Melissa said earlier that same Thursday at school. “Thanks for the pep talk,” Dave muttered, shaking his head. They lingered outside the door to Mr. Millen’s classroom. Dave was leaning against the tile wall, his black hair scragglier than usual, his dark eyes red rimmed, ringed with dark half circles. “I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Dave said, scratching his jaw. “This math exam. I’m really sweating it.” Melissa tsk-tsked sympathetically. “Hey, how’s it going, Kinley?” Donald Metcalf gave Dave a hearty punch on the shoulder as he headed into Millen’s classroom. “You going to ace this test?” “Yeah. I’ll ace it if I don’t copy off you!” Dave replied, rubbing his shoulder. “Metcalf is really a big ox,” he whispered to Melissa. “You’re in a great mood,” Melissa said sarcastically. “Metcalf is your buddy, remember? From the wrestling team?” “I’m sorry I talked my parents out of getting me that math tutor,” Dave confessed, changing the subject back to the exam.
