CHAPTER 7: March—Logan

I arrived at school on the first Monday in March, got my books out of my locker, and went to homeroom. When I got there, King (don't call him Clarence, because he hates that) was his usual mature self. "So, Bruno, you find a cure for diaper rash yet?" he snickered.

"Why, do you have a problem that you'd like to discuss?" I teased. "Because if you do, I've got a whole boxful of cornstarch in my locker."

And you know something? For the first time ever, he didn't have an answer for that!

After homeroom, I met Kristy, Mary Anne, Dawn, and Abby outside Room 201. "Ready?" I asked.

"Yup," Kristy answered. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

During class, we sat in the row next to the window. I sat in the front, Mary Anne sat behind me, and Abby sat in the back. Kristy sat in front of Abby, and Dawn sat between Kristy and Mary Anne. We were ready for our math test, even though I could tell that Abby was clearly more than a little apprehensive, which I could sort of understand. You see, last year, while Abby was preparing for her Bat Mitzvah, she got so busy with that, baby-sitting, and classes, she actually bought a cheat sheet from Brad Simon, who worked in the office, and also told her that it was a "study guide". As a result, she and a few other kids who had also purchased said "study guide" were suspended for three days. Later, she caught wind of what was going on, and stopped Mary Anne from making a similar mistake. In fact, when the story reached Mrs. Stevenson, she went to the school with every intention of chewing Ms. Frost's ass out, but when she heard Ms. Frost praising Abby for coming forward, she was never more proud.

In second period English with Mary Anne and Stacey, which was in Room 114, we turned in our essays and started on the next unit, which was about Hamlet. It was a little hard to understand the way these people talked, but at least it didn't have some nutjob stalker mopping this girl's kitchen floor after she'd waxed it.

In third period Wood Shop, which was around the back of the building, I finished the little night table I was making. I planned to give it to Kerry for her birthday, which was next week.

During fourth period study hall, which was in Room 105, I said to Kristy, "Don't forget that I have track practice this afternoon."

"I know," she said. "You're not signed up for any jobs, so it's okay."

"Thanks," I smiled.

During lunch, Kristy, Mary Anne, Jason, and I sat at our usual table. "So, how's everything going?" I asked as I took a bite of my cheeseburger.

"Pretty good," Jason answered.

After lunch, the afternoon went like this. Sixth period gym with none of my BSC friends. We did basketball that day, and I also had to put up with King and his buddies giving me their crap about me and Jason baby-sitting. Thankfully, Jason wasn't in my class, because he'd really let them have it. (Actually, on second thought, maybe they wouldn't have bothered, since the entire eighth grade had seen Jason almost beat up this one guy named T-Jam one day at lunch last year—specifically, on Jason's first day.)

Seventh period was History, which was in Room 207, with Kristy, Claud, Mary Anne, Stacey, and Jason. We were studying the Civil War, not to mention Mr. Reed reminding us that our second project was due soon. Jason and I were doing ours on the Great Depression. Eighth period was science, which was in Room 209, with Kristy, Abby, and Jason, which included grading Chapter 9 questions.

After school, I called Mom on the pay phone, which was by the entrance. (It's the only one at the school, sorry to say. Those are becoming a thing of the past, with the invention of cell phones.) I asked her to meet me outside before track practice, because I planned to put Kerry's birthday present in her car. After I hung up, I returned to the Wood Shop classroom to retrieve it.

When I came back outside, Mom was waiting with the car. "We need to put this in my room and cover it with a sheet. I want it to be a nice birthday surprise for Kerry," I said as I laid the table on the backseat.

"Okay," Mom agreed. I just knew that Kerry was going to love the night table.

"See you later, Mom," I said as I went to the track and she drove off. As usual, King had a not-so-subtle comment for me.

"No work today, huh?"

"Shove it, King," I said sharply as I began stretching. To my surprise, he actually backed off. Could he be losing his touch? God, I hope so!