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It was a strange thing, being seen .

Giggling has a different tone when it’s not mocking him.

Hollis could feel Walt preening inside him, but he was polite enough not to put words to it.

He sat Hollis closer to the front in most of his classes. Next to Timothy in English, and the other boy gave him a double take.

“We’re not friends now.”

Walt barely glanced at him. “I don’t need to be your friend to want to see the board better.”

Timothy sneered. “Strange timing for seat change is all.”

That’s one of Jorge’s friends, but he provided my alibi , Hollis explained quickly.

Walt raised an eyebrow at Timothy and turned away so Timothy would have to say his next line to Hollis’s shoulder.

“You’re still a freak.”

He sounds worried. Is being associated with you that much of an issue? Walt asked instead of responding.

Yes. Kind of.

Walt paused, and something twisted in their chest.

I’m sorry.

Why? For what?

That it’s been this hard to be you.

Hollis frowned.

I’m okay. I have Annie and Yulia, and it’s fine. You don’t have to apologize for it.

All the same.

Hollis didn’t know what to say to that, so he just stayed quiet. Walt let Timothy’s comment slide until right before the bell rang, then he faced him directly.

“We’re fine, Tim. Nothing is going to change. I didn’t want this any more than you do, and I wasn’t joking about the board,” he said, quiet enough for the rustling of papers and backpack zipping to drown out any eavesdropping. “Don’t talk to me unless you want me to talk back. But otherwise, we’re square.”

Timothy shook his head sharply and snatched his bag up. He turned toward the door, then paused and looked back.

“Jorge is out in three weeks. You gotta figure out what to do about that.”