ \4 ,T IS S .COOL60
,RAY NO4$1 8,Y1H1 ,I "K4 ,EXCEPT Y H
6KEEP ? A TOTAL SECRET1 OKAY8 ,I M1N1
L1 -PLETELY4 ,WE'RE N TELL+ ! S*OOL AB
X UNTIL ,FRI"D4 ,& WE'RE GONNA GET 9
"S R1L TR\# AB ?4 ,B WE _H 6TRY X \1
6SEE :AT X WD 2 L 6BE ON \R [N1 9/1D (
ALW 2+ TW9S4 ,WE _H TO40
,Z ,RAY TALK$1 ! LOOK ON ,MELISSA'S
FACE KEPT *ANG+4 ,2C N[ %E 0 AL WORRI$
= HM4 ,AB ! TR\#4 ,& "! 0 AL A TRACE (
ADMIR,N1 2C ! DANG] MADE ,RAY SEEM L
SORT ( AN \TLAW1 A REBEL1 A RISK TAK]4
,& T T\* ( ADV5TURE 0 IRRESI/I#4
-----------------------------------#IJ
,RAY SAW ALL ( ? 9 H] FACE1 & X BR"\
\ ! ACTOR 9 HM4 #IA
,)A F>AWAY LOOK 9 8 EYES1 HE A#IJ
SD1 8,Y1H1 WE'RE MAK+ E "D C.T4 ,2C !
HAMM]'S GONNA -E D[N ON U PRETTY H>D40
,MELISSA'S EYES 7 WIDE4 8,Y'D BETT]
2 C>E;L10 %E :ISP]$4
,RAY PAUS$ DRAMATIC,Y1 SE>*+ H]
EYES4 ,& HE SD1 8,B ,I C TRU/ Y1 "R80
,%E NO4$4 8,YES4 ,YES1 Y C40
8,GD10 ,RAY SD4 8,LI/51 ,I'LL SEE Y
9 SCI;E1 OKAY8 ,& MAYBE AT LUN*"T1
TOO40
,%E NO4$4 8,AT LUN*"T1 TOO40
8,GD4 ,SEE Y LAT]1 ,MELISSA40
8,SEE Y ''' ,JAY40 ,& %E GAVE ,RAY
"O ( H] MILLION-DOLL> SMILES4
,WALK+ T[>D 8 HOMEROOM1 ,RAY FELT L
HE 0 ! K+ ( ,OHIO4
,AT ! />T ( MA? CLASS FIFTE5 M9UTES
LAT]1 ,RAY SPOTT$ ! GIRL ,JAY _H TOLD
HM AB4 ,& DUR+ ATT5D.E HE LE>N$ H]
"N--,JULIE ,P>KMAN4 ,RAY DIDN'T ?9K %E
0 ANY": NE> Z CUTE Z ,MELISSA1 B HE
SMIL$ AT H] ANYWAY1 & HE GOT A *.E
6TALK ) H] AF CLASS4 ,& ,RAY 0 FRLY )
H]--N L .HE WD H BE51 ( C\RSE4 ,HE 0
FRLY ) ,JULIE 9 A B#IJ
-----------------------------------#IA
,JAYI% SORT ( WAY--A LL /IFF1 SORT (
RES]V$1 K9D ( UNSURE ( HMF4 ,2C ,RAY
DIDN'T WANT 6SPOIL ?+S = ,JAY 0HAV+ ?
GIRL ?9K T ,JAY 0 GO+ 6BE L HM4 ,2C .T
WASN'T GONNA HAPP54
,& Z ,RAY SD1 8,WELL1 SEE Y LAT]10
6,JULIE1 HE WASN'T WORRI$ AB ,MELISSA
F9D+ \ T HE'D BE5 TALK+ 6"S O!R GIRL1
N AT ALL4 ,2C N[ HE CD EXPLA9 T HE
TALK$ 6H] J 6BE NICE 6HIS BRO!R4 ,: 0
TRUE4
,Z ,RAY H1D$ D[N ! HALL 6! MUSIC
ROOM1 HE / FELT L ! K+ ( ,OHIO1 PLUS
HE FELT L HE CD H WON ! ,BO/ON
,M>A?ON4 ,& !N CLIMB$ ,M.T ,"EE/4
,RAY SANG 8 HE>T \ DUR+ MUSIC CLASS1
& :5 ,MR4 ,P>NELL ASK$ = VOLUNTE]S
6JO9 ! SIX?-GRADE *ORUS1 ,RAY 0 ! F/
BOY 6RAISE 8 H&4 ,HE FELT L HE CD H
/OOD UP & SUNG A SOLO "R !N & "!4
,9 FACT1 ,RAY'S :OLE "D 0 GRT1
ESPECI,Y ! QUIET TALK HE _H ) ,MELISSA
NEXT 6! F\RSQU>E C\RTS DUR+ LUN* #IC
RECESS1 & D\#-ESPECI,Y ! "T HE A#IA
SP5T SITT+ NEXT 6H] DUR+ SCI;E CLASS4
,& EV5 DUR+ SO3] PRACTICE AF S*OOL1
,RAY FELT T]RIFIC4 ,HE DID 8 BE/
6PRET5D T
-----------------------------------#IB
SO3] WASN'T J A LOT ( SEMIPO9T.S RUNN+
>.D ON A BIG FIELD4 ,HE RAN H>D & TRI$
6LOOK L HE KNEW :AT HE 0 DO+4 ,HE EV5
SCRAP$ UP 8 KNEE Z HE MADE A SLID+
TACKLE DUR+ SCRIMMAGE1 & DIDN'T -PLA9
AB X 6ANY"O4 ,& ,RAY DID ALL T
EXTRA-H>D "W AT SO3] PRACTICE = ,JAY'S
SAKE1 \ ( GRATITUDE4
,2C IF ,JAY _HN'T BE5 A -PLETE DO(US
) ,MELISSA ON ,FRI"D1 !N ,RAY WDN'T H
_H 6TELL H] ! TRU? ON ,MON"D MORN+4 ,&
TELL+ H] ! TRU? _H MADE ,RAY FEEL S
GD4 ,X _H MADE ,MELISSA FEEL GD TOO1
6BE TRU/$ L T4
,& EV5 ?\< ,MELISSA 0 J "O P]SON \ (
S _M O!RS AT ! S*OOL1 ) H] "K+ 8
SECRET1 ,RAY FELT M* M L HMF ALL "D
L;G--EV5 :5 KIDS CALL$ HM ,JAY4
,2C ,MELISSA ,ROLL9S .KNEW :O HE
WAS4 ,%E KNEW X4 A#IB
,& %E DEF9ITELY LIK$ HM--.HM1 ,RAY
,GRAYSON4
-----------------------------------#IC
,,*APT] #AD
,,N ,,S ,,SECRET
,0LUN*"T ON ,MON"D1 ,MELISSA 0 HAV+
TR\#4 ,&! TR\# 0 ? SECRET %E KNEW4 ,2C
,JAY WASN'T ,JAY AT ALL1 N TD4 ,HE 0
,JAY'S TW9 BRO!R1 ,RAY4 ,& ACTU,Y1
,RAY 0 ! BOY %E'D />T$ 6GET A CRU% ON
WAY BACK ON ,?URS"D4 ,2C .T "D1 ,JAY
_H RE,Y BE5 ,RAY4 ,S "! WASN'T J "O
CUTE NEW BOY AT ,TAFT ,ELE;T>Y1 "! 7
.TWO1 & !Y 7 EXACTLY ALIKE4 ,& 6BE !
ONLY O!R P]SON 9 ! :OLE S*OOL :O KNEW
AB ?8 ,X 0 L NO SECRET ,MELISSA _H "E
"KN 2F4 ,& %E 0 DY+ 6TELL "S"O4
,ANY"O4
,EXCEPT ''' %E _H PROMIS$ ,RAY %E WD
KEEP ! SECRET4 ,& %E RE,Y WANT$ TO4
,%E DID4 ,RE,Y4
,B = ,MELISSA1 ? SECRET 0 L T
TW5TY-DOLL> BILL H] AUNT _H GIV5 #IE
H] = H] A#IC
-----------------------------------#ID
BIR?"D4 ,%E KNEW %E %D H TAK5 T M"OY &
TUCK$ X AWAY "S": SAFE1 L ! BANK4 ,B
9/1D1 %E TOOK X "S": ELSE4 ,L1 6!
MALL4
,& TD1 "R N[8 ,! S*OOL CAFET]IA 0 L
! MALL4 ,X 0 ! P]FECT PLACE 6SP5D A
SECRET4 ,S ,MELISSA 2GAN %OPP+ =A PAIR
( E>S4 ,E>S T 2L;G$ 6"S"O %E CD TRU/4
,"S"O :O WASN'T A BLA2]M\?4 ,Z %E
DROPP$ (F H] TRAY AF EAT+1 ,MELISSA
LOOK$ >.D1 & !N WAV$ 6H] FR ,C>OL9E &
MO;N$ T %E %D -E OV]--QK4
,& /&+ AG/ ! WALL "U ! FOOD-GR\PS
PO/]1 ! TWO GIRLS %>$ =TY-FIVE SECONDS
( FURI\S :ISP]+ & NO4+4 ,& :5 X 0 OV]1
,C>OL9E'S M\? 0 HANG+ WIDE OP54 ,2C %E
0 9 ON ! SECRET4 ,%E KNEW T ,JAY _H AN
ID5TICAL TW9 BRO!R "ND ,RAY :O 0 -+
6S*OOL E O!R "D1 & T ^! TWO ADORABLY
CUTE BRO!RS _H ALL ! T1*]S DUP$ 96?9K+
!Y 7 ! SAME KID4 ,&( C\RSE1 ! LA/ ?+
,MELISSA SD WAS1 8,Y H 6PROMISE ME T Y
WON'T TELL ANYBODY1 OKAY8 ,L1 NOBODY4
,PROMISE80 A#ID
,& ,C>OL9E PROMIS$ 6KEEP ! SECRET4
,\TSIDE ON ! PLAYGR.D FIVE M9UTES
LAT]1
-----------------------------------#IE
,C>OL9E SAW ,RAY & ,MELISSA TALK+ NEXT
6! F\RSQU>E C\RTS1 SAW !M NO4+ & SMIL+
AT EA* O!R--& X SEEM$ S ROMANTIC4 ,ALM
DANG]\S4 ,2C T BOY 0 SORT ( L A SPY4
,OR A SECRET AG5T4 ,& SU45LY ,C>OL9E
WI%$ %E CD TELL H] BE/ FR ,BRIANNA AB
?4 ,& T'S :5 ,C>OL9E DECID$ T EV5 ?\<
%E _H PROMIS$ ,MELISSA 6KEEP ! ,RAY &
,JAY ?+ SECRET1 T DIDN'T M1N %E CDN'T
TELL ,BRIANNA4 ,2C ,C>OL9E KNEW %E CD
TRU/ ,BRIANNA4 ,S ON ! WAY BACK 6_!
LOCK]S AF RECESS1 ,BRIANNA HE>D ! :OLE
/ORY4
8,HE HAS A .TW980 ,BRIANNA GASP$4
8,T NEW KID8 ,9 MY MA? CLASS8 ,&! TW9
TOLD ,MELISSA8 ,2C HE .LIKES H]8 ,T'S
S .SWEET1 DON'T Y ?9K8 ,& DON'T WORRY4
,I WON'T TELL .ANY"O4 ,RE,Y4 ,I
PROMISE40
,& ,BRIANNA DIDN'T TELL A S+LE #IG
S\L =A :OLE SEV5 M9UTES4 ,& Z A#IE
,BRIANNA :ISP]$ 6H] FR ,LORI :AT
,C>OL9E _H TOLD H] AB :AT ,MELISSA SD
T ? BOY "ND ,RAY _H TOLD .H]1 DID
,BRIANNA ?9K %E WASN'T KEEP+ ,C>OL9E'S
SECRET8 ,N AT ALL4 ,2C ,BRIANNA KNEW T
,LORI 0 A GIRL :O KNEW H[ 6KEEP H] M\?
%UT4
,& ALL DUR+ SCI;E CLASS1 Z ,MELISSA
&! BOY "KN Z ,JAY SAT AT ! SAME LAB
TA#1 ,BRIANNA
-----------------------------------#IF
& ,LORI KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON !M4 ,&
:5"E ! BOY & ,MELISSA WD :ISP] 6EA*
O!R1 ,BRIANNA & ,LORI WD LOOK AT EA*
O!R )A W9K4 ,OR A NOD4 ,OR A SMILE4
,2C T BOY AT TA# N9E 0 .N :O HE APPE>$
6BE4
,! SECRET NEWS AB ! ,GRAYSON TW9S 0
%>$ ?REE OR F\R M "TS ON ,MON"D AFN4
,& AF S*OOL1 Z BUS NUMB] F\R RUM#D \
(! P>K+ LOT1 A GIRL "ND ,J5NY :ISP]$
6H] BE/ FR ,LEE,ANN1 8,IF Y PROMISE
6KEEP ? A SECRET1 ,I "K "S?+ AB T NEW
KID 9 \R SOCIAL /UDIES CLASS1 ! BOY
"ND ,JAY40 A#IF
,LEE,ANN NO4$ & :ISP]$ BACK1 8,Y
M1N1 H[ HE'S A TW91 & H[ HE & 8 BRO!R
H BE5 TRICK+ ! :OLE S*OOL8 ,I HE>D AB
X F ,C>RIE DUR+ GYM4 ,ISN'T X .AMAZ+80
,& J !N1 ,J5NY GRA2$ ,LEE,ANN'S
%\LD] & PO9T$ \ ! W9D[ AT A BOY WALK+
AL;G ! SIDEWALK ON ,BAK] ,/REET4
8,OOH1 LOOK6 ,LOOK60 %E SD4 8,"R
"!--T'S HM6 ,T'S ! BOY60
,& ,LEE,ANN JUMP$ 6H] FEET & YELL$ \
! BUS W9D[1 8,HI1 ,JAY60
,! BOY J]K$ 8 H1D T[>D ! BUS )A
/>TL$ LOOK1 !N SMIL$ & WAV$4 ,BO?
GIRLS COLLAPS$ ONTO ! BUS S1T 9 A FIT
( GI7LES4
-----------------------------------#IG
,& Z ,J5NY LOOK$ BACK OV] H] %\LD]1
%E :ISP]$1 8,IS T RE,Y ,JAY8 ,OR IS T1
L1 ! .O!R "O80
,LEE,ANN %RU7$4 8,T'S ! ?+--"!'S NO
WAY 6TELL60
,&! GIRLS KEPT ON GI7L+4
#II
,,*APT] #AE #IH
,,RAY;S
,X 0 ,TUES"D AFN1 & Z HE TRUDG$ AL;G
! HALLWAY1 ,JAY 0 WI%+ =A FIRE DRILL4
,OR AN EM]G5CY ALL-S*OOL ASSEMBLY4 ,OR
A SU45 ATTACK ( GIANT MAN-EAT+ ALI5
9SECTS--ANY?+ T MI+ OR ANY?+1 M L A
PEEK "H1 A GL.E "!4 ,& ,JAY WASN'T US$
6T4 ,N UN.S HE 0 HANG+ \ ) ,RAY4 ,:5 !
TWO ( !M 7
-----------------------------------#II
TGR1 X WASN'T UNUSUAL = GIRLS 6NOTICE
!M1 N AT ALL4 ,2C ,JAY KNEW T HE &
,RAY 7 BO? K9D ( GD-LOOK+4 ,HE KNEW T4
,& :5 !Y 7 TGR1 !N ! TW9S ?+ A#II
KICK$ IN4 ,GIRLS NOTIC$4 ,AL;G ) "EY"O
ELSE4
,B ? FELT DI6]5T4 ,L !Y 7 LOOK+ AT
.HM4 ,& EV5 :ISP]+ 6EA* O!R4 ,AB .HM4
,WEIRD4
,S ALL MORN+ ,JAY _H J PUT X \ ( 8
M9D1 _H TRI$ N 6?9K AB X4 ,IF GIRLS
WANT$ 6LOOK AT HM & :ISP] AB HM1 "!
WASN'T M* HE CD D AB X4 ,GIRLS4 ,A
MAJOR MY/]Y4
,AL? ''' ,TUES"D MORN+'S MA? CLASS )
,JULIE ,P>KMAN _H G"O SURPRIS+LY WELL4
,HE _H SD HI 6H] 2F CLASS1 & %E _H
SMIL$ AT HM4 ,& AT ! 5D ( CLASS1 !Y _H
WALK$ HALFWAY 6! >T ROOM TGR4 ,& !Y _H
EV5 TALK$ A LL4 ,MO/LY AB MA?1 B /1 HE
_H BE5 TALK+ 6A GIRL = ALM TWO M9UTES4
,& DUR+ T :OLE "T1 ,JAY _H FELT CALM &
/1DY1 V M* HMF4 ,JULIE _H SEEM$ L AN
EASY GIRL 6TALK TO4 ,NO PRESSURE4
,B ) ,MELISSA X 0 DI6]5T4 ,& Z HE
NE>$ ! SCI;E ROOM1 ,JAY'S >MPITS 7
DAMP & 8 H&S FELT SW1TY TOO4 ,& HE SD
6HMF1 ..,I'LL J H 6PRET5D ,I'M #AJA
L ,RAY1 T'S ALL4 B#II
----------------------------------#AJJ
,SORT ( SMOO? & *>M+4 ,& EASYGO+4 ,L
.,RAY4
,JAY PEEK$ 96! ROOM & SAW T ,MELISSA
_HN'T -E 6CLASS YET4 ,S HE HURRI$ OV]
6TA# NUMB] N9E1 TOOK 8 S1T1 & RUMMAG$
>.D 9 8 BOOK BAG =! HOME"W4 ,B HE
DIDN'T FEEL L ,RAY AT ALL4 ,JAY FELT L
HMF1 AWKW>D & SC>$4
,HE 0 SC>$ 2C HE 0 LACK+ "O
IMPORTANT BIT ( 9=M,N3 ,JAY DIDN'T "K
T ,MELISSA KNEW AB ! SECRET4 ,& ,JAY
DIDN'T "K 2C ,RAY _HN'T TOLD HM4 ,&
,RAY _HN'T TOLD 2C ,RAY FELT PRETTY
SURE T ,JAY WD H GOTT5 MAD AB HM TELL+
"S"O--EV5 "S"O Z CUTE Z ,MELISSA4 ,&
T'S :Y ,RAY _H AL ASK$ ,MELISSA N 6LET
,JAY "K T %E KNEW4 ,AB HM 2+ A TW94
,S Z ,JAY 0 DR1D+ HAV+ 6BE L ,RAY =A
:OLE P]IOD1 ,MELISSA 0 ?RILL$ AB HAV+
A :OLE P]IOD 6GET A CLOSE LOOK AT !
R1L ,JAY ,GRAYSON4 ,&! FACT T HE
DIDN'T "K T %E KNEW :O HE RE,Y WAS8 ,T
0 A P]FECTLY DELICI\S SECRET4
,& ,MELISSA DIDN'T "K T :ILE A#AJJ
%E 0 SITT+ ) ,JAY1 ?REE OR F\R O!R
GIRLS 9 ! SCI;E ROOM 7 AL GO+ 6BE
WAT*+ & LI/5+4 ,SECRETLY4
----------------------------------#AJA
,:5 ,MELISSA CAME RU%+ 9 J Z ! BELL
RANG & SAT D[N NEXT 6HM1 ,JAY / _H NO
IDEA :AT 6D4 ,OR :AT 6SAY4 ,OR H[
6ACT4
.,2 .L .,RAY1 HE TOLD HMF4 .,2 .L
.,RAY4
,S ,JAY PUT A ,RAY-L SMILE ON 8
FACE1 LOOK$ SIDEWAYS AT ,MELISSA1 &
SD1 8,HEY1 H['S X GO+80
,& ,MELISSA ?"\1 ..,HE'S TRY+ 6BE L
8 BRO!R--T IS .S CUTE6 ,S %E GAVE HM A
HUGE SMILE1 & %E SD1 8,GD1 RE,Y GD40
,JAY NO4$ T[>D 8 HOME"W %EET 9 T
(FH&$ WAY HE'D SE5 ,RAY NOD S _M "TS1
& HE SD1 8,PRETTY T\< ASSIGN;T4 ,:AT
DID Y GET =! ?IRD PRO#M80
,MELISSA SMIL$ AT HM AG Z %E PULL$ A
YELL[ ?REE-R+ B9D] F H] BOOK BAG1 OP5$
X ON ! DESK1 FLIPP$ 6! DIVID] M>K$
,,HOME"W1 TURN$ ?REE OR F\R #AJC
PAGES1 !N RAN H] 9DEX F+] D[N A#AJA
! "W%EET4 ,& %E SD1 8,NITROG51 "R8 ,2C
(! FIVE ELECTRONS40
,JAY />$ AT ,MELISSA'S F+]NAIL1
-PLETELY 4TRACT$ 0! REMA9S ( "S
HOT-P9K NAIL POLI%4 ,B HE MANAG$ 6SAY1
8,Y1H1 NITROG54 ,T'S :AT ,I GOT TOO40
,& HE SD X L ,RAY WD H SD X--OR ! WAY
HE IMAG9$ ,RAY WD H SD X4
,& AG1 ,MELISSA GAVE HM A RE,Y BIG
SMILE4
----------------------------------#AJB
,& Z ,JAY SMIL$ BACK1 HE ?"\1 ..,OH
Y1H1 ,I'M NAIL9' ?4 ,I AM WAY
COOL--NO1 .,I'M ,RAY .COOL4
,SCI;E CLASS W5T ZIPP+ AL;G 9 A
*E];L BLUR1 & ,JAY _H N"E _H S M* FUN
TALK+ )A GIRL 9 8 LIFE4 ,HE FELT L HE
SORT ( _H AN ACTUAL GIRLFR4 ,& Z !Y
2GAN "W ON ! NEW LAB ASSIGN;T1 ,JAY
RELAX$4 ,HE 0 SMOO?1 AT EASE1 FUNNY1 &
V *>M+4 ,V ,RAY4 ,& ,MELISSA8 ,Z F> Z
,JAY CD TELL1 ! GIRL 0 EAT+ X UP4 ,)A
SPOON4 ,%E CDN'T /OP SMIL+ AT HM4 ,&!
M ,JAY TRI$ 6BE L ,RAY1 ! M %E SMIL$4
,JAY _H 6ADMIT T ,MELISSA A#AJB
SEEM$ A LOT CUT] TD ?AN HE'D ?"\ %E 0
ON ,FRI"D4 ,B / NO": NE> Z CUTE Z
,JULIE ,P>KMAN4 ,B "! WD 2 "T = H]4
,2C ? LL ADV5TURE 9 ,RAY;S 0 GIV+ ,JAY
ALL K9DS ( ID1S4 ,X 0 SU45LY OBVI\S T
HE CD 2 M* COOL] & SMOO!R ?AN HE _H "E
IMAG9$ POSSI#4 ,JAY ?"\1 ..,:5 X -ES
6GIRLS1 ,JAY IS ! NEW ,RAY--NEW &
IMPROV$4 ,&! S*OOL YE> IS J .2G9N+6
,:5 SCI;E CLASS 5D$1 ,JAY SMIL$ AT
,MELISSA & SD1 8,SEE Y TM40 ,& HE WI%$
T 7 TRUE4 ,B X WASN'T4 ,2C TM1 ! O!R
,JAY WD 2 SITT+ AT TA# N9E4
,/1 Z HE WALK$ \ 96! CR[D$ HALLWAY
----------------------------------#AJC
& CAUD 6SO3]
PRACTICE AF S*OOL4 ,HE CDN'T WAIT 6%[
,JAMES H[ ! .R1L ,JAY ,GRAYSON PLAY$ !
GAME4
#AJE
,,*APT] #AF #AJD
,,! ,,LL ,,?+S
,DUR+ 8 SECOND LAP >.D ! BIG OVAL
TRACK 2H ! S*OOL1 ,JAY REMEMB]$
EXACTLY :Y HE _H N"E WANT$ 6BE ON A
SO3] T1M3 TOO M* RUNN+--.WAY TOO M*4
,B /1 HE FELT L HE 0 DO+ OKAY4 ,HE 0
HAV+ NO TR\# KEEP+ UP ) ,JAMES4 ..,N
BAD = MY F/ .PRACTICE1 ,JAY TOLD HMF4
,! TWO ( !M 7 ACTU,Y L1D+ ! PACK1 A
GD ?IRTY Y>DS \ 9 FRONT (! RE/ (!
GUYS1 & T MADE ,JAY FEEL GD TOO4 ,2C
:5 X CAME 6SPORTS1 HE DIDN'T H 6TRY
6BE L ,RAY4 ,RAY _H 6TRY 6BE L HM4
,DUR+ ! F/ LAP1 HE & ,JAMES _H TALK$
A LL Z !Y JO7$1 MO/LY AB BASEBALL4
,JAMES 0 A BIG ,CLEVEL& ,9DIANS FAN1 &
,JAY LIK$ ! ,COLORADO ,ROCKIES1 & NEI
T1M 0 EV5 9 ! WILD-C>D RACE4 ,S !Y'D
_H FUN -P>+
------------------------------#AJE-AJF
BE/ & WOR/ PIT*]S1 !N BE/ & WOR/
BATT]S1 !N BE/ & WOR/ P5NANT RACES ALL
>.D BO? L1GUES4 ,! 3V]S,N W5T BACK &
=? UNTIL !Y 2GAN 6NE$ ALL _! A#AJF
AIR = RUNN+4 ,&! SECOND TRIP >.D !
TRACK 0 MO/LY QUIET4
,B Z !Y 2GAN ! ?IRD LAP1 ,JAMES
LOOK$ OV] AT ,JAY & SD1 8,H['S YR
KNEE80
8,MY KNEE80
8,Y1H10 ,JAMES SD1 8F T SCRAPE
YE/]"D4 ,Y 7 RE,Y LIMP+ =A :ILE4
,LOOK$ BAD--BLOOD ON YR SOCK & "EY?+8
,?"\ Y'D H X TAP$ UP TD40
8,OH--T10 ,JAY SD1 & HE PRET5D$
6BR1! ) EXTRA EF=T = FIVE OR T5
SECONDS1 GIV+ HMF "T 6?9K4 ,!N HE SD1
8,WASN'T Z BAD Z X LOOK$4 ,& /UFF L T8
,I H1L UP RE,Y FA/4 ,ALM C'T SEE X
N[40
,JAMES GL.ED AT HM AG & NO4$1 B HE
DIDN'T REPLY4
,ANO!R ?IRTY Y>DS OR S B\NC$ BY1 &
!N ,JAMES SD1 8,Y MET MY LL BRO!RS
YET80
,JAY SD1 8,NOPE--J MOV$ "H1
REMEMB]80
,JAMES SD1 8,?"\ Y MI.D S*OOL4 ,!Y LOOK B#AJF
A LOT L ME4 ,ROB]T & ,$W>D4 ,!Y'RE
TW9S1 -PLETELY ID5TICAL40
----------------------------------#AJG
,JAY J]K$ 8 H1D SIDEWAYS 6LOOK AT
,JAMES & ALM /UM#D4 ,B ,JAMES 0 RUNN+1
EYES /RAI5TS4 ,B ,I ALW "K40
,JAY GL.ED SIDEWAYS AG4 8,H['S T
"W80
8,N SURE10 ,JAMES SD4 8,I C J TELL4
,T !Y'RE DI6]5T4 ,DI6]5T P40
,AF A FEW M /RIDES1 HE A4$1 8,& ,I
SEE A LOT ( LL ?+S4 ',CAUSE ,I'M GD AT
NOTIC+ /UFF4 ,T'S :AT ! >T T1*] SAYS4
,T ,I'M GD AT SEE+4 ,L AN >TI/1 ,I
GUESS40
8,S Y'RE GD AT >T8 ,L1 DRAW+ &
PA9T+80 ,JAY WANT$ 6*ANGE ! SUBJECT4
8,I'M L\SY AT T /UFF10 HE SD4 8,C Y
DRAW FACES8 ,I C N"E DRAW A#AJG
FACES40
,B ,JAMES /AY$ ON 8 PO9T4 8,2C )
,$W>D & ,ROB]T8 ,! ?+ IS1 !Y ONLY
.LOOK ID5TICAL4 ,!Y'RE N RE,Y ! SAME
AT ALL4 ,N IF Y NOTICE LL ?+S4 ,OR EV5
BIG ?+S4 ,L A SCRAP$ KNEE40
,JAY /OPP$ RUNN+1 J /OPP$4 ,& S DID
----------------------------------#AJH
,JAMES4 ,!N !Y /EPP$ (F ! TRACK & /OOD
ON ! GRASS1 PANT+1 :ILE ! O!R TWELVE
GUYS W5T HU6+ PA/4
8,S '''10 ,JAY SD1 8L1 :5 DID Y "K80
,JAMES GR9N$4 8,= SURE8 ,TD1 :5 WE
/>T$ RUNN+4 ,NO SCRAT*ES ON YR KNEE4
,PLUS1 Y'RE A LOT FA/]1 & Y'VE GOT A
:OLE DI6]5T /RIDE4 ,& Y DON'T SW+ YR
ELB[S \ L A *ICK5 :5 Y RUN4 ,: IS :AT
! O!R GUY DOES40
8,HIS "N'S ,RAY10 SD ,JAY4 8,C Y
2LIEVE T8 ,MY P>5TS "ND U ,JAY &
,RAY40
,F ACR ! FIELD A %>P BLA/ F ! COA*'S
:I/LE GOT BO? BOYS BACK ONTO ! TRACK4
,& :ILE !Y F9I%$ ! ?IRD LAP1 #AJI
,JAY TOLD ! :OLE /ORY4 ,& HE A#AJH
MADE ,JAMES PROMISE N 6TELL ANY"O
ELSE4
,Z !Y PULL$ ON "S YELL[ VE/S 6GET
R1DY =A SCRIMMAGE1 ,JAY SD1 8,& LI/51
DON'T TELL ,RAY1 EI1 OKAY8 ',CAUSE HE
DIDN'T WANT 6TRY ? 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,& X
WD J MAKE HM N]V\S IF HE KNEW4 ,T "S"O
ELSE KNEW AB U40
,& ,JAMES SMIL$ & NO4$4 8,NO PRO#M4
,I WON'T TELL HM--Z L;G Z .Y DON'T
TELL MY LL BRO!RS "O ^W AB ?1 OKAY80
,!Y BO? LAU<$ A LL AT T1 !N ,JAMES
----------------------------------#AJI
A4$1 8,X'S RE,Y COOL1 Y'"K1 :AT Y GUYS
>E DO+4 ,IF ,I CD DIT* S*OOL E O!R "D1
,I WD TOT,Y D T40
,JAY NO4$1 & HE WANT$ 6SAY1 ..,B
RE,Y1 T'S N :AT ? IS AB1 L /AY+ HOME
OR TRICK+ "EYBODY4 ,ME & ,RAY1 WE'RE J
TRY+ 6D A FEW ?+S ON \R [N4 ,&! BE/ "P
ISN'T /AY+ HOME4 ,X'S /UFF AT
S*OOL--/UFF L ?1 "R .N[4
,B ,JAY DIDN'T SAY T4 ,2C MO/ KIDS
WDN'T "U/&4 ,X 0 A TW9S ?+4
,S ALL HE SD WAS1 8,Y1H1 B ? A#AJI
:OLE D1L IS WEIRD1 TOO4 ,& :5 X
5DS--:O "KS :AT'LL HAPP58 ',CAUSE AT !
5D ( ? WEEK1 WE'RE /OPP+ X4 ,FRI"D'S
GONNA 2 Q A "D40
,! COA* />T$ CALL+ \ POSI;NS1 S _!
3V]S,N 0 OV]4 ,B T PHRASE /UCK 9
,JAY'S H1D1 & HE SD X AG 6HMF3
..,FRI"D'S GONNA 2 Q A ."D4
,EXCEPT ,JAY 0 WR;G AB T4 ,2C O!R
=CES 7 9 MO;N AT ,TAFT ,ELE;T>Y
,S*OOL4
,& ,JAY & ,RAY _H NO IDEA :AT 0 -+4
,OR :54
,B "S?+ 0 -+4 ,& SOON4
,SOON4
----------------------------------#AAJ
,,*APT] #AG
,,DETEC;N
,! DOOR ( ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF'S ROOM 0 ALW
OP54 ,& "! 0 A SIGN ABV T OP5 DOORWAY3
,,S*OOL ,,NURSE4
,M* SMALL] ?AN A CLASSROOM1 !
NURSE'S (FICE 0 N A FANCY #AAA
PLACE3 *>TS & PO/]S ON ! PA9T$ A#AAJ
YELL[ WALLS1 "O PALE OAK DESK )A ROLL+
*AIR1 ?REE FIL+ CAB9ETS1 "O L[ V9YL
COT1 "O FOLD+ PRIVACY SCRE51 "O SCALE1
& ?REE DI6]5T-SIZE *AIRS = DI6]5T-SIZE
VISITORS4 ,AL1 ! NURSE'S ROOM 0 ! ONLY
(FICE 9 ! S*OOL ) XS [N PRIVATE
BA?ROOM4
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF 0 AN EXCELL5T S*OOL
NURSE1 : M1NS T %E 0 "P "M H51 "P
$UCATOR1 & "P DETECTIVE4 ,& AT "TS %E
AL ACT$ Z A * ADVOCATE1 Z A P>5T-T1*]
>BITRATOR1 & :5 NE$$1 Z A F/ RESPOND]4
,& :5 %E _H TO1 %E CD SUMMON !
----------------------------------#AAA
FULL AU?OR;Y (! ,OHIO ,DE"P;T ( ,H1L?
) "O PH"O CALL4 ,NOBODY MESS$ ) ,EMMA
,C>DIFF1 ,,RN4
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF SP5T A GD "P ( E "D
/&+ \TSIDE H] OP5 DOORWAY1 : 0 AT !
9T]SEC;N (! MA9 HALLWAYS NE> ! 5TR.E
(! S*OOL4 ,%E WAT*$ ! *N >RIVE 9 !
MORN+1 %E WAT*$ !M G 6& F ! CAFET]IA
DUR+ ! LUN* P]IODS1 & %E WAT*$ !M
HURRY HOMEW>D AT ! 5D (! "D4
,IF A * SEEM$ UNUSU,Y ?9 OR A#AAA
ESPECI,Y H1VY1 %E TOOK NOTICE4 ,IF A *
SEEM$ OV]LY TIR$ OR O4LY 5]GETIC1 %E
GOT ON T CASE4 ,IF A * 0 LIMP+ OR
SQU9T+ OR SCRAT*+ OR C\<+1 ! NURSE
LOOK$ 96! MATT]4 ,%E R>ELY MISS$ A
CLUE1 2C %E WANT$ EA* (! KIDS "H 6BE Z
HAPPY & -=TA# Z POSSI#4
,AT ! />T ( E YE> ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF PD
SPECIAL ATT5;N 6! EYES &! E>S (! KIDS4
,%E _H "S /UD5TS ON A 8WAT* LI/0 S %E
CD FOLL[ UP ON !M EA* FALL4 ,%E _H
GOTT5 "S REF]RALS F T1*]S = KIDS :O
MI+ OR VI.N TE/+4 ,& !N "! 7
! TRANSF] KIDS1 ! "OS :O _H MOV$ 96T[N
----------------------------------#AAB
OV] ! SUMM]4 ,^? *N ALW GOT "S SPECIAL
ATT5;N F ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF4
,& T BOX ,JAY _H SE5 9 8 HOMEROOM8
,! "O )! /UD5T FOLD]S--! FOLD]S T ,RAY
?"\ _H BE5 TUCK$ AWAY =! RE/ (! YE>8
,!Y _HN'T BE5 FIL$ AWAY AT ALL4 ,ALL !
BOXES F E GRADE _H BE5 /ACK$ 9 A SMALL
/ORAGE >EA NEXT 6! NURSE'S ROOM4 ,& L
A DETECTIVE HUNT+ = CLUES1 #AAC
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF _H BE5 C>E;LLY A#AAB
"W+ H] WAY "? ^? FILES =! PA/ S"EAL
"DS4
,Z USUAL1 %E _H />T$ )! SIX? GRAD]S1
GLANC+ "? E FILE = NEW H1L? NOTES1 &
%E _H PULL$ \ ! FILES (! KIDS ON H]
SPECIAL WAT* LI/4 ,& %E _H AL SET
ASIDE ! FILES ( ALL ! NEW TRANSF]S4
,!N %E DID T SAME K9D ( SE>* "? !
FILE BOXES = EA* (! O!R GRADES4 ,& :5
%E _H ALL ! FILE FOLD]S %E WANT$
6EXAM9E PULL$ F ! BOXES 96A TALL /ACK
ON H] DESK1 %E 2GAN C>E;LLY R1D+ EA*
FILE AG1 />T+ )! SIX? GRAD]S4
,& T'S :Y ON ,W$NES"D MORN+1 TW5TY
M9UTES 2F ! F/ BUSES >RIV$1 ! S*OOL
NURSE OP5$ UP A ?ICK1 B"R BLUE /UD5T
FOLD] LABEL$1 8,GRAYSON1 ,JAY ,RAY40
----------------------------------#AAC
,LESS ?AN T5 M9UTES LAT]1 ,MRS4
,C>DIFF CALL$ AN EM]G5CY MEET+ )!
PR9CIPAL &) ,JAY'S HOMEROOM T1*]1
,MRS4 ,LANE4
,2C X DIDN'T TAKE A ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES
6SEE T "! 0 "S?+ WR;G )! ,GRAYSON
FILE--V1 V WR;G4 A#AAC
----------------------------------#AAD
,,*APT] #AH
,,! ,,SITU,N
,! PR9CIPAL1 ,MRS4 ,K>5 ,LONSDALE1
SAT 2H H] DESK 9 H] (FICE1 ! ,GRAYSON
FILE OP5 9 FRONT ( H]4 ,%E 0 HOLD+ TWO
SMALL PHOTOGRAPHS1 "O 9 EA* H&4 ,%E
LOOK$ F "O PICTURE 6! O!R1 & !N BACK
AG1 & !N %E GL.ED UP 96! FACE ( ,MRS4
,LANE4 8,& ONLY "O ( ^! BOYS HAS BE5
AT S*OOL8 ,S9CE LA/ ,TUES"D80
,MRS4 ,LANE NO4$4
,LOOK+ AT ! NURSE1 ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE
SD1 8,H Y TRI$ 6R1* ! P>5TS YET80
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF %OOK H] H1D & SD1 8,I
WANT$ 6SP1K ) BO? ( Y F/4 ,"!'S NO?+ 9
! FILE 69DICATE X1 B ? CD 2 A DIVORCE
SITU,N1 & MAYBE "!'S A CU/ODY ISSUE WE
DON'T "K AB4 ,I DON'T SEE ANY RECORD (
EI P>5T ACTU,Y -+ 6! S*OOL YET1 S ,I
DON'T "K :AT 6?9K40
#AAE
,! PR9CIPAL SD1 8,S ''' #AAE-AAF
%D WE CALL ! * WELF>E AG5CY8 ,OR !
POLICE8 ,2C ! "O ?+ WE "K = SURE IS T
WE H A MISS+ *4 ,JAY ,GRAYSON HAS BE5
-+ 6S*OOL =A WEEK N[1 & WE'VE HE>D
NO?+ AB ? O!R BRO!R F ! BOY OR F !
P>5TS4 ,NO NOTE1 NO EXPLAN,N ( ANY
K9D4 ,:AT'S ! O!R *'S "N80
8,RAY10 ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF SD4 8,"O IS
,JAY &! O!R "O'S ,RAY40
,TURN+ 6,MRS4 ,LANE1 ! PR9CIPAL
FR[N$ & SD1 8,:AT ,I WANT 6"K IS1 :Y
DIDN'T Y SPOT ? :5 Y R1D "? YR /UD5T
FILES LA/ WEEK80
,MRS4 ,LANE 0 UPSET4 8,WELL1 ,I '''
,I "K ,I LOOK$ "? ALL ! FOLD]S1 B ,I
DIDN'T RE,Y /UDY E FILE1 & ,I GUESS--0
,! NURSE 9T]RUPT$4 8,I ALM DIDN'T
SPOT X MYF1 ,K>54 ,"O BOY IS "ND ,JAY
,RAY1 &! O!R IS ,RAY ,JAY1 & ALL !
PHOTOS 9 T FILE LOOK EXACTLY ALIKE4
,TWO FILES GOT /U6$ 96AN 5VELOPE 0"S"O
9 ,COLORADO1 & :5 X >RIV$ "H 9 ! MAIL1
X LOOK$ L WE 7 GETT+ "O NEW /UD5T4 ,!
4TRICT SECRET>Y DIDN'T CAT* X1 OR !
4TRICT ATT5D.E (FIC]1 OR \R [N A#AAF
S*OOL SECRET>Y--NO "O CAUE "O
/UD5T %ORT4 ,S ! "Q ISN'T1 ,8,:O %D H
SE5 ?80' ,! "Q IS1 ,8,":'S ! MISS+
BOY80'0
,! PR9CIPAL NO4$ 9 AGREE;T1 & ,JAY'S
HOMEROOM T1*] SMIL$ AT ! NURSE1
GRATE;L =! SUPPORT4
,! PR9CIPAL SD1 8,S AG1 :O %D WE
CALL AB ?80
,MRS4 ,LANE %RU7$4
,N ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF4 ,%E N"E %RU7$4 ,%E
ALW _H A POSITIVE IDEA AB :AT 6D NEXT1
& ? ,GRAYSON BUSI;S 0 NO EXCEP;N4
,%E SAT UP /RAI+ TE/S TD1 S ,I CD
CALL HM 6MY (FICE DUR+ HOMEROOM4 ,!
AUDIOLOGI/ WON'T >RIVE UNTIL LAT]1 B
,I C J TALK ) HM A LL1 9 A #AAG
NON?R1T5+ WAY4 ,& BAS$ ON :AT A#AAG
WE LE>N1 !N ,I SU7E/ T WE CALL !
P>5TS4 ,& IF = "S R1SON ! P>5TS >E N
COOP]ATIVE1 !N WE C 9VOLVE !
AU?ORITIES4 ,DOES T S.D L A GD WAY
=W>D80
----------------------------------#AAH
,! PR9CIPAL &! HOMEROOM T1*] LOOK$
AT EA* O!R1 & BO? NO4$ 9 AGREE;T4
,MRS4 ,LONSDALE /OOD UP1 CLOS$ !
BLUE FILE FOLD]1 & H&$ X ACR H] DESK
6! NURSE4 8,ALL "R1 !N4 ,T'S :AT WE'LL
D4 ,&= N[1 LET'S KEEP ? MATT] 6\RVS1
"U/OOD80
,MRS4 ,LANE & ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF NO4$ AT
! PR9CIPAL & GOT 6_! FEET4 ,ALL ?REE
WOM5 WALK$ 96! MA9 (FICE & !N \ 96!
C5TRAL HALLWAY J Z ! F/ BUSES PULL$ UP
AT ! CURB \ FRONT4
,! S*OOL "D _H 2GUN4
----------------------------------#AAI
,,*APT] #AI
,,TR\# ,,9 ,,TW9SVILLE
,RAY "TD 8 MORN+ WALK P]FECTLY1 & ON
,W$NES"D HE GOT 6S*OOL J Z ! A#AAI
F/ BUSES >RIV$4 ,HE W5T "? ! FRONT
DOORS )A BIG CR[D ( KIDS1 !N WALK$
/RAI WALL1 SCANN+ = FACES AMID !
FL[ ( KIDS4 ,HE 0 LOOK+ = ,MELISSA4
,OR = ,JAMES4 ,HE SAW ,S1N1 B HE
DIDN'T RE,Y WANT 6TALK ) HM4 ,HE WANT$
6TALK 6! KIDS :O KNEW :O HE WAS4 ,!
"OS :O KNEW T HE 0 ,RAY4 ,& HE DIDN'T
SPOT EI ( !M4
,S HE EAS$ BACK 96! H1VY FOOT
TRA6IC1 TURN$ "R1 & %U6L$ AL;G T[>D !
SIX?-GRADE HALL4 ,HE 0 GO+ 6GET
6HOMEROOM E>LI] ?AN USUAL1 B HE / _H
"S ISSUES )! MA? HOME"W1 S ! EXTRA "T
WD 2 GD4
----------------------------------#ABJ
99 99 99
,Z ! F/ BUSLOADS ( KIDS CAME 9SIDE
ON ,W$NES"D1 ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF /OOD NEXT
6! OP5 DOORWAY ( H] (FICE1 WAT*+4 ,%E
_H AN EXCELL5T MEMORY = FACES1 & ALM
IMMLY %E SAW ,JAY ,GRAYSON WALK 9 !
DOOR--A P]FECT MAT* )! #AAI
FIF?-GRADE S*OOL PICTURE 9 8 A#ABJ
/UD5T FOLD]4 ,EXCEPT ? MORN+1 ! BOY _H
A FRE% BRUISE ON 8 "R *EEKB"O4 ,PLUS A
SMALL SCRAPE ON 8 *94 ,! NURSE MADE A
M5TAL NOTE ( ^? PHYSICAL ISSUES4
,! * SEEM$ HESITANT1 Z IF HE WASN'T
SURE : WAY 6G4 ,& HE WASN'T WALK+ )
FRS1 WASN'T TALK+ ) ANY"O1 ACT$ L HE
DIDN'T SEE ! ?REE OR F\R GIRLS :O
SMIL$ 8 WAY4 ,HE /OOD AL"O NE> ! WALL
= AB TW5TY SECONDS1 LOOK+ ? WAY & T1 &
!N TURN$ & WALK$ T[>D ! SIX?-GRADE
HALL4 ..,SEEMS L SORT (A .LON]1 %E
?"\4 ..,MAYBE HE FEELS A LL LO/ )\T 8
.TW94
,RAY SAT D[N 9 HOMEROOM & />T$ TALK+
) ,ALEX ,GRELLMAN4 ,HE 0 A MA? :IZ1 &
,RAY NE$$ HELP4 ,HE'D _H "S TR\# )!
HOME"W AB FACTOR+--: 0 ,JAY'S FAULT1 =
TAK+ S* L\SY NOTES4 ,: 0 2C ALL
----------------------------------#ABA
DUR+ MA? CLASS ON ,TUES"D1 ,JAY _H
KEPT GETT+ 4TRACT$ 0T GIRL HE ?"\ 0 S
SPECIAL--,JULIE ,P>KMAN4
,B ,RAY DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB A#ABA
,JAY4 ,HE 0 GLAD 6BE NO": NE> 8 BRO!R
''' ..! NA/Y LL .RAT1 HE ?"\4 ..,& IF
,I N"E SEE HM AG 9 MY :OLE LIFE8 ,T WD
2 J .F9E4
,& ,RAY FELT T WAY 2C ! PREVI\S NI$ AT 8 BRO!R4 8,Y'RE KI4+1
"R80 #ABA
,JAY %OOK 8 H1D4 8,JAMES HAS B#ABA
TW9 BRO!RS1 F\R? GRAD]S4 ,& HE C ALW
TELL !M A"P4
----------------------------------#ABB
,& :5 WE 7 DO+ \R LAPS AT SO3]
PRACTICE ? AFN8 ,HE SD HE CD TELL T WE
7 DI6]5T4 ,HE J KNEW4 ,ESPECI,Y S9CE Y
DIDN'T TELL ME T Y _H A SCRAPE ON YR
KNEE F YE/]"D4 ,S HE TOOK "O LOOK AT
MY KNEE TD1 !N LOOK$ AT ! WAY ,I RUN1
& HE--0
8,! WAY Y RUN80 ,RAY SD4 8,:AT'S T
M1N80
8,WELL1 HE WAT*$ Y RUNN+ ON ,MON"D10
,JAY SD1 8& Y'RE SL[]4 ,PLUS YR ELB[S
/ICK \ L *ICK5 W+S40
8,NO1 !Y DON'T--.*ICK5 .W+S8 ,JAMES
SD T80
,JAY SD1 8,Y1H1 B N MAK+ FUN1 J
DESCRIB+4 ,S ANYWAY1 HE "KS N[4 ,B
HE'S N GONNA TELL ANY"O4 ,2C HE--0
8,I'M .SL[]80 ,RAY SD4 8,HE ?9KS .,I
RUN SL[] ?AN Y D8 ,HE'S CRAZY40
,JAY SD1 8,S ''' Y'RE OKAY ) X8 ,T
HE "KS AB U80
,RAY %RU7$4 8,SURE4 ,I M1N1 A#ABB
X DOESN'T RE,Y MATT]4 ,"EY"O'S GONNA
"K ON ,FRI"D ANYWAY40 ,HE PAUS$ A
MO;T1 !N A4$1 8,& 2SS1 ,I TOLD
,MELISSA ALL AB "EY?+4 ,ON ,MON"D
MORN+40
,JAY'S M\? DROPP$ OP54 8,Y .:AT80
,RAY SD1 8,I TOLD ,MELISSA4 ,ON
,MON"D4 ,I DIDN'T
----------------------------------#ABC
WANT 6TELL H] A MILLION LIES AB :Y ,I
SEEM$ L S* A -PLETE IDIOT ON ,FRI"D40
8,S--L1 TD80 ,JAY SD1 8,:5 ,I 0 9
CLASS ) H]1 %E .KNEW8 .,TD80
,RAY NO4$1 &A SL[ GR9 SPR1D OV] 8
FACE4 8,Y1H1 ,I CALL$ H] AF S*OOL1
:ILE Y 7 AT SO3]4 ,& %E SD "S (! O!R
GIRLS "K AB U TOO4 ,2C %E TOLD H] FR1
? GIRL "ND ,C>OL9E4 ,& ,MELISSA'S RE,Y
SORRY AB X & "EY?+1 B ,I TOLD H] X'S
NO BIG D1L40 ,RAY PAUS$1 & 8 GR9 GOT
BI7]4 8,& HEY1 GD NEWS--%E SD Y 7 RE,Y
CUTE 9 SCI;E TD1 PRET5D+ 6BE ALL COOL
& SMOO?4 ,L ME40
,JAY SLU7$ ,RAY ON ! %\LD]4 #ABC
8.,T'S = N TELL+ ME SOON]40 A#ABC
,HE PUN*$ ,RAY AG ON ! SAME SPOT1
H>D]4 8,& .T'S = ?9K+ X'S ALL S FUNNY
T "EY"O'S BE5 :ISP]+ & LAU<+ 2H MY
BACK ALL "D4 ,Y & YR /UPID GIRLFR4
,:O'S AB Z CUTE Z A W>THOG40
,! 9SULTS MADE ,RAY CL5* 8 FI/S1 &
HE WANT$ 6HIT BACK1 B ,JAY'S FACE
LOOK$ S R$ & TWI/$ ) ANG] T X /RUCK HM
Z FUNNY4 ,S ,RAY />T$ LAU<+4
,& T'S :5 CIVIL W> BROKE \1 BRO!R
AG/ BRO!R4 ,JAY JUMP$ UP & TACKL$
,RAY1
----------------------------------#ABD
KNOCK+ HM (F 8 *AIR4 ,!Y BO? HIT !
FLOOR1 & "S"O'S LEG CAUK;S4
,0! "T _! DAD _H /OMP$ UP ! /AIRS
6/OP ! FID1 & !Y
------------------------------#ABE-ABF
HELD ! GRIP S L;G T _! DAD SD1 8,ALL
"R1 KNOCK X (F1 BO? ( Y4 ,N[60
,S Z ,RAY SAT 9 HOMEROOM ON
,W$NES"D1 TRY+ 6"U/& :AT ,ALEX EXPLA9$
AB ! FACTOR+ PRO#MS1 N HAV+ A TW9
BRO!R AT ALL WD H BE5 J F9E ) HM4
,AF ! PL$GE1 ! 9T]COM SP1K] CRACKL$
6LIFE1 &A VOICE SD1 8,MRS4 #ABE
,LANE80 A#ABF
8,YES80 %E ANSW]$1 %U%+ ! ROOM ) H]
H&S & EYES4
8,PL1SE S5D ,JAY ,GRAYSON 6! NURSE'S
(FICE "R AWAY =A HE>+ TE/40
8,ALL "R40
8,?ANK Y40 ,&! SP1K] W5T D1D4
,MRS4 ,LANE SD1 8,JAY1 Y %D TAKE YR
?+S ) Y4 ,& DON'T WORRY1 ALL ! NEW
/UD5TS GET _! E>S TE/$ E FALL4 ,D Y "K
": ! NURSE'S (FICE IS80
,RAY 0 ON 8 FEET ALR1 8 BOOK BAG ON
8 %\LD]4 8,NEXT 6! MA9 (FICE80
,MRS4 ,LANE NO4$1 8,T'S "R40
,& ,RAY 0 \ ! DOOR & ON 8 WAY1 A
HAPPY B\NCE 9 8 /EP4
,RAY NORM,Y DIDN'T L GO+ 6! NURSE'S
(FICE4 ,B ?8 ,? 0 GRT4 ,2C IF HE
----------------------------------#ABG
PLAY$ X "R1 HE MIKMAN
GIRL4 ,= 8 /UPID BRO!R4 ,ON ? "PICUL>
MORN+1 A TRIP 6! NURSE 0 GO+ 6BE !
.P]FECT WAY 6/>T ! "D4
,,*APT] #BJ #ABH
,,GAME ,,OV]
,RAY /OOD 9 ! OP5 DOORWAY A SECOND1
SNI6+4 ,HE _H LE>N$ T X 0 ALW GD
6SAMPLE ! AIR QUAL;Y 2F 5T]+ A NURSE'S
(FICE4 ,& AF 9HAL+ A FEW "TS1 HE
DECID$ ! PLACE SMELL$ OKAY4 ,NO ?R[-UP
SMELLS1 NO BA?ROOM ODORS1 ONLY A FA9T
:IFF ( RU2+ ALCOHOL & SOAP4
,S ,RAY KNOCK$ ON ! DOOR1 & 9/ANTLY
! NURSE SD1 8,-E "R IN40
,%E 0 SITT+ AT H] DESK ON 8 "R1 & %E
_H A LAPTOP -PUT] OP5 9 FRONT ( H]4
,%E TURN$ H] H1D1 SMIL$1 & SD1 8,GD
MORN+4 ,Y'RE ,JAY80 ,Z HE NO4$1 %E SD1
8,I'M ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF40 ,%E PO9T$ AT A
*AIR DIRECTLY 2H H]S & SD1 8,PL1SE1
TAKE A S1T4 ,I'LL J 2 A MO;T40
,S ,RAY SLIPP$ 8 BOOK BAG (F 8 %\LD]
& SAT D[N4
----------------------------------#ABI
,HE LOOK$ 6HIS LEFT AT A PO/] AB
PROP] NUTRI;N4 ,NO?+ ( 9T]E/ "!4 ,HE
LOOK$ 6HIS "R AT A PO/] AB #ABG
CORRECT PO/URE1 & IMMLY SAT UP A#ABI
TALL] 9 8 *AIR4 ,!N1 GLANC+ /RAIM RE/$ ON H]
DESK4 ,& "! ON H] DESK1 2S ! LAPTOP1
,RAY SAW "S?+4 ,8 EYES POPP$ WIDE1 8
HE>T SEEM$ 6/OP1 & 8 M9D W5T BLANK )A
%>P JOLT ( ELECTRIC FE>4 ,X 0 A B"R
BLUE FOLD]4 ,! D\#-?ICK /UD5T FILE
,JAY _H DESCRIB$ 6HM1 ! FOLD] ,JAY _H
SE5 9 ,MRS4 ,LANE'S ROOM ON 8 SECOND
"D ( S*OOL4 ,SITT+ "R "!1 "R N[1 F\R
FEET 9 FRONT ( HM4
,RAY PANICK$1 WANT$ 6L1P UP & RUN \
(! NURSE'S (FICE1 RUN \ (! S*OOL1 RUN
ALL ! WAY HOME4 ,B HE SAT "!1 TRY+
6?9K4
..,! BLUE FOLD]4 ,ON ! NURSE'S
DESK--:AT DOES X M1N8
..,HAS %E /UDI$ X8 ,4COV]$ ! TRU?8
..,B IF %E "KS1 :Y IS %E ACT+ L
"EY?+'S .F9E8
,RAY B>ELY _H 8 ?"\S "U 3TROL Z !
NURSE SPUN H] *AIR >.D 6FACE HM4
8,ALL "R1 !N10 %E SD4 ,%E HELD A
PAIR ( L>GE E>PH"OS1 &! CORD 0 B#ABI
PLU7$ 9TO
----------------------------------#ACJ
! -PUT]4 8,F/ ,I WANT 6ADJU/ ! LEVELS
ON ! TE/+ PROGRAM4 ,WE H A SPECIALI/
:O -ES & *ECKS OV] MY RESULTS1 S ,I H
6MAKE SURE ,I D ? "R4 ,! -PUT] DOES
MO/ (! "W4 ,B ,I H 6SET X CORRECTLY4
,I LOVE -PUT]S ^! "DS1 DON'T Y8 ,H[ !Y
C D ALM ANY?+8 ,:Y1 :5 ,I F/ 2CAME A
S*OOL NURSE1 ! HE>+ TE/] 0 ALM Z BIG Z
A WA%+ MA*9E40
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF WASN'T USU,Y ? *ATTY1
B %E WANT$ "T 6GET A GD LOOK AT ,JAY
,GRAYSON4 ,! BOY SEEM$ AGITAT$1 Z IF
HE 0 AFRAID ( "S?+4
,%E H&$ HM ! E>PH"OS & SD1 8,"H1 PUT
^! ON--T'S "R1 J L E>MU6S4 ,N[1 LET ME
WI7LE !M A LL40
,Z %E L1N$ =W>D & ADJU/$ ! H1DPH"OS
6FIT TI.D 8 E>S1 ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF
CD SEE T BRUISE ON 8 *EEKB"O CLE>LY4
,& F EXP]I;E1 %E KNEW :AT %E 0 SEE+4
,^? 7 KNUCKLE M>KS ON ! BOY'S FACE4
,ONLY KNUCKLES LEFT M>KS L T4 #ABI
,N GD4 A#ACJ
,! NURSE PO9T$ & SD1 8,T BRUISE ON
YR FACE1 DOES X HURT80
8,:AT80 ,RAY SD4 ,HE PULL$ !
H1DPH"OS (F 8 "R E>4
----------------------------------#ACA
,! NURSE SD1 8,DOES T BRUISE ON YR
FACE HURT8 ,H['D T HAPP580
8,NO1 X'S F9E4 ,I ''' ,I BANG$ X AG/
MY B$4 ,ON ! BO>D AT ! 5D4 ,2C ,I
SLIPP$4 ,ON A RUG40
8,HMM1 ,I SEE10 SD ! NURSE1 B %E
?"\1 .,T'S .A .LIE4 ,& %E 0 "R4 ,%E
SD1 8,DOES ANY"O 9 YR FAMILY H HE>+
PRO#MS8 ,YR MOM8 ,YR DAD80
,RAY %OOK 8 H1D4
,! NURSE MADE A QK DECI.N4 ,2C A BOY
:O FEELS L HE HAS 6LIE AB A BRUISE ON
8 FACE CD 2 9 R1L DANG]1 & 8 MISS+
BRO!R MIT ( ? CASE4
,%E SD1 8,H[ AB YR BRO!R8 ,DOES HE H
ANY HE>+ PRO#MS80
,RAY TILT$ 8 H1D1 N SURE IF HE _H
HE>D ! "Q "R4
,! NURSE R1*$ OV] & TOOK ! A#ACA
H1DPH"OS (F4 8,I SD1 DOES YR .BRO!R H
ANY HE>+ PRO#MS80
8,M-MY BRO!R80 ,RAY /AMM]$4
8,YES1 ,JAY10 ! NURSE SD1 LOOK+
/RAI$ BACK AT ! NURSE1 & HE SD !
F/
----------------------------------#ACB
?+ T POPP$ 96HIS M9D4 8,I DON'T H A
BRO!R "ND ,RAY40
,: 0 TRUE4
,B LOOK+ 96! NURSE'S FACE1 ,RAY KNEW
T ! GAME 0 OV]4 ,X 0 "T =! TRU?4 ,!
:OLE TRU?4
,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1? & SD1 8,MY
BRO!R'S "N IS ,JAY4 ,2C ,I'M ,RAY1 N
,JAY4 ,I'M ,RAY40
,! NURSE W5T AL;G ) HM4 ,%E NO4$1 B
%E DIDN'T "K :AT 62LIEVE4 ,/1 %E 0
GETT+ ANSW]S1 S %E ASK$ ANO!R "Q4 8,&
": HAS YR BRO!R ,JAY BE5 =! PA/ WEEK80
8,"H AT S*OOL10 ,RAY SD1 8B N E
"D--L1 N TD4 ,WE'VE BE5 TAK+ #ACA
TURNS4 ,TD'S 8 "D 6/AY HOME40 A#ACB
8,& YR P>5TS80 %E ASK$4
,RAY %OOK 8 H1D4 8,!Y DON'T "K AB X4
,AB U /AY+ HOME & /UFF4 ,!Y'RE BO? AT
"W ALL "D40
,! NURSE /OOD UP4 8,/AY "R "H '''
,RAY4 ,9 T *AIR4 ,I'LL 2 BACK 9 A
M9UTE40 ,! NURSE LAID ! H1DPH"OS ON H]
DESK & HURRI$ \ (! ROOM4
,RAY DIDN'T EV5 TURN 8 H1D 6WAT* H]
L1VE4 ,HE KNEW ": %E 0 GO+4 ,%E _H 6BE
----------------------------------#ACC
GO+ 6! (FICE4 ,6GET ! PR9CIPAL4 ,T WD
H 6BE NEXT4 ,! PR9CIPAL4
,B ,RAY WASN'T WORRI$4 ,2C ? 0 !
5DGAME1 &=! PA/ FIVE NIM WAVE ( RELIEF WA% "? 8 M9D4
,X WD ALL 2 OV] QKLY N[1 & SOON LIFE
WD 2 S M* SIMPL]4 ,MAYBE A LL M
ORD9>Y4 ,B ORD9>Y 0 OKAY4 ,ORD9>Y S.D$
GD--EV5 )! TW9 ?+ REVV$ UP 96OV]DRIVE4
,& "! RE,Y WASN'T ANY?+ A#ACC
6WORRY AB N[4 ,2C F ? PO9T ON1 "R 6! V
5D1 ,RAY FELT SURE HE _H FIGUR$ \ ALL
! POSSI# TWI/S & TURNS1 E LA/ "O ( !M4
,NO M SURPRISES4
,B T WASN'T Q TRUE4
----------------------------------#ACD
,,*APT] #BA
,,! ,,5D ,,2G9S
,:5 ! NURSE CAME BACK 6H] (FICE1 S
DID ! PR9CIPAL4 ,& ,RAY WASN'T
SURPRIS$4 ,X ONLY TOOK HM AB F\R
M9UTES 6EXPLA9 "EY?+ 6,MRS4 ,LONSDALE4
,X 0 V SIMPLE1 RE,Y3 ,JAY NOTIC$ "!
WASN'T A FOLD] = ,RAY1 &! TWO ( !M
DECID$ !Y RE,Y WANT$ 6SEE :AT X WD 2 L
6G 6S*OOL )\T AN ID5TICAL TW9 2+ "!4
,! PR9CIPAL SD1 8,WELL1 ,I HOPE Y
R1LIZE T :AT Y'VE BE5 DO+ IS V WR;G4
,EV5 DANG]\S4 ,) YR P>5TS ?9K+ BO? ( Y
>E SAFE AT S*OOL1 &! S*OOL N "K+ ANY?+
AT ALL AB ! O!R TW98 ,T'S N GD4 ,Y &
YR BRO!R H GOTT5 YRVS (F 6A V BAD />T
"H AT ,TAFT ,ELE;T>Y ,S*OOL40 #ACC
,RAY NO4$4 ,NO SURPRISES A#ACD
YET4 ,"R F ! />T1 HE & ,JAY _H _H A
CLE> IDEA AB ALL !
----------------------------------#ACE
TR\# H1D+ _! WAY4 ,& !Y BO? KNEW "! WD
AL 2 "S PUNI%;T 9VOLV$4 ,GU>ANTE$4
,! PR9CIPAL W5T ON4 8,N[1 ,JAY--,I
M1N1 ,RAY--,I'VE J SPOK5 ) YR "M AT H]
(FICE1 & %E HAS GIV5 P]MIS.N = ,MRS4
,C>DIFF & ME 6DRIVE Y HOME4 ,WE'LL
MEET YR P>5TS "! 9 AB FIFTE5 M9UTES4
,& YR BRO!R1 TOO4 ,WE ALL NE$ 6H A
S]I\S TALK AB ?4 ,D Y H ANY?+ ELSE Y
WANT 6SAY 6U "R N[80
,RAY %OOK 8 H1D4 8,ONLY ''' T ,I'M
SORRY40 ,: 0 TRUE4 ,2C ! ACTUAL SIZE
(! PRO#M HE & 8 BRO!R _H CAUS$ 0 2G9N+
6HIT HM4 ,& UNTANGL+ "EY?+ WASN'T GO+
6BE Z SIMPLE Z HE'D ?"\ X WD BE4
,ESPECI,Y ) ,JAY ACT+ S PIGH1D$ ALL (A
SU454
,/1 Z ,RAY W5T \ 6! FACULTY P>K+
LOT1 WALK+ 2T ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE & ,MRS4
,C>DIFF L A PRISON] 2T TWO DEPUTIES1
HE CDN'T HELP ?9K+1 ..,WELL1 AT L1/ ,I
WON'T H 6D1L ) MA? CLASS .TD4 A#ACE
----------------------------------#ACF
,,*APT] #BB
,,MISS+
,RAY SAW ! M9IVAN 9 ! DRIVEWAY :5 !
PR9CIPAL'S C> TURN$ ONTO 8 /REET1 SAW
8 MOM & DAD /&+ 9 ! DRIVEWAY4 ,WAIT+4
,= HM4 ,& Z !Y GOT CLOS]1 HE CD SEE _!
FACES4
,RAY GULP$4 ,? "P 0 N GO+ 6BE FUN4
,/1 X 0 GO+ 6BE GD 6GET ! WOR/ "PS
OV] ) ALL AT ONCE4 ..,SORT ( L TAK+ A
B&AGE (F A SCRAP$ .KNEE1 ,RAY TOLD
HMF4 .,"O .QK .PULL4
,! PR9CIPAL P>K$ H] C> 2H ! M9IVAN1
GOT \1 & WALK$ OV] & 9TRODUC$ H]F
6,RAY'S P>5TS4 8,I'M SORRY ? ISN'T A
HAPPI] O3A.N = \R F/ 9TRODUC;NS10 %E
SD1 8B X'S ALW GD 6GET A BAD SITU,N \
9 ! OP54 ,? IS ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF1 ! S*OOL
NURSE40
,MRS4 ,GRAYSON SD1 8,WELL1 MY HUSB&
& ,I
#ACE
WANT 6?ANK BO? ( Y = YR HELP ) #ACG
?4 ,LET'S G 9SIDE & SIT D[N1 % WE80
,DUR+ ? LL 3V]S,N1 ,RAY J /OOD "!1 N
Q 9 ! CIRCLE ( GR[N-UPS4 ,NO "O LOOK$
AT HM1 NO "O M5;N$ HM4 ,HE'D H FELT
BETT] EV5 IF 8 MOM OR DAD _H FR[N$ AT
HM4 ,B X 0 Z IF HE WASN'T "!4
,HE FOLL[$ 8 MOM & DAD 9 "? ! KIT*5
DOOR1 & Z ! PR9CIPAL & NURSE FOLL[$1
,MRS4 ,GRAYSON CALL$ \1 H] VOICE %>P &
/R;G4 8,JAY8 ,-E "H 6! KIT*51 "R ?
M9UTE40
,RAY DIDN'T HE> ! ,,TV ON 9 ! LIV+
ROOM1 S HE WALK$ 9 & PUT 8 H& ON !
SET4 ,X WASN'T W>M4 ..,I BET HE J W5T
BACK 6B$ AF ,I LEFT = .S*OOL1 HE ?"\4
,S HE CALL$ 6! KIT*51 8,I ?9K HE'S
ASLEEP1 ,MOM4 ,I'LL G WAKE HM UP40
,B :5 ,RAY GOT 6_! ROOM1 BO? B$S 7 /
MADE1 J L !Y'D LEFT !M 2F S*OOL4
,RAY HURRI$ BACK D[N/AIRS1 & 6ANSW]
! "Q HE SAW ON 8 MOM'S FACE1 HE SD1
8,JAY M/ 2 \ 9 \R HID+ PLACE40
,)! GR[N-UPS FOLL[+1 ,RAY L$ ! WAY
6! G>AGE & CALL$ \1 8,HEY1 ,JAY--
"EY"O'S "H4 ,& "EY"O "KS N[4 ,Y #ACH
C -E \40
,NO?+4
,RAY SD1 8,MAYBE HE FELL ASLEEP 9
"!40 ,HE DIDN'T RE,Y 2LIEVE T1 B HE
MOV$ ! BOX HID+ ! 5TRY ANYWAY & CRAWL$
IN4 ,Z HE DID1 ,MR4 ,GRAYSON LIFT$ (F
A C\PLE (! TOP BOXES1 & ,RAY LOOK$ UP
6SEE ALL F\R GR[N-UPS PE]+ D[N 96!
C>DBO>D CAVE4 ,&= HALF A SECOND1 ,RAY
?"\ HE SAW A SMILE ON 8 DAD'S FACE1 J
A T9Y "O4 ,B HE LOOK$ >.D AT ! FR[N+
FACES1 %RU7$1 & SD1 8,N "H40
,8 MOM SD1 8,WELL1 ": IS HE1 ,RAY8
,? ISN'T FUNNY ANYMORE4 ,": DID HE G80
,H] VOICE 0 TI ON 8
MOM'S FACE 0 L NO?+ HE _H "E SE5 2F4
,& "EY"O ELSE /I65$1 ALM /OPP$ #ACG
BR1?+4 A#ACH
,"! 0 A MO;T ( -PLETE SIL;E 9 !
G>AGE1 Z ?\< "T XF _H /OPP$ & WDN'T
D>E TAKE "O TICK =W>D4
----------------------------------#ACI
,& 9 T SIL;E1 A CELL PH"O RANG1 A
L\D1 B\NCY ,LAT9 B1T4 ,MRS4
,LONSDALE'S FACE W5T F PALE 6SLIAGE DOOR ONTO !
DRIVEWAY4
,RAY />T$ CLIMB+ OV] ! BOXES1 & 8
MOM /RET*$ \ H] H& 6/1DY HM4
,Z HE /EPP$ D[N1 HE SD1 8,I M1N1
MAYBE ,JAY TOOK A BUS 6! ZOO4 ,OR 6!
,ROCK & ,ROLL ,HALL ( ,FAME4 ,WE'VE
BE5 TALK+ AB T4 ,OR HE MIK OR "S?+40 ,B Z HE TALK$1 ,RAY
R1LIZ$ T HE 0 J MAK+ X M & M OBVI\S T
,JAY CD 2 ANY":4
,& Z HE /OOD "! ON ! FLOOR NEXT 6HIS
MOM1 %E PULL$ HM CLOSE 9 A SU451 FI]CE
HUG T CAUD4
,Z ,MRS4 ,GRAYSON HELD H] SON S
TIELY BR1!1 ! PR9CIPAL
PUT H] H1D BACK 9 ! DOOR (! A#ACI
G>AGE & SD1 8,JAY'S ALL "R--HE'S BE5
F.D40
----------------------------------#ADJ
,,*APT] #BC
,,G"O
,RAY _H BE5 "R AB ,JAY1 AB H[ MAD HE
WAS4
,JAY _H BE5 S ANGRY T HE'D H>DLY BE5
A# 6SWALL[ 8 ORANGE JUICE AT BR1KFA/4
,HE _H LEFT ! H\SE :5 ,RAY DID1 & ON !
WAY \ HE _HN'T SMIL$ ONCE1 OR EV5 SD
GDBYE 6HIS MOM OR DAD4 ,& Z ,RAY H1D$
(F = S*OOL1 ,JAY _H SNUCK >.D 6!
G>AGE1 Z USUAL4
,B TD ,JAY HAT$ WAIT+ 9 ! C>DBO>D
HIDE\T1 & HE SAT 9 ! D>K ON ! RICKETY
LAWN *AIR 9 A FUM+ RAGE1 FURI\S AT
"EY"O4
,JAY 0 ANGRY AT ,RAY = TELL+
,MELISSA1 & !N N TELL+ HM T %E KNEW4
,! TWO ( !M _H _H A GD LAU< AB HM
PRET5D+ 6BE L ,RAY4 ,!Y _H LET HM MAKE
A -PLETE FOOL ( HMF4
,& HE 0 R1DY 6PUN* ,MELISSA 9 #ACI
! NOSE A#ADJ
----------------------------------#ADA
= BLA2+ ! SECRET 6ALL H] FRS4 ,S !Y CD
MAKE FUN ( HM TGR4
,& HE 0 MAD AT 8 MOM & DAD = GIV+ HM
& ,RAY "NS T 7 ALM ! SAME4 ,2C T
WASN'T A HELP4 ,"E4
,JAY 0 ANGRY AT ! :OLE /9K+ UNIV]SE
= SETT+ ?+S UP S T HE _H 6H A TW9
BRO!R AT ALL4 ,X 0 S UNFAIR1 6ALW 2
-P>$ ) "S"O ELSE--& X WD PROBABLY 2 T
WAY =! RE/ ( 8 LIFE4
,B MO/LY1 ,JAY 0 ANGRY AT HMF4 ,2C
HE 0 6BLAME = ? MESS1 ALL ( X4 ,X _H
BE5 8 IDEA1 & HE 0 ! "O :O _H PU%$
,RAY 96TAK+ TURNS GO+ 6S*OOL 9 ! F/
PLACE4
,& N[ X _H BL[N UP 9 8 FACE4
,-PLETELY4
,? S-CALL$ EXP]I;T T 0 SUPPOS$ 6MAKE
,RAY & HM FEEL FREE F EA* O!R1 FREE F
! 5D.S -P>ISONS8 ,TOTAL FAILURE4 ,!Y 7
SUPPOS$ 6H BE5 FREE 6J 2 !MVS4 .,Y1H1
."R1 ,JAY SNE]$ 6HMF Z HE SAT /EW+ 9 !
HIDE\T4 ..,L T CD "E .HAPP54
,! EXP]I;T _H FAIL$ A#ADA
MIS]ABLY4 ,9/1D ( FEEL+ FREE1 !Y 7 BO?
LOCK$ 96A PRISON ( LIES4 ,9/1D ( GETT+
6BE !MVS1 !Y KEPT HAV+ 6PRET5D 6BE M &
M L EA* O!R4
----------------------------------#ADB
,& T CD N"E "W4 ,JAY SAW T N[4 ,X 0
/UPID 6H ?"\ T !Y CD EV5 PRET5D 6BE !
SAME P]SON4 ,!Y 7 TWO TOT,Y DI6]5T P1
ALW _H BE51 ALW WD BE--NO MATT] H[ X
MI5TS1 S*OOL--&
GIRLS8 ,) ,MELISSA LAU<+ & JA2]+ 6ALL
H] FRS1 HE CD =GET AB ,JULIE ,P>KMAN4
,OR ANY O!R GIRL 9 ? T[N4
,S AF 8 P>5TS LEFT = "W1 ,JAY /OMP$
BACK 96! H\SE4 ,HE W5T UP 6HIS ROOM &
/U6$ "S ?+S 96HIS BACKPACK1 AL;G )!
LUN* 8 MOM _H MADE = HM--"S M"OY1 8
,CUBS HAT1 AN EXTRA ;,T-%IRT1 AN EXTRA
PAIR ( SOCKS4
,!N HE W5T D[N/AIRS & BACK "? ! LIV+
ROOM1 TURN+ (F ! LIM ,W$NES"D
MORN+ 9 ,SEPTEMB]1 DID ,JAY ,GRAYSON
H1D =! BUS /,N 9 D[NT[N ,CLEVEL&8 ,DID
HE />T WALK+ T[>D ,9T]/ATE #DHJ S HE
CD HIT* A RIDE "S":1 ANY":8 ,OR DID HE
SET \ WALK+ /RAID 8
GR&P>5TS' F>M 9 ,9DIANA8
,/&+ AT ! 5D ( 8 DRIVEWAY ) 8
BACKPACK ON1 ALL ^? ID1S C]TA9LY RAN
"? 8 M9D4
,B ,JAY _H ALR *OS5 A DI6]5T DE/9,N4
,ELEV5 &A HALF M9UTES LAT]1 ,JAY
*ECK$ HMF 9 AT ! (FICE ( ,TAFT
,ELE;T>Y ,S*OOL4 ,& :5 ! SECRET>Y GAVE
HM A 3FUS$ LOOK & ASK$ HM 8 "N1 HE SD1
8,JAY ,GRAYSON40
----------------------------------#ADD
,2C T'S :O HE WAS4 ,! R1L ,JAY
,GRAYSON4 ,&! R1L ,JAY ,GRAYSON 0 GIV5
AN UNEXCUS$ T>DY SLIP 6TAKE 6HIS
F/-P]IOD T1*]4
,S ,JAY W5T 6MA? CLASS4
,WALK+ T[>D ,MRS4 ,PELL'S A#ADD
ROOM1 ,JAY KNEW :AT HE 0 GO+ 6D4 ,2C
HE 0 GO+ 6WALK "R 96T ROOM1 WALK "R
OV] 6": ,RAY 0 SITT+1 & 9 A VOICE L\D
5 = "EY"O 6HE>1 HE 0 GO+ 6SAY1 8,MY "N
IS ,JAY ,GRAYSON1 & Y'RE SITT+ 9 MY
S1T4 ,S MOVE X4 ,N[40
,2C ,JAY 0 R1DY =! BIG SC5E4 ,9
FRONT ( ,JULIE4 ,9 FRONT ( "EY"O4 ,&
ALL ! KIDS WD 2 AMAZ$ 6SEE BO? ( !M1
ID5TICAL TW9S4 ,EV5 ! KIDS :O ALR KNEW
7 GO+ 6BE AMAZ$4 ,"! WD 2 A BUR/ (
3FU.N4 ,& !N ! PR9CIPAL WD 2 CALL$ IN4
,& T WD 2 ! 5D ( X1 ! 5D (! PRET5D+4
,& :AT"E HAPP5$ AF T8 ,JAY DIDN'T C>E4
,N "O BIT4 ,LET X HAPP54
,S X 0 A HUGE 4APPO9T;T = ,JAY :5 HE
>RIV$ AT MA? CLASS & 4COV]$ T 8 S1T 0
EMPTY--NO ,RAY4 ,HE GAVE ,MRS4 ,PELL 8
T>DY SLIP & SAT D[N1 & ?IRTY SECONDS
LAT] ! T1*] ASK$ HM 6G 6! *ALKBO>D &
DEMON/RATE H[ 6F9D ! GRTE/ -MON FACTOR
( #ABH &
#ADC
#DB4 ,S ,JAY _H NO *OICE B #ADE
6JUMP 96! /R1M (! MA? CLASS & G )!
FL[4
,B :5 ,RAY CAME BACK 6MA? F :]"E HE
0 AT ! MO;T8 .,!N "! 0 GO+ 6BE A SC5E4
,! BIG "O4 ,& ,JAY 0 R1DY4
,EXCEPT ,JAY DIDN'T "K T Z HE 0 L1V+
HOME 6WALK 6S*OOL1 ,RAY & ,MRS4
,C>DIFF & ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE 7 GETT+ 96A
C> 9 ! S*OOL P>K+ LOT4
,& ,JAY AL DID N "K T TWO M9UTES AF
HE _H *ECK$ 9 T>DY AT ! (FICE1 ! S*OOL
SECRET>Y _H PHON$ ! PR9CIPAL1 & 9 A
PUZZL$ T"O ( VOICE SD1 8,MRS4
,LONSDALE8 ,I'M SORRY 69T]RUPT Y1 B T
BOY Y & ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF J DROVE AWAY )8
,HE'S BACK "H AT S*OOL1 "R N[4 ,&--&
,I J WANT$ Y 6"K T40
,& T PH"O CALL 0 :Y ! PR9CIPAL &!
S*OOL NURSE WALK$ BACK 96! S*OOL T5
M9UTES AF ,JAY DID1 FOLL[$ 0,MR4 &
,MRS4 ,GRAYSON & _! SON ,RAY4
,& TWO M9UTES AF T1 ! 9T]COM SP1K] 9
! SIX?-GRADE MA? ROOM HUMM$ & !N
CRACKL$ ) /ATIC1 &! S*OOL SECRET>Y'S
VOICE SD1 8,MRS4 ,PELL80 A#ADE
8,YES80
----------------------------------#ADF
8,PL1SE S5D ,JAY ,GRAYSON 6! (FICE
"R AWAY40
,& "O &A HALF M9UTES LAT]1 :5 ,JAY
APPE>$ AT ! DESK 9 ! MA9 (FICE1 !
SECRET>Y LOOK$ AT HM1 !N SQU9T$1 &
LOOK$ AG4 ,& !N %E PO9T$ T[>D ! DOOR
(! PR9CIPAL'S (FICE & SD1 8,G "R IN40
,S ,JAY OP5$ ! DOOR & W5T IN4
----------------------------------#ADG
,,*APT] #BE
,,4CORD1 ,,UNISON1 ,,H>MONY
,! PR9CIPAL'S (FICE 0 SMALL4 ,Z ,JAY
>RIV$1 ! POPUL,N (! LL ROOM ROSE 6SIX3
TWO S*OOL P1 TWO P>5TS1 &A PAIR (
TW9S4 ,"! 7 *AIRS = "EY"O1 &! EXTRA
FURNITURE MADE ! ROOM FEEL T M*
SMALL]4
,JAY SAT 9 ! ONLY EMPTY S1T1 "R NEXT
6,RAY1 & Z HE DID1 HE GL.ED SIDEWAYS4
,HE KNEW F ! LOOK ON 8 BRO!R'S FACE T
?+S _H ALR BE5 UNPL1SANT4 ,_! #ADE
*AIRS 7 JAMM$ TGR1 S Z !Y SAT A#ADG
"!1 /RAIM 0 T\*+
,RAY'S LEFT4 ,& IMMLY ,RAY GAVE HM A
T9Y NUDGE4 ,JAY REPLI$ 0FLEX+ A
MUSCLE1 A SIGNAL S SMALL T NO "O ELSE
KNEW X HAPP5$4 ,B ! TW9S _H OP5$ A L9E
( -MUNIC,N4 ,JAY'S ANG] 0
----------------------------------#ADH
/ FRE% 9 8 M9D1 B ? 0 BI7] ?AN T4 ,!Y
7 9 ? ?+ TGR1 & _! 3TACT GAVE EA* ( !M
"S -=T4 ,: DID N LA/ L;G4
,! PR9CIPAL CLE>$ H] ?ROAT & LOOK$
>.D QKLY F FACE 6FACE4 8,WELL1 N[ T
WE'RE ALL "H1 ,I'D L 62G9 0SAY+ T
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF & ,I &! :OLE /AFF AT
,TAFT ,ELE;T>Y ,S*OOL >E V 4TRESS$ T ?
SITU,N HAS ''' HAPP5$4 ,I'VE BE5
PR9CIPAL "H = N9E YE>S1 & ,I TAUS 2F T1 & WE'VE N"E _H
ANY?+ L ? ''' HAPP54 ,2F40
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF QKLY A4$1 8,( C\RSE1
WE'RE V GLAD T ? SITU,N HASN'T RESULT$
9 ANY MISHAPS 6EI ( YR SONS1 2C T'S \R
F/ 3C]N1 ALW4 ,WE WANT E * 6BE SAFE &
C>$ =4 ,& SUP]VIS$4 ,& WE TAKE T
RESPONSIBIL;Y V S]I\SLY40 A#ADH
,! PR9CIPAL NO4$ AT ! NURSE'S -;TS &
W5T ON4 8,N[1 ( C\RSE1 WE'LL NE$
63TACT ! S*OOL YR SONS ATT5D$ 9
,COLORADO 6BE C]TA9 T ! /UD5T FILES !Y
S5T "H 7 -PLETE4 ,2C ! WAY ! 9=M,N 0
TRANSMITT$ 6U 0 3FUS+1 6SAY ! L1/4 ,&
\R S*OOL 4TRICT W 2 REVIEW+ ALL
----------------------------------#ADI
( \R NEW /UD5T REGI/R,N PROC$URES 6BE
C]TA9 T NO?+ L ? C "E HAPP5 AG40
,MRS4 ,LONSDALE /OPP$ & CLE>$ H]
?ROAT1 & AF GLANC+ AT ,RAY & ,JAY1 %E
SD1 8,&1 WE'LL AL H 6DET]M9E !
APPROPRIATE ''' 3SEQU;ES4 ,=! BOYS4 ,=
SKIPP+ S"EAL "DS ( S*OOL4 ,& T W 2
SETTL$ AF ,I TALK 6! SUP]9T5D5T4 ,2C
WE MAY 2 LOOK+ AT A SUSP5.N ''' OR R1
SUSP5.NS40
,Z ! PR9CIPAL SD T ^W1 ,JAY & ,RAY
FELT A TREMOR Z EA* ( !M FL9*$4 ,A
SUSP5.N 0 A BAD ?+4 ,A BLOT ON A S*OOL
RECORD4 ,P]MAN5T4
8,Y PLAN 6TALK 6! SUP]9T5D5T80 ,MR4
,GRAYSON ASK$4 8,2C WON'T T #ADG
SORT ( 2 MAK+ ? :OLE ?+ A#ADI
PUBLIC8 ,WDN'T X MAKE J Z M* S5SE
6H&LE ? YRF1 "R "H AT ! S*OOL80
,! PR9CIPAL SD1 8,WE'VE _H A S]I\S
9CID5T "H1 S ! 3SEQU;ES NE$ 6BE S]I\S
Z WELL4 ,T J /&S 6R1SON40
,MRS4 ,GRAYSON NO4$ & SD1 8,WE
AGREE1 ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE1 B ,I ?9K ,I C
EXPLA9 :AT MY HUSB& M1NS4 ,Y SEE1 WE
BO? "W = AN 9SUR.E -PANY4 ,I'M A
CLAIMS ANALY/--LOOK+ AT SITU,NS1
DET]M9+ IF "! MIM Z _! A#AEJ
DAD KEPT TALK+4 ,& ,JAY NUDG$ BACK4 ,&
^? NUDGES M1NT1 ..,>E Y HE>+ :AT ,I'M
HE>+8 ,2C X S.DS L ,DAD IS ON !
ATTACK--DEF5D+ .U6
,TURN+ T[>D ! NURSE1 ,MR4 ,GRAYSON
W5T ON1 8,Y M5;N$ T Y'RE GLAD NEI (!
BOYS _H A MISHAP4 ,MY WIFE & ,I >E
GLAD AB T TOO4 ,WE'RE V GLAD ! BOYS >E
SAFE1 & WE'RE AL GLAD T NO LAWY]S NE$
6GET 9VOLV$4 ,9 ? SITU,N40
,! PR9CIPAL N>R[$ H] EYES & SD1
8,I'M / N SURE ,I "U/& EXACTLY :AT
Y'RE SAY+1 ,MR4 ,GRAYSON40
,JAY WASN'T SURE EI4 ,& NEI 0 ,RAY4
------------------------------#AEA-AEB
,2C ! BOYS _H N"E HE>D _! P>5TS TALK+
6O!R GR[N-UPS S S]I\SLY4 ,OR MAYBE !Y
J _HN'T LI/5$ M* 2F4 ,B !Y 7 C]TA9LY
LI/5+ N[1 EA* ( !M SITT+ /1 B>ELY
BR1?+4 ,EXCEPT N[1 !Y 7 PRACTIC,Y
ELB[+ EA* O!R 6PUNCTUATE ! PO9TS 2+
MADE 0BO? SIDES4 ,2C X 0 CLE> T "! 7
SIDES N[4 ,? 0 />T+ 6FEEL L A BATTLE4
,MR4 ,GRAYSON LOOK$ ! #ADI
PR9CIPAL /RAIY 3SEQU;ES = \R BOYS UP
6_! "M & ME4 ,!Y LI$ & !Y SKIPP$
S*OOL--BO? BAD ?+S1 & !Y W 2 PUNI%$4
,AT HOME4 ,I C GU>ANTEE T4 ,B "H AT
S*OOL1 ,I RE,Y ?9K X WD 2 BE/ = \R
SONS IF !Y CD SIMPLY GET ON ) _! "W4
,6GET PA/ ? ''' 9CID5T4 ,QKLY4 ,/>T+
TD40
,! PR9CIPAL FR[N$ & SD1 8,B !Y'VE
BROK5 S _M RULES T--0
,MR4 ,GRAYSON 9T]RUPT$1 8,YES1 B Z
,I SEE X1 ,RAY & ,JAY'S PREVI\S S*OOL
DID S5D YR S*OOL 9=M,N AB EA* BOY1 TWO
FILES--CORRECT80 ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE NO4$1
& ,MR4 ,GRAYSON SD1 8,& YR S*OOL LO/
"O ( ^? FILES 0MISTAKE4 ,"O
----------------------------------#AEC
/UD5T1 LO/--CORRECT80 ,AG ! PR9CIPAL
NO4$4 ,& S.D+ M & M L A PROSECUTOR 9 A
C\RTROOM1 ,MR4 ,GRAYSON SD1 8,X 0
C]TA9LY WR;G =! BOYS 6TAKE ADVANTAGE (
T4 ,H["E--& ? IS MY MA9 PO9T--X 0 !
S*OOL'S MISTAKE T ALL[$ ? SITU,N
6DEVELOP 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,"S"O A#AEC
MIDIFF 0 GLAD = ?
9T]RUP;N1 2C ! EX*ANGE 2T ,MR4
,GRAYSON &! PR9CIPAL 0 GETT+ A BIT TOO
H1T$1 & 0! LOOK 9 ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE'S
EYE1 X 0 AB 6BUR/ 96FLAMES4
,JAY 0 FEEL+ ! H1T TOO1 FEEL+
RESPONSI# = ? GIANT MESS4 ,HE NO4$ AT
! NURSE4 8,I J WANT 6SAY T ? 0 ALL MY
IDEA4 ,I WANT$ 6SEE :AT X WD 2 L 6BE
AT S*OOL )\T 2+ A TW9 =A :ILE4 ,& ,I'M
RE,Y SORRY4 ,! :OLE
#AEA
?+ 0 MY IDEA--S ,I'M ! "O :O %D #AED
2 9 TR\#40
,RAY %OOK 8 H1D & SD1 8,I W5T AL;G )
ALL ( X4 ,S X'S MY FAULT TOO4 ,& ,I'M
J Z SORRY Z Y >E4 ,& ,I %D GET PUNI%$
J Z M* TOO4 ,S /OP TRY+ 6MAKE "EY?+ 2
ALL AB Y1 OKAY80
,& 9/ANTLY1 9/9CTIVELY1 ,JAY HAUL$
BACK & PUN*$ ,RAY ON ! %\LD]4 ,H>D4
,: MADE ! NURSE GASP4
,& : MADE ,MRS4 ,GRAYSON %\T1 8,JAY6
,Y /OP T60
,B ALL ! ANG] ,JAY _H BE5 FEEL+ J A
HALF H\R E>LI] CAME RU%+ BACK1 & HE
BLURT$ \1 8,Y DON'T EV5 "K IF ,I'M
,JAY OR N1 ,MOM4 ,NOBODY DOES4 ,EXCEPT
HM10 HE SD1 J]K+ 8 ?UMB AT ,RAY4 8,&
NOBODY C>ES :O WE RE,Y >E1 EI "O ( U4
,WE'RE J ,8! TW9S40' ,& ,I'M SICK (
X40
,MRS4 ,GRAYSON'S EYES BRIMM$ ) TE>S4
8,:Y1 ( C\RSE WE C>E :O Y >E1
SWEETHE>T1 BO? ( Y4 ,& WE "K :O Y >E
''' WE D40
8,OH Y1H80 ,JAY SNAPP$4 8,:5 ,I /AY$
HOME LA/ ,?URS"D1 DID Y "K X 0 A#AED
ME & N ,RAY8 ,NO4 ,& :5 WE W5T 6! MALL
ON ,FRI"D1 ,I 0 WE>+ ,RAY'S SW1T%IRT &
SUNGLASSES
----------------------------------#AEE
& HAT4 ,T 0 ME4 ,& Y N"E KNEW A ?+4 ,&
IF ,RAY _HN'T GO($ UP ON ,SATUR"D1 .,I
WD H G"O SKAT+ TOO1 & Y N"E WD H
GUESS$ X 0 ME4 ,Y .N"E "K :O WE >E =
SURE1 EI ( Y--UN.S Y D !
FRECKLE-*ECK40
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF SD1 8,! FRECKLE-*ECK80
,MR4 ,GRAYSON NO4$4 8,RAY'S GOT A
FRECKLE ON 8 "R ANKLE40
,& ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF MADE A M5TAL NOTE (
T POSSIBLY USE;L BIT ( 9=M,N4
,! SMALL (FICE GOT QUIET Z ,MRS4
,GRAYSON DA2$ AT H] EYES )! TISSUE !
PR9CIPAL H&$ H]4 ,&! ANGRY FEEL+S !
ADULTS _H BE5 />T+ 6EXPRESS 2GAN 6DRA9
\ (! ROOM1 REPLAC$ 03C]N = ^! BOYS4 ,&
AL CURIOS;Y4
,2C ? GLIMPSE 96! L& ( TW9S 0
-PLETELY NEW = ,MRS4 ,C>DIFF & ,MRS4
,LONSDALE4 ,& ,RAY & ,JAY'S #AEC
P>5TS 7 GETT+ "S FRE% VIEWS Z A#AEE
WELL4
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF FELT X 0 "T 6/EP 9 Z A
M$IATOR1 "O ( H] /R;G PO9TS4 ,%E SMIL$
AT ,JAY & !N ,RAY4 8,:AT ,I'M HE>+ IS
T :AT Y TWO DID 0 A WAY 6D1L ) ? PRO#M
( 2+ 3/ANTLY MISTAK5 = EA* O!R1 (
FEEL+ L
----------------------------------#AEF
Y'RE ALW OV]%AD[$ 0EA* O!R4 ,IS T "R80
,BO? BOYS NO4$1 & ,JAY SD1 8,Y1H1 L1
="E40
8,B Y BO? SEE T ! WAY Y *OSE 62HAVE
WASN'T HELP;L1 OR H"O/8 ,"R80 ! NURSE
ASK$4
,AG BO? BOYS NO4$4
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF 3T9U$1 8,WELL1 ? PRO#M
ISN'T RE,Y GO+ 6G AWAY1 NO MATT] :AT
.WE D4 ,X'S "S?+ EA* ( Y H 6LE>N 6D1L
) Z BE/ Y C4 ,Y C SEE T1 "R8 ,I'M SURE
Y C4 ,B "! MI5TS JO9+ 9 Z WELL4
,MRS4 ,C>DIFF PAUS$1 2C %E RE,Y
WANT$ 6GET ? NEXT "P "R4 ,& %E DIDN'T
WANT 6S.D L A NURSE1 OR A T1*]1 OR EV5
L A
----------------------------------#AEG
P>5T4 ,%E WANT$ 6S.D L A FR4 ,%E LOOK$
96EA* FACE & SD1 8,B Y "K1 BOYS1 IF ?
PRO#M IS GO+ 6GET BETT]1 MO/ (! "W IS
GO+ 6BE YRS1 N \RS4 ,WE C HELP1 B Y H
6BE PATI5T ) U & HELP U4 ,2C ,I'M SURE
Y'RE N ! SAME4 ,NO TWO P "E >E4 ,Y H
6LET U GET 6"K Y4 ,C Y D T8 ,& TRY 6BE
M PATI5T ) EA* O!R1 TOO80
,RAY & ,JAY LOOK$ AT EA* O!R1 &A
SIGNAL NO "O ELSE CD SEE PASS$ 2T !M4
,& !Y BO? TURN$ 6! NURSE1 NO4$1 & SD1
8,YES40 ,9 P]FECT UNISON4
,! PR9CIPAL TURN$ 6,MR4 & ,MRS4
,GRAYSON & SD1 8,I ?9K YR ID1S AB H[
6H&LE ? PRO#M >E J "R4 ,6HELP ! #AEE
BOYS MOVE AH1D ) _! S*OOL"W4 A#AEG
,& ,I ?ANK Y BO? = YR "U/&+4 ,AB \R
MISTAKE40
,BO? P>5TS NO4$ & SMIL$1 & ,MRS4
,GRAYSON SD1 8,& ?ANK Y1 TOO4 ,WE'RE N
TRY+ 6BE DI6ICULT1 H"O/LY4 ,WE J WANT
:AT'S BE/ =! TW9S--,I M1N1 = ,JAY &
,RAY40
,& ,MRS4 ,LONSDALE NO4$ BACK & SD1
8,EXACTLY :AT WE WANT Z WELL40
,ALL ! GR[N-UPS 7 SU45LY ON _! BE/
2HAVIOR4 ,X FELT L ! SUN _H -E \ AF A
BIG
----------------------------------#AEH
?"U/ORM4 ,&! BOYS PICK$ UP ON T4 ,RAY
SN1K$ A QK LOOK AT ,JAY1 :O 0 SN1K+ A
QK LOOK AT HM1 & EA* SAW RELIEF ON !
O!R'S FACE4 ,& BO? LOOK$ AWAY QKLY1 2C
? WD H BE5 ! WR;G "T =A SMILE4 ,B =!
MO;T1 ! WOR/ 0 OV]1 & !Y KNEW X4
,! NEXT T5 M9UTES 7 A FLURRY (
ACTIV;Y Z ! PR9CIPAL 3SULT$ )! S*OOL
SECRET>Y 6SEP>ATE ! TW9S Z M* Z POSSI#
DUR+ ! S*OOL "D4
,S9CE ,JAY 0 ! "N ALR 3NECT$ )A FACE
9 ,MRS4 ,LANE'S HOMEROOM1 X A#AEH
MADE S5SE = ,JAY 6/AY PUT1 & ,RAY WD 2
! "O :O MOV$ 6,MRS4 ,A2OT'S HOMEROOM4
,9 FACT1 = T SAME R1SON1 ,JAY'S
S*$ULE /AY$ Z X WAS1 & ,RAY 0 GIV5 A
:OLE DI6]5T "O--: ,RAY DIDN'T L AT F/1
2C T M1NT ,JAY WD REMA9 ,MELISSA'S LAB
"PN]4 ,B HE LET X SLIDE4 ,2SS1 "! 7
SURE 6BE "S NICE GIRLS 9 ! O!R CLASSES
TOO4 ,& ,RAY ACTU,Y ?"\ HE GOT ! BETT]
D1L1 2C X 0 L HE 0 GO+ 6GET A BR&-NEW
/>T4 ,Z HMF4 ,Z ,RAY ,GRAYSON4 ,8 NEW
LOCK] 0 AT ! F> 5D (! SIX?-GRADE HALL4
,PLUS1 HE WD N"E H 6PRET5D HE LIK$
PLAY+ SO3] AG = Z L;G Z HE LIV$4
----------------------------------#AEI
,Z X 5D$ UP1 ! ONLY CLASS ! BOYS 7
GO+ 6H TGR 0 GYM4 ,!Y WD AL 2 TGR DUR+
SIX?-GRADE LUN*1 B !Y WDN'T H 6SIT
ANY": NE> EA* O!R4 ,UN.S !Y *OSE TO4
,&! SOCIAL /UDIES REPORT T 0 DUE 9
CLASS TD8 ,JAY WD TURN X IN1 2C HE'D
D"O MO/ (! "W ON X4 ,& ,RAY WD H AN
EXTRA WEEK 6F9I% "O ( 8 [N4
,:5 _! S*$ULES 7 SET1 ,MRS4 #AEG
,LONSDALE SD1 8,JAY1 Y'RE GO+ A#AEI
F "H "R 6SOCIAL /UDIES1 & ? IS A NOTE
6GET Y 96CLASS LATE40
,TURN+ 6,RAY1 %E SD1 8,Y'RE GO+ 6!
>T ROOM1 ,RAY4 ,& "H'S A NOTE 6EXPLA9
6,MS4 ,*U T Y >E N[ 9 T CLASS1 & ? IS
A COPY ( YR NEW S*$ULE--Y'LL AL NE$
6GET TEXTBOOKS F ALL YR T1*]S40 ,%E
PAUS$ & LOOK$ F FACE 6FACE4 8,S N[ X'S
UP 6Y4 ,& ,I D N WANT 6HE> ANY?+ B GD
NEWS AB EI ( Y BOYS =! RE/ (! YE>1 IS
T "U/OOD80
,BO? BOYS NO4$ & SD1 8,YES1 ,MRS4
,LONSDALE40 ,9 UNISON4
,2F !Y LEFT ! (FICE1 ,RAY & ,JAY EA*
GOT A L;G HUG F _! MOM4 ,:O ALM GOT
WEEPY AG4
----------------------------------#AFJ
,& EA* SON AL GOT A /R;G H&%AKE &A
%ORT HUG F _! DAD4 ,:O DID .N ALM GET
WEEPY4 ,AT ALL4 ,& F ! LOOK 9 8 EYE1
,JAY & ,RAY KNEW T _! "F _HN'T BE5
KI4+ AB :AT HE'D SD 6! PR9CIPAL DUR+ !
MEET+4 ,AB ! 3SEQU;ES !Y WD FACE4 ,AT
HOME4
,B T WD 2 M* LAT]4 ,X WD 2 A#AFJ
H\RS & H\RS 2F !Y WD H 6D1L ) _! DAD
AG4 ,S ! IMM ?R1T LEVEL DROPP$ AWAY
6ALM Z]O4
,! BOYS LEFT ! (FICE TGR1 & :5 !Y 7
AB T5 FEET D[N ! HALL1 ,RAY LOOK$ BACK
OV] 8 %\LD]4
,& ,JAY SD1 8,ANYBODY FOLL[+ U80
,RAY SD1 8,NOPE4 ,MOM'S WAT*+1 B
WE'RE ON \R [N4 ,CL1N GETAWAY40
,JAY SD1 8,SWEET40
,! BRO!RS WALK$ SIDE 0SIDE 9 SIL;E
UNTIL !Y R1*$ ! CORN] ": ! HALLWAYS
CROSS$4 ,!Y /OPP$1 !N LOOK$ AT EA* O!R
=A SECOND OR TWO4 ,X DIDN'T FEEL L
LOOK+ 96A MIRROR1 N AT ALL4 ,& !Y BO?
GR9N$4
8,AMAZ+ WEEK1 HUH80 ,RAY SD4
,JAY NO4$4 8,DEF9ITELY4 ,HEY1 ,I ?9K
,JULIE ,P>KMAN'S GONNA 2 9 YR >T CLASS
N[4 ,SAY HI 6H] = ME1 OKAY80
----------------------------------#AFA
,RAY SMIL$4 8,Y C C.T ON X4 ,& :5 Y
SEE ,MELISSA ? AFN1 J 2 YRF1 OKAY8 ,%E
?9KS Y'RE CUTE4 ,9 A DORKY SORT #AEI
( WAY40 A#AFA
,JAY RESI/$ ! URGE 6PUN* 8 BRO!R1 !N
LAU<$4 8,CUTE B DORKY4 ,I C LIVE ) T4
,S LI/51 H A GD "O1 OKAY8 ,& MAYBE
,I'LL SEE Y AT LUN*40
,RAY NO4$4 8,Y1H4 ,MAYBE S40
,JAY TURN$ & WALK$ D[N ! MA9 HALLWAY
T[>D SOCIAL /UDIES1 & ,RAY H1D$ T[>D !
>T ROOM4
,AF WALK+ 9 OPPOSITE DIREC;NS = AB
FIFTE5 SECONDS1 !Y EA* TOOK A LOOK
BACK OV] _! %\LD]S4 ,9 UNISON4
,& !Y BO? SMIL$1 NO4$1 & KEPT WALK+4
,,! ,,5D