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turned and walked in the other direction.

5
     
    The rest of the day he could think of nothing but his lunch conversation. He hated to admit it , but it was the longest conversation he had ever had with someone his own age. Could it be his first friend? He shot that idea down instantly. Don’t get your hopes up. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.
    At long last the day drew to a close.
    “I have an important announcement,” Mrs. Taylor said as she cleaned up in preparation for the final bell. She smiled as every head turned expectantly towards her. Even Cole snapped out of his trance. They were the first words he had heard since lunch.
    “As you all know, this Sunday we are going to have a special field trip to Six Flags.”
    An explosion of chatter erupted from the class as a number of heads perked up higher.
    “Shhh. Everyone quiet down. Just a reminder, you must have your permission slips signed by the trip. I am still waiting on a number of you. Anyone who does not get them signed will not be allowed on the trip. Is that clear?”
    There were a smattering of yeses and Mrs. Taylor nodded. “Good.”
    “Also, don’t forget, history test next week,” Mrs. Taylor said as everyone packed up. “We need to get those grades up from the last one.” A collective groan issued from the students who were already heading out the door.
    Cole hurried after his class so Mrs. Taylor wouldn’t stop him. I completely forgot about that trip. I don’t wanna go there. I’m not going to bother Mom with that one.
    “Hey freak!”
    Without turning around, he knew the target of that insult. He also knew the voice. He ignored it and kept walking, hoping against hope that it would up and disappear, but there was no such luck. A boy almost twice Cole’s size stepped in front of him, arms folded, a look of perpetual irritation on his face.
    His name was Derek Sollis and no one wondered why he had no friends. Derek had managed to garner a violent reputation , but Cole doubted any of it was true. He didn’t strike Cole as a bad kid, per se, just lonely; human contact was not his forte.
    “Congratulations,” Derek said. “You’re the biggest loser in this school.”
    Without making eye contact, Cole turned to avoid Derek, but Derek sidestepped into his path.
    “I don’t think so,” Derek said. “I need to have a word with you.”
    Cole had had enough of this game and of this dimwit. He looked up at Derek with a mixture of disinterest and impatience. “Yeah, what do you want?”
    Derek smiled. “Good, now I have your attention. But don’t give me that attitude. You running home to your mommy, freak?”
    “Uh huh. See ya later.” Cole tried to walk away again, but Derek stayed in front of him.
    “Why don’t you ever get angry?”
    Cole sighed. “Um…sorry.”
    Derek raised a fist. “I’m going to kill you.”
    “Hi Mrs. Kreplowsky,” Cole said to a passing teacher. Derek's fist dropped to his side.
    She stopped and looked down at them, confused, since Cole had never had her as a teacher. “Hi,” she said. “Are you looking for somebody?”
    “No, I’m good thanks,” Cole said as he fell in step beside her.
    “This isn’t over,” Derek whispered to Cole as he walked away. “I’ll see you in gym tomorrow. Just you wait.”
    Cole walked away smiling. He knew he had broken the cardinal rule about ignoring bullies, but Derek had never frightened him. Plus, it felt so good to outsmart Derek at his own game.
    Cole was certain that Beth would forget to pick him up at school, but to his surprise, she was waiting there when he stepped out of the building. She was far from thrilled, but nonetheless, there. “Hi. Thanks for getting me,” he said as he climbed in to the passenger seat.
    “Couldn’t just leave you stranded at school. Come on. Hurry up.”
    Cole didn’t ask what the rush was. He knew there was none.
    That night he gagged down his dinner without a word and cooped himself up in the library for