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"Stupid stuff," I replied. "I wouldn't honor it by

repeating a word." He nodded.

"That was why I didn't bother you all day. I was

afraid of something like that. I know I'm the source of

amusement for many of these yahoos."

I laughed at his reference to Gulliver's Travels,

which we had been studying in English-- yahoos

were human creatures who were dirtier and more

stupid than talking horses.

"I just thought what you and I did wasn't any of

their business." he continued. "I thought-- no.

correction. I knew they would pick on you if you had

anything to do with me."

"You didn't have to worry about me," I said, my

eyes narrowing with angry determination. "They don't

bother me. I can take care of myself."

He nodded.

"I wasn't worrying about that. I was worrying

that you would..."

"What?"

"Get driven away and change your mind." he

admitted. He looked back so he could avoid my eyes. "I'm not that easily influenced. Chandler. I'm

not going to go out with someone or not go out with

someone because of what they think. I have a mind of

my own," I insisted. You should have known that." He looked at me and nodded.

"I do now," he said, and then we both laughed.

It felt good. It felt as if I had been holding in some

happiness the whole day and it was

ready to explode. "I'll take you home," he said, and we left the

building.