He was right to be scared, of course. Hed done this enough times to know that everyone would look over, curious about the new kid. Oliver had felt this sensation now more times than he cared to remember. He tried not to meet anyones eyes.

Who are you? a gruff voice said.

Oliver swirled to see the teacher, an old man with shockingly white hair, looking up at him from his desk.

Im Oliver. Oliver Blue. Im new here.

The teacher frowned. His beady eyes were black and suspicious. He regarded Oliver for an uncomfortably long time. Of course, this just added to Olivers stress, because now even more of his classmates were paying attention to him, and still more were streaming in through the door. A greater and greater audience watched him with curiosity, like he was some kind of spectacle at the circus.

Didnt know I was getting another one, the teacher said, finally, with an air of disdain. Wouldve been nice to have been informed. He sighed wearily, reminding Oliver of his father. Take a seat then. I suppose.

Oliver hurried to a spare seat, feeling everyones eyes following him. He tried to make himself as small as possible, as unobservable as possible. But of course he stood out like a sore thumb no matter how much he tried to hide. He was the new kid, after all.

With all the seats now filled, the teacher began his class.

Were carrying on with where we left off last class, he said. About grammar rules. Can someone please explain to Oscar what we were talking about?

Everyone started to laugh at his mistake.

Oliver felt his throat get tighter. Um, sorry to interrupt, but my name is Oliver, not Oscar

The teachers expression turned instantly cross. Oliver knew immediately that he wasnt the kind of man who appreciated being corrected.

When youve lived sixty-six years with a name like Mr. Portendorfer, the teacher said, glowering, you get over people pronouncing your name wrong. Profendoffer. Portenworten. Ive heard it all. So I suggest you, Oscar, ought to be less concerned about the correct pronunciation of your name!

Oliver raised his eyebrows, stunned into silence. Even the rest of his classmates seemed shocked by the outburst, because they werent even tittering with laughter. Mr. Portendorfers reaction was over the top by anyones standards, and for it to be directed at a new kid made it even worse. From the grumpy receptionist to the volatile English teacher, Oliver wondered if there was even a single nice person in this whole school!

Mr. Portendorfer began droning on about pronouns. Oliver hunkered down even further in his seat, feeling tense and unhappy. Luckily Mr. Portendorfer didnt pick on him anymore, but when the bell rang an hour later, his chastisement was still ringing in Olivers ears.