PETCHALL: Open them up then and if you haven’t brought them you were asked to, so no fussing. Hope you have a late note, Tamara.

TAMARA: They’re reading, Ezie stammers as he reads out loud—The Outsiders greasers and socs—something a sped could read a book for speds words like pus dripping slowly from a rotten cut.

PETCHALL: Sit down, Tamara, everyone listening/

TAMARA: Squid in class before me for the first time ever mouths:/ Where you been?

SQUID: Where you been?

Where you been?

TAMARA: Knock on the door.

Dumb little messenger with a bowl cut holds a pink release note get-out-of-jail card.

PETCHALL: Tamara.

TAMARA: Yes Miss?

PETCHALL: You need to see Mr Rowney after the lesson. About the exam.

TAMARA: Yes Miss. Squid still staring at me, raises his eyebrow.

A bell rings.

SQUID: Where you been?

TAMARA: Tell you later. Gotta see Rowney.

SQUID: Tell me now/

TAMARA: Leave me alone.

Wait outside the office door.

PETCHALL: No barging in today./

TAMARA: No tears no drama not today and I’m in my uniform.

Smell of pies from the canteen drifts down the hall, shut my eyes/

PETCHALL: Tamara.

TAMARA: Following me, Miss?

PETCHALL: You look tired.

TAMARA: A bit.

PETCHALL: Not sleeping well?

TAMARA: You could say that.

PETCHALL: Did you/

TAMARA: I had breakfast.

PETCHALL: Good.

What happened to you yesterday?

You disappeared. I think you should have a talk with Miss Dietz?

TAMARA: No-one speaks with her, kids run rings around her make-up stories, fake shit.

PETCHALL: That’s not very kind.

TAMARA: So?

PETCHALL: Miss Dietz might be able to help.

TAMARA: She stinks of smokes.

PETCHALL: So do you.

Miss Dietz can help you if you go and see her.

TAMARA: Rather speak to you.

PETCHALL: Your mum came up to the school this morning.

TAMARA: Ha.

PETCHALL: She’s worried about you.

TAMARA: Yeah right.

Worried I’ll turn out like her?

PETCHALL: She called—said you haven’t been home.

TAMARA: How would she know?

PETCHALL: She’s come to look after you while your father is in hospital.

Where did you sleep? Tamara, where did you stay?

TAMARA: Kids in other places in the school write shit add shit bake shit burn shit—

Not saying nothing.

PETCHALL: Tamara?

TAMARA: Not going to tell you if you’re going to tell her.

PETCHALL: I just need to know/

TAMARA: What?

PETCHALL: Where you’re staying.

Tamara?

TAMARA: With a friend.

PETCHALL: You’re only fifteen, Tamara.

TAMARA: So? Don’t need this right now.

PETCHALL: I’m sorry?

TAMARA: You heard me.

PETCHALL: We just need to know you’re safe.

Is it with Jasyn? Are you staying with him?

TAMARA: As if I’d stay there.

PETCHALL: Where then? The school has a legal/ obligations.

TAMARA: Just leave me alone. I’m fine.

PETCHALL: Tamara.

TAMARA: I don’t have to say.