chapter797

"So you really got Fred in trouble? Please, he's useless anyway. Always talking big about his stepdad in the Capital like that actually means something, but look at him now."

Nolan walked right up to Luke, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and held it out. Come on, have one."

Luke shook his head, frowning. "I don't smoke."

Nolan just smirked. "You're turning down my offer? Seriously, Luke? Do you really think your family is still some big deal from that tiny hometown of yours?"

"Nolan, enough." Luke knew moving into the dorms meant he'd have to deal with stuff like this, but he'd never been one to back down from a fight.

Nolan shot him a look. "My dad teaches at this school, you know. Making me mad isn't going to end well for you. Just take the cigarette and we'll call it even, roommates and all."

The real reason Nolan wanted Luke to break the rules with them was so Luke wouldn't have anything to report them for later. Their dorm supervisor already had it out for his dad and was always looking for a chance to catch them. That's why they freaked out earlier when Lydia and Luke walked in.

Luke looked annoyed and pushed Nolan's hand away. "I said no. Health reasons." He used to smoke, sure. But not anymore. He was done with that.

Nolan glanced at the others. "Guess Luke's just shy because he's new. Maybe we should help him out. It'd be a shame to waste a good smoke."

Walter, who was sitting next to Nolan, jumped in right away. "Yeah, man. Good stuff should be shared."

Nolan grinned wider. "Walter, Gary, hold him. I already lit this cigarette. He's going to smoke it, like it or not."

He barely finished talking before the dorm door swung open with a loud bang.

"Nolan!"

The second he heard that voice, Nolan flinched. He turned to see Lydia standing in the doorway with their dorm supervisor, Mr. Bush.

Uh... Mr. Bush..." Nolan stammered, quickly hiding the cigarette behind his back. The others scrambled to stand up straight, heads down, too scared to breathe.

Mr. Bush wasn't just their dorm supervisor. He was also the PE teacher, and everyone knew he was a retired soldier. He was tough, fair, and impossible to bribe. It didn't matter that Nolan's dad worked at the school-Mr. Bush treated

everyone the same.

"Nolan, this is the third time. Not only are you breaking the rules by smoking in the dorm, but you're trying to force your new roommate to join in?"

Nolan rushed to explain. "Mr. Bush, it's not what it looks like, we weren't "

"I saw everything. Don't lie to me. Nolan, call your parents right now. You're moving out. I won't let you ruin things for everyone else here."

Nolan had only wanted to live in the dorms to get away from his parents and have some freedom, plus he could sleep in a bit. But now Mr. Bush wanted him kicked out? No way.

He glared at Luke. If Luke hadn't shown up, none of this would be happening.

"Mr. Bush, come on, please don't call our parents this time. We swear, we won't do it again."

Mr. Bush didn't even budge. You

already had your warning. There are

no more second chances. And you

just tried to gang up on a new student. That's bullying plain and

simple. Your

nts are getting

caffed, end of story."

Nolan couldn't believe how stubborn

1.n

Mr. Bush was being. He snapped. "So what if you call my dad? What you think you can actually do something? Just because of this siekly loser

So you're justa dora

supervisor. You think you can get rid of me? Who do you think you are?"