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“No, no, no, I definitely don’t need that,” Gray protests, but when he tries to get to his feet his whole face goes sweaty and ghost pale

“Okay,” he says, sitting back down hard on the floor with a grimace “Maybe I do”

He seeister me for the first time then “Hi,” he says

“Hi,” I say “You want me to call your moms?”

Gray shakes his head “You can, but it’s going to be hard to get theot a late-afternoon class Anda weak sh he’s trying not to show it

“See, this would be one of those times where it would be useful for s”

The ambulance arrives a few minutes later, a pair of tersely efficient paraently this way and that The one who’s a woman doesn’t look much older than us

Do you knohat you’re doing? I want to ask her, flinching as Gray grimaces in obvious discomfort Do you kno important he is?

Finally they seeet an X-ray, boosting hi him up onto a stretcher He’s taller than both of them, and broader; they re to transport a fallen giant

“I’ll get over there as soon as I can,” Coach Arwen tells Gray, taking off his hat and scrubbing a nervous hand through his salt-and-pepper hair so it sticks up in all directions like the scientist frouys ride along with you, keep you company?”

“I’ll go,” I hear myself say

The crowd of faces turn to look at me at once “Who are you?” the male EMT asks

“I’irlfriend,” I blurt

Gray raises his eyebroith a s-word in front of him Actually, it’s the first time I’ve used it at all

I leave es for both his mo roo my own parents and the rest of the book club to let t