rung. He walked down the hall thinking, I could go back home, but I might just as well go on in and face them … guess they'll crack some smart remark about my being late … I wish I didn't feel like a stranger walking into that darn room. I wish I was at my desk. I'll go home … no … I'd better not," he thought suddenly. "If I go home I won't see Bob … I've just got to see him … wonder if he saw me last night … wonder what he thinks if he did …"
He opened the door and walked to his desk.
"Gaylord, let's try and be on time," the teacher said before he had a chance to sit down.
"I'm sorry, Miss Grey," he answered. "My watch must be slow." As he looked down at his watch, he heard several giggles.
"Let's leave just a little earlier from now on."
"Yes, ma'am."
He did not look about him. He was much too preoccupied with his books. He wondered if his teacher knew what had happened this morning … could the others read his mind? Was she at the dance last night? How many in this room were? "I hope they didn't see me," he prayed. "Oh God, I hope they didn't."
"Morning, Gay," whispered a feminine voice from behind him.
He turned his head slightly. "Morning, Joy," he answered shyly.
Wonder if she saw me? He didn't mind so much if she had. She wouldn't tell anyone or even let him know she had. But suppose one of the boys had heard the drunk. Nothing could be worse than that. Bet Bob wouldn't say anything. He didn't go around hurting people's feelings. There sure was something appealing about him. Anything he did was all right with everyone. Well, after all, why not? Wasn't he the star football player?
He thought of the time Blake's car battery had been dead and how he had asked for a push. He remembered Blake saying, "Gay, could you give me a push … Go easy so that your bumper doesn't get scratched …" What difference if it did. Blake was worth more than an old bumper to him. He was so glad that Blake had asked him, he didn't care about a few scratches …
The sun was up and beautiful over the school, and the small open windows between the wings caught its rays and sent them inside the cool classroom. In a corner a spider was already busy weaving a larger
