Melody (Logan 1)

why you don't like me, Cary Logan, and the truth is, I

don't care to know. If that's the way it has to be, that's

the way it has to be, but don't think I'll let you ridicule

me or say bad things about the people I love." He went from astonishment and shock to what

looked like appreciation and pleasure, before

returning to his stoic self.

"I can't be late for school," he said. "I already

have two demerits."

He walked on and I hurried to catch up. "You have two demerits? What for?"

He was silent.

"What did you do?" I pursued, keeping pace

with him. I was curious what possible infraction of the

rules Mr. Perfect could have committed.

"Fighting," he finally replied.

"I wonder why that comes as no surprise?" I

said. I couldn't resist.

He glared at me and I thought if looks could

kill, I'd be long dead and buried. Then he pumped his

legs harder, remaining a foot or two ahead of me the

rest of the way to school.

Theresa Patterson was friendly and spoke to me

between classes, but since she didn't have to be my

guide any longer, she stayed with her own friends.

She didn't have to say it, but I knew if she brought me

along, her friends might resent it. Just as in my

school, and probably in most schools, clumps of girls

and boys clung to each other in cliques, feeling safer

and more comfort-able hanging around with those

whom they perceived to be their own kind.

At lunch I sat at a table alone until Lorraine,