"That's what you say here," he said bitterly. "Sure, we've been in the same classes. You know me, so you try to be decent. But what do you really think? And how about everyone else? You think they're being all nice and understanding about this?" He snorted.
"Know why I'm not in class now? Got no class to go to. I was in Civics Four this period. They threw me out. Faculty advisor said I'd do better in ... in some Shop Study."
Don frowned. "Funny," he said. "You always got good grades. No trouble that way?"
"Of course not." Pete spread his hands. "I——"
A low snicker interrupted the words and Don looked around, to see Gerry Kelton close by. Behind him were his brother and Maurie. Gerry laughed derisively.
"Go ahead," he commented, "let him talk. You might learn something from the little——"
Don motioned impatiently with his head.
"Get going, you three," he said sharply. "You've got less than a minute before late bell."
"Sure we have," Gerry told him. "We might even be late to class. Now wouldn't that be awful? Some jerk wants to write up a bunch of lousy report slips, make him look good, we're——"
"Move!" Michaels' voice rose sharply. "Don't try that one on me. It's been tried before. Doesn't work."