"Trust me," Biff said. "For now, that's a good thing."
"Why?" Frank hissed as the teacher walked into the classroom.
"Because if he doesn't care about you then he won't go back," Biff replied.
Before Frank could respond to that cryptic remark, the bell rang and class began. As soon as it was over, Frank reached over and grabbed Biff's arm. "What's going on?" he demanded. He had been unable to concentrate on the class and everything the teacher had said was no more than mumblings. For the first time this year, Frank hadn't taken any notes.
"Joe's new history teacher is flunking Joe," Biff told him.
"I know," Frank said, his face creased with curiosity. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"He's not failing because he deserves to," Biff replied. "He's failing because he won't do what the teacher asks. He started to last night, because you told him it was the only way you'd care about him again," Biff continued. "But I followed him and put a stop to it. Tomorrow night he has to go back or he won't pass history, he won't even pass his junior year."
Frank's face was white. "What does he want Joe to do?" he demanded. "Steal something?"
Biff shook his head and got up. "Look, call your dad," he advised. "Tell him to talk to Joe."
"Tell me," Frank insisted.
"I can't," Biff said. "You see, Joe knew what he was talking about yesterday when he said you mustn't find out." With that, Biff left the room.
Frank left the room and walked down the hall. He saw Joe, tight-lipped, leaving his history class. Callie was right behind him, her face set in a grim line. He watched as she grabbed Joe's arm and forced him to slow down. He sped up so he could get closer and hear what they were talking about.
"You went to see him," Callie accused Joe angrily. "Didn't you?"
Joe shrugged off her arm and kept on walking. "He thinks you are going to do it, doesn't he?" she demanded, keeping in step with him. "That's why he gave you a hundred on the pop quiz today, isn't it?"
"Leave me alone, okay?" Joe demanded, stopping and turning to face her. "I...I'm handling it."
"You mean, he's handling you," Callie retorted. "I've got to tell Frank."
"So go ahead," Joe snarled. "In case you don't realize it, I was wrong about him. He doesn't care. Tell him. He'll probably throw a party, or at least offer to drop me off tomorrow night."
With that, Joe walked away, leaving Callie standing in the hallway with tears running down her cheeks.
"Callie," Frank caught up with her after Joe had stormed off to his locker. "What..." Frank stopped speaking abruptly as Callie turned around and slapped him hard across the face.
"This is all your fault!" she stormed at him. "If you hadn't been such a creep yesterday, then Joe wouldn't be in so much trouble now. How could you?!" she screamed at him. "You always play the Big Protector, but when Joe needed you most, you turned on him. Well, I hope you are proud of yourself."
Frank grabbed Callie's arm and pulled her down the hall and out the door. They had been drawing a crowd inside. "Okay, I admit it," Frank said. "I blew it big time! But I am trying to make up for it and I can't when no one will tell me what's going on."
"I...I can't," Callie said. "If you really do love Joe, and I know you do, then you can't know." Frank started to argue, but she put a hand over his mouth and continued. "Make your dad listen to Joe. He needs help. He can't do this alone."
"It has something to do with his history teacher," Frank said when she moved her hand. "I know that much. And if you won't tell me, then I'll find out from Johnson," he added, turning to go back into the building.
"NO!" Callie shouted, grabbing his arm and pulling him to a stop. "You can't do that!"
"Why not?" Frank demanded.
"Because you'll be warning him," she said. "And he'll get away with what he's been doing to Joe."
"What has he been doing?" Frank asked again. Callie remained silent. "How can I help Joe if I don't know what's wrong?" he demanded.
"If I tell you, you have to promise to control your temper," she told him.
"I always, well almost always, control my temper," he said.
"Frank, you have to swear you'll let your dad handle this," she told him.
"Handle what?" Frank demanded.
"Promise!" she said, her lips firmly set.
"Fine, I'll let Dad deal with the problem, just tell me what it is," Frank said wearily.
Callie sighed and looked at Frank. Several seconds passed and Frank started to wonder if she was going to tell him even after he had agreed to her terms. "Mr. Johnson, he.." she began, but fell silent.
"He what?" Frank prodded, his forehead wrinkling. 'How bad could this be?' he wondered.
"He told Joe if he didn't mess around with him, then he wouldn't pass," Callie said in a rush.
"What?" Frank asked softly, his face white, his breathing heavy.
"When you told Joe passing was the only way you and he would ever be friends again, he...he.."
"He went over to see him," Frank finished for her, closing his eyes and letting tears roll down his cheeks. "Oh my God," he whispered. "What have I done?"