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"Yeah Thought you should know I got expelled fro hits"

"Then prove it"

"Take the swing, assle" I’ a y Matt shoves his chest out, aruy says, "Principal"

Matt backs off and I follow his lead Soray suit watches us as he heads for the food line

"New boy," says Matt "We don’t fight in school, but the les to become a human shield in front ofthis bastard for anything Does she honestly think I’ot this"

"Listen to her, Matt," Conner butts in

"What?" Matt asks

"One of us should fight hie You know, make it public humiliation Best ers into her hair and clutches it as if to yank it out "He’s not a fighter It won’t be fair"

"I can fight," I snap, but not one of thees me

"If he can’t take the hits, then he shouldn’t have messed with one of us," says Matt

"Matthew" The pure desperation in her tone causes everyone to freeze "I swear to you he didn’t know"

The looks, the stares All of thened in blood that I’ot four months in this school and I’ll be da me the entire time "Name the day and time"

Connerwhether to have cheese on a burger "The tournaet the hand healed and then the two of us go at it"

Matt nods "All right Are you in, New Boy, or are you chickenshit?"

I smile An adrenaline rush floods my veins This is possibly the craziest and theforward to it"

The bell rings, ending lunch Matt and his pack of wolves leave the table

Haley closes her eyes and lowers her head into her hands Not the reaction I hoped for