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           Idriftedtothelockerroom,changinginatrancelikestate,onlyvaguelyawarethattherewereotherpeoplesurroundingme.Realitydidn’tfullysetinuntilIwashandedaracket.Itwasn’theavy,yetitfeltveryunsafeinmyhand.Icouldseeafewoftheotherkidsinclasseyeingmefurtively.CoachClapporderedustopairupintoteams.

           Mercifully,somevestigesofMike’schivalrystillsurvived;hecametostandbesideme.

           "Doyouwanttobeateam?"

           "Thanks,Mike-youdon’thavetodothis,youknow."Igrimacedapologetically.

           "Don’tworry,I’llkeepoutofyourway."Hegrinned.SometimesitwassoeasytolikeMike.

           Itdidn’tgosmoothly.IsomehowmanagedtohitmyselfintheheadwithmyracketandclipMike’sshoulderonthesameswing.Ispenttherestofthehourinthebackcornerofthecourt,theracketheldsafelybehindmyback.Despitebeinghandicappedbyme,Mikewasprettygood;hewonthreegamesoutoffoursinglehandedly.Hegavemeanunearnedhighfive

           whenthecoachfinallyblewthewhistleendingclass.

           "So,"hesaidaswewalkedoffthecourt.

           "Sowhat?"

           "YouandCullen,huh?"heasked,histonerebellious.Mypreviousfeelingofaffectiondisappeared.

           "That’snoneofyourbusiness,Mike,"Iwarned,internallycursingJessicastraighttothefierypitsofHades.

           "Idon’tlikeit,"hemutteredanyway.

           "Youdon’thaveto,"Isnapped.

           "Helooksatyoulike...likeyou’resomethingtoeat,"hecontinued,ignoringme.