Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Tru Parker - Today

ISAAC PRESSED ME UP against the school lockers, one hand behind the nape of my neck, the other flattened out next to my shoulder. His handspan was so wide it covered the breadth of the locker next to mine. I chewed on my lip with worry, knowing that Alton Lee, my locker neighbor, would be here any minute to exchange his books for his lunch. He was a small and jumpy sort of boy, easily intimidated by tall guys like Isaac, who was half Tongan. Sure enough, from the corner of my eye I saw Alton all but skip toward us before stopping short in astonishment, his eyeballs popping out with alarm. Several other students knocked into each other as they moved to avoid him. A stocky, unibrow boy shoved him out of the way with a foul curse. Alton quickly dropped his gaze and skittered back the way he had come.