As we walked toward the main building, I noticed something else unusual. Tommy wasn't waiting by his locker like he had every school day for the past three years. My fat friend was more reliable than atomic clocks when it came to morning routines.
Weird!! Really weird, something was off!
I pulled out my phone and called him.
"Peter!" Tommy's voice sounded tired and slightly hoarse. "Dude, I was just thinking about you."
"Where are you? You're never late for school."
"Had this family thing yesterday, man. Cousin's quinceañera that turned into some kind of endurance test. Got home at like 2 AM and felt like death warmed over this morning. Mom said I could stay home."
'Tommy missing school for a family party. That's actually normal Tommy behavior.'
"Fair enough," I said. "Rest up, man."
