Page 38 of Bookworm

"No, Kent," he said. "Again,I'm fine. The doctor said Imay or may nothave a minor concussion"—I gasped—"and sprained wrist. It should be better in a few weeks.The head bandage was just a precaution."

Swallowing, I tried to hold back the tears that were suddenly welling-up in my eyes.

"I told you," the older woman repeated. "He got beat up."

"Halmeoni, please," he said.

My eyes moved to meet his, voice soft as a whisper as I said, "I am so sorry, Bo."

"Why're you sorry?" his grandmother said."You're not responsible."

"Actually," I said miserably, "I am."

Bo's mom joined us then. She waskind and beautiful, and I'd immediately liked her because her name was Snow, but her personality was like a warm blanket;I'd always appreciated the dichotomy. She'd always been nice to me, but now, she looked at me in concern.

"Charlotte?" shesaid. "Is everything okay? It feels like foreversince we talked."

I shook my head. "No, it's not okay," I said.

"What's going on here?" a new voice asked, and Bo's dad joined the other three in the doorway. Ash Stryker was tall like his son with the same lean torso and broad shoulders. His hair was blond, the exact opposite of Snow's, which was dark brown, and he had an easy smile. Still, Bo looked like both his parents, and his frown was even similar to his tiny grandmother's. Mr. Stryker took in the scene then pointed to my basket. "Hey, Charlotte. What do you have there?"

Taking a deep breath, I said, "It's an apology basket for your son, Mr. Stryker."

"You didn't have to do that, Kent," Bo said.

While Mrs. Stryker said, "That's so sweet," and Mr. Stryker said, "Nice. Are those muffins?"

Bo's grandma just looked on in silence.

"Also, I feel the need to confess," I added.

Bo shook his head, but I plunged ahead.

"Bo didn't get beaten up," I said miserably. "I did that tohim. With a book. It was all an accident, but it was my fault, and I feel absolutely terrible."

There was a moment of silence then…

"You did this?" Mrs. Stryker asked. "With a book, you said?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Were you aiming at his face when it happened?"

"No ma'am," I said. "I was on a library ladder, reading, and when he spoke, it startled me. Then I spun,slapped him with the book, started to fall, and…it just happened so fast."

Bo's grandmother stepped up to him, gestured for him to lean down.

"Is that true?" she asked.

When he nodded, she drew back her hand and knockedhim right in the back of the head. I winced along with Bo.

"Why didn't you duck?" she said. "You know how to block."

"It's true, Bo," his momsaid. "You've beenstudying mixed martial arts practically your whole life.When you see something coming, you don't just stand there."

Mr. Stryker put his hands on his hips. "Hey, the kid was faced with a completely unprovoked sneak attack"—at this, he turned to me—"no offense, Charlotte."

"None taken," I said.

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