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When Toby stares at me, there is a look of awe in his eyes I finish the rest of my can, then set it on the desk and stare back at him “What?”

He chuckles and shakes his head “You do realize this town’s never seen anyone like you before, right?”

“So? Maybe it needs so it to wobble before settling back in place “Tell me, does everyone in this town have their nose up everyone else’s ass? Or is the novelty ofto wear off?”

“Oh, it’ll wear off, trustturning out to be gay and falling for Billy, uesses himself “To be fair, that happened when I was a kid, and Coach Strong wasn’t even a coach yet He was just a football star or so, despite the uncertain look in his eyes “Everyone’s always hungry for the next big thing And that’s what they’ll talk about, once that … next big thing happens”

I snort at that, then eye hiether is it? What if we’re the next big thing?”

He doesn’t seehtly on the bed, ht in front of the TV A bit closer to me now, he half-turns his face to… more serious?”

I figured it was only a matter of time before he went there “Ask away”

“What made you move here? From your previous school?”

Oh That wasn’t where I thought he was going “My dad’s job”

“I meant …” He clears his throat, uneasy “I heard that … that you, uh … got into a fight or so With some other kid”

This is exactly the kind of inquisition I should have expected, yet somehow put out of ht be connecting to this Toby guy, he’s still a small-town country boy, and suspicion of outsiders will naturally be in his blood—gossip, his language of choice

I hs, and blurts out, “Sorry I’uy with his nose in your butt” He turns back to the TV, red-faced