Page 2 (1/2)

I WAS IN THE BATHROOM at school, sitting down on the toilet, hu I had lish class, feeling sick My teacher, Mr Dalton, is great about things like that He’s s and when you’re being serious He took one look at me when I raised my hand and said I was ill, then nodded his head and toldyou sick, Darren," he said, "then get your behind back in here"

I wish every teacher was as understanding as Mr Dalton

In the end, I didn’t get sick, but still felt queasy, so I stayed on the toilet I heard the bell ring for the end of class and everybody ca out on their lunch break I wanted to join thery if he saw et oes quiet and won’t speak to you for a while, and that’s al, watchingmy narinned It was Steve Leopard, my best friend Steve’s real last name was Leonard, but everyone called him Steve Leopard And not just because the names sound alike Steve used to be what my ot into fights, stole from stores One day - he was still in a stroller - he found a sharp stick and prodded passing wo where he stuck it!)

He was feared and despised everywhere he went But not by arten, e first ht he was a great guy to be with He had a fierce temper and threw scary tantrums when he lost it, but I siain once he’d calmed down

Steve’s reputation had softened over the years - his ht hiend in the schoolyard and not soer and older than him

"Hey, Steve," I called back "I’m in here" I hit the door so he’d knohich one I was behind

He hurried over and I opened the door He s doith my pants on "Did you puke?" he asked

"No," I said

"Do you think you’re gonna?"

"Maybe," I said Then I leaned forward all of a sudden and h! But Steve Leopard knew me too well to be fooled

"Give my boots a polish while you’re down there," he said, and laughed when I pretended to spit on his shoes and rub the in class?" I asked, sitting up

"Nah," he said "The usual crap"

"Did you do your history homework?" I asked

"It doesn’t have to be done until to worried Steve’s always forgetting about homework

"The day after to "Even better I thought"