Jon paused for a moment to gather his courage and then said "Yes. I have." Jon said. After a pause, he continued, "If you think I can play the part, and if you can protect me from being picked upon, I'll do it."
"Great." Mrs. Rose said. "I was pretty sure you would do it. I just know you will enjoy this play Jon." Turning back to her desk, she picked up two copies of the play's script. "Here is a script for you Karyn and one for you Jon. You two have just about the most lines to remember. And since a lot of them are with each other, you can practice together. Thank you for doing this Jon. I am sure you won't be sorry."
Jon wasn't so sure that he wouldn't be sorry, but he decided not to worry about what he couldn't change.
The rest of Jon's morning went pretty much as other school mornings went. As Jon and Karyn neared the cafeteria for lunch two of the varsity football players stepped in front of them.
"I understand that you are going to be playing the lead in the class play." Said Justin, the team's star running back.
Jon felt fear as he looked up at the much bigger young man and his even bigger friend.
Fighting down his fears, Jon said (in a small voice), "Yes. I am."
"We want to talk to you about that." Said Robert, the team's star quarterback. "
