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People laughed Skye flushed with shame; the taunt struck too close to the truth What had happened to Mr Lovejoy was, however indirectly, because of her

And it was one more reminder that school was not just unbearable now--it was also unsafe If Redgrave or any of the other va to stop them? The elderly school secretary eetly asked visitors for their ID at the front door? Not likely

Maybe it was ridiculous to think that vah, but she didn’t kno far they’d go, or what they would or wouldn’t risk Surely they wouldn’t want to kidnap her in public But who knows?

She’d gotten up early enough in theto their cars That wasn’tHere at school, she was totally exposed

To everything, including Britnee Fong

"Should we be quieter?" Britnee was perched on the edge of Craig’s desk; he’d hitched two of his fingers through a belt loop at the waist of her denim skirt "Because, like, won’t they coet a substitute?"

Madison glanced at Skye, like My God, that girl is stupid, before she said, "Do you seriously think that we’re not getting a sub? Is your big plan for us to just sit in here silently all semester and hope they don’t notice Mr Lovejoy is out?"

"It’s weird they haven’t gotten anyone in here already," Craig said quickly, obviously trying to stand up for his diirlfriend "The other teachers are probably pissed off by now"

Probably this was true, Skye thought--in the absence of Mr Lovejoy, her hoe of anarchy So far, the drawings on the dry-erase board weren’t obscene, but they’d probably get there in fiveto have to go through every school day in fear for her life without everybody being coain? She slumped down over her desk

Madison said, "Be careful, Britnee You don’t want Craig’s desk to collapse under the weight"

Skye looked up, startled by how seriously bitchy that was; it was nice that Madison stuck up for her, but that had been ’s desk Craig gave Madison hisstare--and he could really do that, look at you like he was looking into your soul Madison didn’t seelanced at Skye, and she knew exactly what he was thinking: This is the kind of person you want to be friends with?

Which was judgmental of him Madison’s jokes were only meant to make Skye feel better, even if they were a little out of line Plus, what right did Craig have to judge anybody? He was the one who had du for Dakota, and only a short while after they’d slept together for the first time

Skye deliberately turned to Madison and said, "So has anybody co to do in Darby Glen since I left? Or is Café Keats still the only galets as she frowned at a chip on one manicured nail "But, hey, basketball’s started back up We can go to the ga was the basketball teaame was the last place she wanted to be … even if it weren’t exposed to vah on its own to say no As she started to h, the door to their classroom opened and Principal Zasloalked in Everybody fell silent at once as people dove for their desks

Skye gaped as Balthazar walked in after the principal

He’d brushed his hair back and put on glasses, which made him look older, but no less hot Instead of the dark jeans and long coat he’d worn yesterday, Balthazar now had on pressed slacks and a tweed coat over a sweater vest--and somehow he made even that look hot

The hush in the room took on a different quality thethe rapt attention of nearly all the girls and at least a couple of the guys Madison leaned closer to Skye anda whole lot better"

Taking her glasses fro them on her nose, Principal Zaslow said, "As all of you know, Mr Lovejoy is looking at a long hospital stay and recovery Luckily, we’ve already arranged for a full-ti over both ho duties from now until Mr Lovejoy can return to us I trust you’ll show him a warm Minuteman welcome, and your full attention and respect"

"That’s not all I’d show hihed as if to say, Me too

Skye could hardly do more than stare as the principal walked out and Balthazar wrote his name on the board "Hello, everyone As you can see, it’s More with one o, not two--pet peeve of ive

Balthazar had to have heard that--he had powers and abilities nobody else in this roouess--and it hit Skye all at once: Nobody knows the substitute teacher is a vah Although Balthazar looked reasonably confident to anybody who didn’t know hih to realize that, six weeks ago, he’d been on the other side of the classroo of Mr Lovejoy and hoping he’ll recover soon I was called in at the last et up to speed For today, you should treat this class as an extra study hall We’ll dive in again tomorrow"