He spent the next hour reading through comments. The majority supported Logan and Cade. Some attacked Mr. Bartley. Those pissed him off. These people don’t know him, they don’t know our school, and they don’t know Cade and Logan, he thought. Several times, he wrote a response, then deleted it. But finally, he couldn’t help himself, and he posted his opinion under a pseudonym, of course, like everyone else. His comment was number 217.

“I’m a student at RHS and I really like Mr. Bartley. He makes learning interesting, so for all those people who say he’s a bad teacher and should be fired, you’re wrong. But just because I like Mr. Bartley doesn’t mean I support this assignment. Both the pro and con sides of the debate are morally wrong. On that, I’m with Logan and Cade. It’s a fact there are some racist students at our school. They hate Jews and Blacks and gays and they’ve said it. Unfortunately, this assignment supports and promotes their beliefs. Right now, students have the option of doing an alternative. I’ve read several comments saying this should be sufficient. Personally, I disagree. Since the alternative meets class requirements, it’s the best choice for everyone.”

Mason would prefer to do the alternative assignment, but what if his dad found out? Ever since Mason struck back, the tyrant found a more effective way of controlling him. Threatening his mother. He swallows hard, and as he watches Logan struggling, he hears his father’s firm directive to the team. “Anyone asks you about the assignment, you answer, ‘No comment.’ Your focus is hockey. STAY OUT OF IT!”

Towering over the crowd, Mason watches Logan. People are giving her a wide berth.

Reg laughs, and says, “They wanted the attention. They’re definitely getting it now.”

“The dog food was classic,” Jesse says.

Mason ignores them, refocuses on Logan until a girl walks by with big blue eyes rimmed with dark eyeliner, deep red lips, and long kickass blue hair. She stops three lockers from his, catches Mason staring, and sends him a shy smile.

“Heather? Heather Jameson?”

She blushes and nods.

“So, what do you think?” Reg asks Mason, pulling his gaze away from Heather.

Mason blinks at Reg. “About what?”

“You haven’t said anything about the article or Cade and Logan.”

Mason shrugs. “Didn’t read it.”

Spencer makes his way over. Half the hockey team stands and watches like Cade and Logan are a part of a sitcom. Mason can’t stand here anymore. He takes two steps away and stops. Dammit. He turns around and shoulders his way through the gawking crowd and into the crosshairs of Logan’s fury.

“Did you do this?”

The insult hits him hard, but he ignores it, ignores her. He can’t ignore the sticky notes.