Once the Collins were gone, I turned to Mrs. Johnson. "Did you call Pop?"

"Yes, he'll be here this afternoon."

"I'll be back then," I stated.

"Mason, I understand your concern, but do you think that's necessary?"

I almost laughed. Mrs. Johnson was kind and really cared about Tex and me. But she had no idea. Pop was useless and didn't give a damn about Tex or me.

"Yeah, it's necessary," I said.

Then I bent down to look Tex in the eyes. I also wanted to snatch him up and whup him a bit. "You'd better not give these ladies any trouble while you sit in here today. You understand me? If I gotta come back, before the day is over, you won't like what happens next. Got it?"

Tex looked shocked and nervous and promptly responded, "Yeah, I got it, Mace."

I nodded to Mrs. Johnson and walked back to school. I had missed my history exam, but Mr. Butler would probably be reasonable and let me take it later.

I waited outside class for six minutes, until the bell rang. After everyone filed out, I went in to get my books and talk to Mr. Butler. He agreed to let me take it after school the next day.

Robert and I were in the same English class the next hour, so I told him everything that happened.

"Johnny really called you both SOBs? Man, he must have a death wish!"

"Yeah, Cole busted his butt right there."

"Nah, that was just a preview. Johnny may never sit down again. At least we have a doctor in the family," Robert said with a laugh.

"Oh, are you talking to Charlie again?" I asked, smiling. Charlie had gotten Robert, Johnny and Tex drunk as skunks after they went to the fair. Cole wanted to blame Tex for that too, but Robert took responsibility and wasn't able to sit comfortably himself for some time.

Robert made a serious face, though I knew he was joking, and said, "Damn, I nearly forgot that I hate that ass hat!" Then he winked at me and laughed.

At lunch, Jim Fraiser, the captain of the football team and basically a giant jerk, sat down at the table next to me. "Hey, McCormick, your brother in juvie yet?"

"Shut it, Fraiser. Or I'll shut it for you," I growled. My entire body tensed up. I hated that asshole.

Jim smiled and looked around at his football toadies. "If he does go, I'm sure he won't be lonely for long. My dad says it won't be long until your dad goes back in—"

I didn't let him finish. Jim's father is the town sheriff, so he knows that Pop did some time. I've tried to keep that fact quiet. Even Robert doesn't know and I told Tex I'd skin him if he told anyone.

With one punch, I knocked him to the floor. Then I dumped his tray on top of him. Someone grabbed me from behind and suddenly everyone around me was fighting. Pretty soon Mr. Odom, our vice principal, was pulling kids apart and bellowing at everyone to knock it off.

"Who started this?" he roared.

"Mason McCormick," Jim said, holding his nose to stop the bleeding.

Mr. Odom looked at me and I nodded once. He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me towards the Principal's office.

Mr. Robilliard was sitting at his desk when we arrived.

"Excuse me, Mr. Robilliard," said Mr. Odom. "But there was a fight in the cafeteria. Mason McCormick admits he started it."

"Is that so?" asked Mr. Robilliard.

"If you mean, did I throw the first punch, then yeah, I started it," I said, more surly than I meant to sound.

The principal made a face and said, "That is enough of that attitude, Mr. McCormick."

Then, turning to the Vice Principal, he said, "Thank you, Mr. Odom. You may go."

Pointing at the chair in front of his desk, he said, "Well, Mr. McCormick, sit down. Who were you fighting with and why?"

I sat down, but said nothing. We waited, watching one another.

"Please answer my question, young man."

I didn't.

"Very well," he said finally. "You leave me with very few options. I can suspend you, which would go on your permanent record and would cause you to be benched for the next basketball game, or I can paddle you."

"Paddle me, sir," I said quickly.

He smiled, creepily. Dammit. I'd made it this far into high school and had never been paddled. Sure, Mrs. Johnson had practically worn out the Board of Education on my backside in junior high, but that was different.

"Assume the position," he said, taking the paddle with holes drilled in it off the wall.

I stood up, bent over and grabbed the edge of his desk. Dammit, dammit, dammit.

The paddle's loud smack was nothing to the explosion of pain my backside experienced. I got only three licks, but my butt was numb and on fire at the same time.

Afterwards, Mr. Robilliard held out his hand for me to shake. I wanted to slap it away, but instead I said, "Thank you for not suspending me."

"You're welcome, Mr. McCormick. Take this pass to your next class, and good luck with this week's game."

"Thank you," I said, and left his office.

I walked through the halls, coolly, even though no one was there. When I got to the bathroom, I went in a stall and tried to rub the pain out. It didn't really help though.

Back in class, I handed the pass to Miss Hadly and took my seat, gingerly. The class was working in groups on an economics project. My group had a company we named Pen Is Envy that sold expensive pens to rich idiots. Robert did most of the work, and the name was basically my only contribution.

Jim Fraiser sat in another group and called over in a teasing voice, "Hey, McCormick, did Robilliard paddle you or suspend you?"

"Neither," I said. "He gave me a medal for shutting your ugly mouth."

"Boys," Miss Hadly said, firmly. "Anyone want to go visit Mr. Robilliard now? …No? Then back to work, please."

When he thought she wasn't looking anymore, Fraiser stuck his middle finger up at me. However, Miss Hadly caught him and sent him to the office. I wanted to laugh out loud.