Infinity Read Free Page A

to mention she'd beat his butt royally for this.
    He dialed the number anyway.
    Nick ground his teeth as anger and fear whipped through his entire being.
    "Miss Gautier?" Could there be any more loathing in his tone? And did he always have to stress the fact that his mom had never married? That always embarrassed her to death. "I wanted to let you know that Nick is being suspended from school for the rest of the week."
    His stomach hit the floor. His mom was going to kill him when he got home. Why couldn't Peters just shoot him and put him out of his misery?
    Peters glared mercilessly at him. "No, he was fighting again, and I'm sick of his thinking he can come in here and attack decent people anytime he feels like it for no apparent reason. He has to learn to control his temper. Honestly, I'm tempted to call the police. In my opinion, he should be sent to public school where they can handle troubled kids like him. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He doesn't belong here."
    Nick died a little with every word. Kids like him...
    He zoned out so that he wouldn't have to hear the rest of Peters's tirade about how worthless he was. He already knew the truth in his heart. The last thing he needed was someone else voicing it.
    After a few minutes, Peters hung up the phone.
    Nick gave him a sullen stare. "I didn't start it."
    Peters curled his lip. "That's not what the others said. Who am I supposed to believe, Gautier? A hoodlum like you or four honor students?"
    He was supposed to believe the one telling the truth, which happened to be the hoodlum. "He insulted my mother."
    "That's no excuse for violence."
    That went down his spine like a shredder. The sanctimonious pig--Nick couldn't let that go unanswered. "Really? Well, you know, Mr. Peters, I saw your mom naked last night and for an old broad, she has really nice--"
    "How dare you!" he shouted, coming to his feet to grab Nick up by his shirt. "You foul-mouthed little--"
    "I thought you said insulting your mom was no excuse for violence."
    Peters trembled as rage mottled his skin. His grip tightened and a vein throbbed in his temple. "My mother isn't a Bourbon Street stripper. She's a good, God-fearing woman." He shoved Nick away from him. "Get your things and get out."
    God-fearing, huh? Strange how Nick and his mom went to mass every Sunday and at least twice during the week and the only time he ever saw Peters or his mom there was on holidays.
    Yeah .
    Hypocrite to the core. He despised people like Peters.
    Nick scooped his backpack up from the floor and left. There was a security guard waiting outside the office to escort him to his locker.
    Just like a criminal.
    Might as well get used to it. Some things ran in the blood. At least he's not handcuffing me.
    Yet.
    Hanging his head low, he tried not to look at anyone as the other students sniggered and whispered about him. "That's what happens when you come from trash." "I hope they don't let him back in." "Serves him right."
    Nick ground his teeth in anger as he neared his locker and reached for the combination lock.
    Brynna Addams was pulling her books out, two doors down. Tall with dark brown hair, she was very pretty and one of the few people who hung with Stone and crew that Nick could stand.
    She paused to look at them with a frown that only deepened when she saw the guard with him. "What's up, Nick?"
    "Got suspended." He paused before he swallowed his pride. Again. "Could I ask a favor?"
    She didn't hesitate. "Sure."
    "Could you get my assignments so that I don't fall behind?"
    "Absolutely. You want me to e-mail them to you?"
    And I stupidly thought I couldnt feel any worse. "Don't have a computer at home."
    Her cheeks darkened. "Sorry. Um, where do you need me to take them?"
    Nick was grateful she was decent--unlike the rest of the jerks she ran with. "I'll come by your house after school and get it."
    She wrote down her address while he pulled all of his books out. "I'll be home about four."
    "Thanks, Brynna. I