"It's true. I'm sorry," he said. He looked at me. and I thought he really was sorry. "I didn't mean to get you into trouble. Jordan. It just came out."
"Yeah, you threw up your guts just like all cowards," Alanis said.
He looked like he was going to cry. Some of the students close by listened carefully and looked at him with disapproval.
"I told my father I was lying," he said. "I'm going to see Mrs. Browne first thing and tell her the same thing. I'm taking all the blame."
Alanis looked at him with some new interest.
"You better not be lying again. Stuart Gavin, 'cause if you are this time. I swear."
"No. You watch me. You can follow me to the office, if you want. I'm going right there and ask to speak with her as soon as I walk in the building."
"What are you going to tell her?"
"What you told her. She told my father your story. I came with the alcopops and you and your friends told me to leave. Then I crashed. I won't even mention giving Nikki and Raspberry a ride home."
Alanis nodded.
"Good," she said. "After you do that, I'm going to let Mrs. Browne have it between the eyes for accusing us and calling my granddad. He told my mother, but she was too drunk to understand." she whispered.
"I'm sorry, Jordan." Stuart said. I glanced at Alanis first, and then I nodded and smiled at him. I could see that made him very happy.
"He really likes you." Alanis whispered. "That's why he's doing it. He couldn't care a speck about me and Nikki and Raspberry. See." she added. "You already begun fishing and you already hooked him."
I looked at her and then at Stuart. I didn't know what I had done, but whatever it was, it made me feel good. I even suspected Ian would approve.
When we arrived at school, Alanis decided we should follow Stuart to see if he was telling the truth about what he was going to do. He didn't look back. He walked directly to the principal's office and went in.
"This will be interesting," Alanis said. "You'd better get to class. You don't want to be late for Mrs. Morgan. We'll group at lunch again and see what we can find out from Stuart."
I hurried to my classroom, getting there just before the first bell rang. Mrs. Morgan was at the door, ready to check my clothing, I thought, She looked me over carefully, then nodded. I went to my desk and took out my books. Before she went to her desk, she crossed the room and paused at mine.
"I understand. Miss March, that you're not here a day and you're already in serious trouble."
"No. I'm not," I said firmly.
She pulled her head back. "Oh?"
"You'll see," I said, my heart thumping, for I thought I might not be able to sound and look as brave as I wanted.
"Yes. I will see," she said. smiling. Everyone in the class was looking and listening.
When Mrs. Morgan passed the autobiographies around, mine was the most popular. I saw some of the students rushing others to finish reading it. As soon as one did, he or she looked at me again. Most looked very sad for me, but some just shook their heads.
Afterward. I did as well as anyone else in the room when it came to our homework and the questions Mrs. Morgan asked. She collected our papers, and we went on to do reading in our history textbooks. She then announced that we would have to buy physical education outfits, and she told how much it would cost. When the bell rang for lunch. I hurried out with the others, anxious to find out what Stuart had actually done.
"I bought you the same lunch you had yesterday with the fifty- dollar bill," Alanis told me as soon as I entered.
"I need thirty dollars for a physical education uniform."
"Yeah. I know. I'll have it for you. Don't worry. Just go to the table. I'm waiting for our hero."
I joined Nikki and Raspberry, who were already eating. How did they get here so fast? I wondered.
"I hope Stuart did what he said he would do," Nikki told me. "There he is."
I turned and saw Alanis talking to him. He nodded, and then she came to the table.