Infinity Read Free

been going here long?" Kody asked.
    Work, tongue. Work. He finally choked an answer out. "Three years."
    "You like it?"
    Nick's gaze went to Stone and the others heading into the office. "Not today, I don't."
    She opened her mouth to speak, but Stone and crew surrounded her.
    "Hey, baby." Stone flashed her a cheesy grin. "You new meat?"
    Kody grimaced and sidestepped them. "Get away from me, you animals. You smell." She raked a repugnant stare over Stone's body and curled her lip. "Aren't you a little old for your mom to be picking out your clothes for you? Really? Shopping at the Children's Place at your age? I'm sure there's some third-grader dying to know who bought the last navy I-sore shirt."
    Nick bit back a laugh. Yeah, he really, really liked her.
    She went to stand by Nick and put her back against the wall so that she could keep an eye on Stone. "Sorry we got interrupted."
    Stone made a sound like he was about to vomit. "Why are you talking to the King Loser Dork? You want to talk about ugly? Look at what he's wearing."
    Nick cringed as Kody examined the sleeve of his shirt.
    "I like a man who takes fashion chances. It's the mark of someone who lives by his own code. A rebel." She cast a biting glare at Stone. "A real lone wolf is a lot sexier than a pack animal who follows orders and can't have an opinion unless someone else gives it to him."
    "Oooo," Stone's friends said in unison as she got the better of him.
    "Shut up!" Stone shoved at them. "No one asked you for your opinions."
    "Nekoda?" the secretary called. "We need to finish with your schedule."
    Kody gave Nick a last smile. "I'm in ninth grade." "Me too."
    Her smile widened. "Hope we have some classes together. Nice meeting you, Nick." She made sure to step on Stone's foot as she walked past him.
    Stone yelped and mumbled an insult for her under his breath. Then he and his three friends sat down in the chairs that were opposite Nick's.
    Ms. Pantall walked past them to go talk to Mr. Peters.
    They're going to cream me over this....
    As soon as she was gone, Stone tossed a wadded-up piece of paper at him. "Where did you get that shirt, Gautier? Goodwill or did you find it in a Dumpster? Nah, I bet you rolled a hobo for it. I know you people couldn't afford even something that tacky."
    Nick refused to rise to the bait this time. Besides, he could handle insults directed at him. It was the ones against his mom that elevated him to fighting mad.
    And this was why most private schools had uniforms. But Stone didn't want to wear one and since his father all but owned the school. .
    Nick got to be mocked for the clothes his mom thought were respectable. Why dont you ever listen to me, Mom? Just once...
    "What? No smart comeback?"
    Nick flipped him off. ... At the same exact moment Peters came out and saw him.
    Lady Luck is definitely on vacation today.
    "Gautier," Peters growled. "Get in here. Now!"
    With a heavy sigh, Nick got up and went inside the office he knew as well as his own home. Peters stayed outside, no doubt talking to Stone while he was forced to wait. He took the chair to the right and sat there, staring at the pictures of Peters's wife and kids. They had a nice house with a yard, and in one photo his daughters played with a white puppy.
    Nick stared at them. What would it be like to live that way? He'd always wanted a dog, but since they could barely afford to feed themselves, a pooch was out of the question. Not to mention their landlord would die if they had one in their rented condo even though there wasn't much more damage a dog could do to the run-down shack.
    After a few minutes, Peters came in and went to his desk. Without a word, he picked up the phone. Nick panicked. "What are you doing?" "I'm calling your mother."
    Terror ripped through him. "Please, Mr. Peters, don't do that. She had to work a double shift last night and tonight too. She's only going to get about four hours of sleep today and I don't want to worry her about nothing." Not