A/N: Here it is! Sorry that that took a little while, things have been hectic with the holidays and everything. Big thanks to: SilverRain1.3, Nightcrawlerlover, prettyinpink2165, fairy-wannabe and Camaraderie who reviewed!

Disclaimer: I don't own it (sadly).

As Gordie and Chris sat outside the principal's office, waiting for him to meet with them, Gordie tried several times to speak, failing horribly each time.

He looked at Chris's face, he didn't seem angry, thankfully, just sort of bored. This reassured Gordie slightly.

"I'm sorry about this," Gordie finally mumbled, deciding that he would have to apologize before there was absolutely no hope left about saving his friendship.

Chris looked up abruptly, he looked a bit surprised, "That's okay, last year I got in trouble all the time for stuff I didn't do. "

"Oh," Gordie replied, not really sure how to show how badly he felt for his friend.

"Thanks for standing up for me," Chris continued gently, "You definitely shouldn't feel bad; no one's ever defended me before, it was worth getting in trouble for."

Gordie smiled unbelievably widely for someone waiting to see the principal and responded, "No problem. That's what friends are for." Later he kicked himself for adding that last bit, but Chris seemed to appreciate it.

Finally the principal stepped out of his office and spoke to the boys, "Well now, aren't you a little young to get into trouble on your second day of school?" He bent his knees slightly so that he was level with them, "Why don't you come into my office and we can talk about what happened."

Gordie found himself happy all of a sudden; his friendship wasn't gone and it didn't look as if they were going to get in that much trouble.

"All right, why don't we start with your names." The principal said, "I am Dr. Adams."

"I'm Gordon Lachance," Gordie said.

"I'm Christopher Chambers," Chris said.

"Oh," The principal commented. It wasn't that deflated kind of "oh" either, it was much more accusatory and exasperated than that. And Gordie could tell that Dr. Adams hadn't meant to say it out loud.

Dr. Adams's expression was stonier now, and much less forgiving, "Why did your teacher send you here." He asked in a very business-like way.

Gordie gulped, he was pretty sure that Dr. Adams's instant dislike of Chris was going to make him side with Mrs. Briggs."

"W-well," Gordie stuttered, figuring that it was his story to tell, "When we were doing math in class, Mrs. Briggs would only call on me, not Chris, even when we both raised our hands, and when I asked her why she- " He spoke so fast that when Dr. Adams cut him off he was panting, "You are never allowed to talk back to a teacher. And I am afraid that although you are only in first grade, you will have to learn your lesson by staying after school for detention. I will call your parents to tell them that they will have to pick you up late today."

Gordie felt his face get hot, Denny had only gotten detention once in his life, and he had been much older. Gordie remembered that even his dad, who thought Denny was the most precious thing in the world, had been furious. Gordie could scarcely imagine what they would do to him. And what was he supposed to say when they asked why he had gotten into trouble? They would be even madder if they knew it was because he had stood up for Chris.

Chris looked worried, and a bit angry as well.

"You boys may go back to class," Dr. Adams said.

They walked back at turtle speed, Chris dawdling behind and staring at the ground.

"Are you okay?" Gordie asked nervously, not wanting to seem too prying.

Chris didn't answer for a minute and then said, "I don't think my parents can pick me up. I'm supposed to take the bus, and I don't know how I'm going to get home."

This must be what mom meant by "bad family".

Gordie wanted to offer advice or reassuring words, but he couldn't think of anything to say.

A/N: I know, it's kind of short. Sorry! Please R + R! Thanks for reading!