The rain stuck to the wide, school window like guilt. Charlie leaned against it, his head kneaded into the pane. His long frame was hunched like a cave. Huddles buzzing with afterschool relief distanced themselves from Charlie.
He glanced back at a girl, “What time is it,” Name? Sadie., “Sadie?” She blinked, unresponsive to his order.
“Four,” she snapped after pulling out her cellphone. She flicked her red hair and rejoined her conversation with an annoyed glance at Charlie’s direction. Charlie didn’t thank her. Outside, a red minivan honked its horn. Why wouldn’t he be late?
Charlie snatched the back pack at his feet and flung himself into the afternoon rain. He gave a feeble rap on the locked door then heard the shift of the car unlocking. Charlie slid into the backseat; today wasn’t a shotgun day. His wet chin rested on his chest, “I’ve got myself a detention. Saturday,”
“Swell,”
Charlie flinched at Dad’s sarcasm. The windshield wipers swished the bullets of rain from the car.