Chapter 42

Scooter

When I got to school the next morning, it was clear that something was different. For the last few weeks I hadn’t been able to walk down the hall without getting a friendly clap on the shoulder. But today something was definitely wrong.

A few guys bumped into me. Most just steered clear of me.

I wondered if I was imagining things until the comments started.

“His scholarship, man?”

“His girlfriend?”

“Seriously. What’s the matter with you?”

These comments kept coming throughout the morning. It seemed pointless to defend myself. There was no way they’d believe me.

The only thing I could think to do was talk to the guy who was spreading the rumors.

***

“Jeff?” I said at lunch. “Can we talk?”

He was sitting with the rest of the team at one of the long tables in the cafeteria. He didn’t bother turning around.

“Oh. So now you want to talk?” he said.

“Look, Jeff—”

“The kid who never says anything suddenly has a lot he needs to say?”

“It’s not—”

“Not what I think?” Jeff interrupted. “Is that what you’re about to tell me? I think I took you on my college visit and you ended up with my scholarship. I think you’ve been hanging out with Morgyn behind my back. That’s what I think. Are you saying I’m wrong?”

He was clearly furious. I could hear it in his voice.

“No,” I said. “I mean, sort of. I mean—”

“In that case, I sort of forgive you. But I mostly think you’re a scumbag.”

“Look. Can we—”

That’s when a couple guys stood up from the table. One of them put his hand on my chest and pushed. “Haven’t you done enough, man?” he said.

“I just need to clear this up with Jeff,” I said.

“Time’s up,” said the other guy.

“This is stupid. If I just had a few minutes I could—What are you doing? Are you kidding me?”

What they were doing was picking me up. The two of them carried me out of the cafeteria like I was some little kid having a temper tantrum. They put me down in the middle of a hallway.

“It’s probably best that you stay clear of the cafeteria today,” Cordell said.

They both walked away.

“See you at the game tonight,” Mike said.

I couldn’t help thinking it sounded like a threat.