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you’ve worked it out. Great. Can I go now?”
    â€œYou’re annoyed.”
    â€œI’m not annoyed,” said Parker. He was very annoyed.
    The boy pursed his lips tightly in thought. Then, as if having come to a decision, he held his arm out to offer a handshake.
    â€œI’m Michael.”
    Parker shook his hand quickly. “I’m Parker. I’ve got—”
    â€œI know. You’re in my art class.”
    As soon as he said it, Parker remembered. Michael was perhaps the only boy worse at art than he was.
    â€œI’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get you angry,” said Michael.
    Parker stiffened. “I’m not angry—I’m just not in the mood for talking. Can I go now?”
    â€œYou shouldn’t let Aaron get to you,” said Michael, ignoring Parker’s question. “He’s weak. All bullies are. They need to bully other people to feel better about themselves. You did the right thing and you should feel good about that.”
    Parker pretended to think about this for a moment. “Okay,” he said finally. “Good pep talk. Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
    â€œI don’t let it bother me.”
    â€œYou don’t let what bother you?” asked Parker.
    â€œWhen Aaron and his friends take my money and stuff. I just remind myself that it’s evidence of their weakness. One day, I’ll be—”
    â€œWhat?” interrupted Parker. “You let them take your money?”
    â€œI don’t let them. I just don’t not let them.”
    â€œThat’s exactly the same thing. Don’t do that. Just tell them to get lost. Or tell a teacher or something.”
    Michael shrugged. “It’s no big deal, seriously. I can get more money, but I only have one face.”
    Parker tried to work out the logic in that before deciding that there was none. “You don’t have to choose between getting beaten up or giving them money. There are other options, you know. How long have they been taking your money?”
    Michael looked down at the floor. “Since I started here. In September.”
    â€œYou’re new? Where were you before?”
    â€œHomeschooled.”
    â€œAhh,” said Parker, nodding slowly. “That explains it.”
    â€œThat explains what?” It was Michael’s turn to sound defensive.
    â€œNo. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being homeschooled. It’s just you’re probably not used to standing up for yourself.”
    â€œWhat, like you did today?”
    â€œThat’s different. It took me by surprise. It won’t happen again.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do?”
    â€œI haven’t decided yet. Something.”
    â€œYou could just pay them to leave you alone.”
    â€œI’m not . . . oh,” said Parker, realizing that Michael was smiling. “Very funny. Seriously though, don’t give them any more money.”
    Michael shrugged and nodded. “I won’t,” he said.
    Something occurred to Parker. “Is that why you’re here? Are you hiding?”
    Michael looked offended. “No. I don’t skip classes. I have computer class, and the teacher asked me to help retrieve the data from this.”
    For the first time, Parker noticed that Michael was holding a hard drive.
    â€œIt failed?”
    â€œYeah, completely. I’ve tried everything. I think I’m just going to rebuild it from scratch.”
    â€œFreeze it.”
    â€œEh?”
    â€œIt might not work, but if you’ve tried everything else, it’s worth a go. Stick it in a bag and put it in the freezer, then try it again as soon as you get it out.”
    â€œCool. How do you know that?” asked Michael.
    The next thing Parker knew, he’d spent twenty minutes talking to Michael about computers. Michael, it turned out, was something of a genius when it came to programming but not quite as much of an expert