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I give a slight nod, hoping he’ll go away once I’ve answered his question

"Then you’ve got about five seconds to vacate this table"

I can feel Garrick twitching beside ravy-smeared butter knife is in his hand Do Lessers even kno to fight?

"Don’t rowl at Garrick in a low voice "Letto burn into the wood surface as I grip the edge of the green cafeteria table Not so hard, I rehtly as the boy comes around the table and stands in front of ht is truly what this boy is looking for, it will not end well for either of us

"I told you to get lost"

Electric heat courses through my body, but I stay silent, with my shoulders hunched forward I don’t dare respond Not out of fear of this boy--but out of fear ofin this rooain

"Do you need me to count to five for you?" he asks

I try to keepon top of my mashed potatoes I can only hope Garrick will follow my lead and stay still

"I’ to you, creep" The boy leans down and pushes his face right up to mine He shovesinto both my and Garrick’s laps

Garrick shoots up from his seat His fists are clenched and red

"I said not to rip the table harder--alertips Garrick steps back and loosens his fists, but I need to do solasses Gravy and bits of corn ooze down ry boy He is not nearly as big as he is acting I square ht inches taller than him, and look him in the eye

But the boy doesn’t back down He sends a fist flying at h tiht now, the electrical current that would leave my hands could kill hi s wildly at the air above oes for a lower blow, and I twist out of the way

The boy’s eyes widen, and for a split second, the angry look on his face wavers, and I realize he is not nearly as brave as he’s pretending to be He raises his fists to block his face, thinking I’ to retaliate

"If you want our lunch table, then you can have it," I say as calm and coolly as I possibly can, but I can feel y "No harm done"

"No harive a crap where you sit As long as it’s nowhere near this town" His voice is shaky, but he stands his ground "I know you don’t belong here," he says "So I suggest you and your friend go back to where you caets done"