Chapter 10

‘Do you want me to call your parents to come to pick you up from school?’

‘No, I’ll stay,’

‘I’d prefer you go home and put ice on your face, Magnus.’

‘Look, I’m staying, okay? If it makes you feel better, I’ll rest here for the next period until recess.’

‘Okay, well, I’ll get you an ice pack then.’

She returns a moment later and hands me the icepack; I hold it against my swollen black eye for the next hour. Then, finally, the recess bell goes. I toss the icepack onto Nurse Carla’s table and walk to the cafeteria. Students stare and whisper as I walk by them.

‘I heard he knocked Moss out and almost killed him.’

‘Well, I heard he picked Moss up with one hand and threw him halfway across the oval,’

Well, at least the whispers and rumours were to my liking. Entering the cafeteria, Claire lets out a gasp and races towards me. She cups my face.

‘Boo-boo, I heard there were rumours a fight broke out. I did not know it involved you. Oh, my poor snookums,’ she says, embracing me. I notice Nina