And then he stomped off down the hall to his classroom. I couldn’t quite believe what just happened. We got attacked by journalists and my mom just left? I guess I was happy she got away, but what the heck?

I waited until I felt steadier on my feet and then went into the bathroom to fix myself up after Fisherman tackle-saved me. Also, to be honest, I was worried I might start crying or something.

The guys in the bathroom stopped talking when I walked in.

I felt dumb with them all staring at me, so I just took a piece of paper towel and left. They all started talking again when I left.

Same thing in class. Everyone shut up as soon as I walked in, including Dave and Rigmor, who were in the same class. Rigmor waved, but it was a small wave.

I didn’t say hello to anyone or wave back. I’m not sure why not.

After I sat down, people started whispering again. Because she’s so tired, Mrs. Russo is always late.

While we waited, Lallie, the girl with the long blonde braids wrapped around her head who didn’t like my T-shirt on the first day, spoke up loud enough for the whole class to hear. Everyone stopped talking.

“I don’t feel safe with him here.”

At first, I didn’t even realize she was talking about me. She is always feeling very uncomfortable or unsafe about one thing or another.

“Not only is his father a predator, I think he looks at me funny too. My mom says that unclean thoughts and acts run in families.”

I stopped breathing.

Unclean thoughts and acts. That sounded terrible. Like something a person needed to be ashamed of. Also, “predator” didn’t seem good.

“Plus, the media circus,” said Lallie, and the way she said it I could tell she just learned those words. “It’s harming my educational opportunities. I felt unsafe when I had to walk through all those reporters on the way into school today. A few of those reporters asked me for an interview.”

Lallie’s skin is almost the same yellowish color as her hair and she has a pinched-up little face. Talking about how dangerous I was made her look happier than I’d ever seen her. She and Macii should be best friends, but they can’t stand each other. I don’t blame them. I’m not crazy about them either.

“I said no, because I had to go to class. But I may talk to them later. I might give them an exclusive.”

I felt my mouth fall open. What would Lallie talk to them about? Braid crowns? I’d never talked to her before, except on the first day about our pool. I definitely never looked at her in any bad way, other than to wonder how long her hair was that it could wrap around her head so many times.