CHAPTER 41

HUDSON WAS STILL FLYING HIGH at the start of lunch. He stepped into the hallway and pictured Maggie’s smile when he’d left her at the bike rack. A week ago he didn’t have a single friend. Now he was pretty sure he had two. Even the sense that Mrs. Jackson was still looking for the kids involved in the fight seemed to have blown over. This was shaping up to be the best Friday since he’d started Southfield.

“Hudz!”

Pancake trotted up alongside him. “Eyes in the back of your head can’t help if you don’t keep them open, amigo. I called you like fifty times.”

He couldn’t risk getting sloppy.

“Have you noticed any other red shoes walking the halls this morning?”

Hudson grinned. “You. Me. Maggie. Cutter. The three from the bike rack. Who else?”

“Another three kids in my last class alone.” Pancake ticked off the names on his fingers. “That makes at least ten. And yesterday there was only Maggie.”

“This is good,” Hudson said. “Really good. We’re actually creating change.”

“Robin Hood lives.”

Hudson put a finger to his lips. He had a busy weekend planned for Robin Hood. This was no time for his secret to be discovered.

“Hudson.” Mr. Cutter trotted up. “Got a minute?”

Hudson stopped. He had a really bad feeling about this.

“Why don’t you meet Hudson in the lunchroom, Pancake. I’ll only delay him for a couple of minutes.”

So this needed to be a more private conversation. Terrific.

Pancake gave Hudson a wide-eyed look and left.

“Let’s go where we can talk.” Mr. Cutter looked down the crowded hall. “Follow me.” He steered Hudson toward the door leading down to the art room.

Six of the Seven Dwarfs greeted Hudson with smiles. Hopefully a good sign?

The art room was empty —no students anyway. Mr. Mann stood at a nearby table with a paintbrush in his hand. A wood cutout of Superman lay half-painted —fists forward and flying right at him. Just like the one already hanging from the ceiling.

Mr. Mann followed Hudson’s gaze. “Making it for a friend.”

Cutter motioned to Mr. Mann. “Mind if we talk down here for a few minutes?”

Mann smiled. “Best place in the entire building for a heart-to-heart. Just pretend I’m not here.”

Cutter sat on a stool and motioned for Hudson to do the same. He looked directly at Hudson. “So tell me what you’ve been up to.”