Page 33 (2/2)

“What’s going on?” Mike asked “We’re in the ”

“How long has he been down here?”

Mike shrugged and glanced at the clock “I dunno Twenty or thirty minutes”

Her

Panic tightenedon?”

“Don’t know,” Mike answered

I sed hard I wasn’t a tattletale Snitching on other kids always seeot home, Pip was upset”

“He’s always upset about so,” Mike said

“Yeah, I know, but this was different He said Evie and Janet were talking about getting me in trouble”

Mike rolled his eyes “That girl is always up to no good” His jaw settled into a griot home from the field trip, Roood, kid Besides, I know you wouldn’t irls”

“I wouldn’t” I hesitated “I have a girl at school I’m into Evie’s jealous”

His face transforet her into trouble”

I assunant,” especially when he slipped a handful of condoms out of his desk drawer and passed them to me

“Uh, thanks” I shoved them in my pocket and looked away

I coughed to cover up the aardness “So, what are et an after-school job?”

“So you can ith your girlfriend?”

“No She doesn’t have a job”

He nodded “I can talk to Ms Simpson and see what she says”

My overloaded caseworker wasn’t easy to get in touch with, but she’d probably answer Mike’s calls quicker than she’d ever answer mine

“Your grades are good,” he added “You haven’t caused any trouble at the house She ht approve a couple hours a week somewhere”