"Yeah, well. 's not like there's much point in even coming here most of the time. Teachers don't give a crap whether or not anyone shows up or does their work." He found he actually envied this girl who wasn't even bothering to pretend to put any effort toward something she didn't care about. There'd been plenty of times he'd thought about skipping school, but the thought of his dad's disappointment when he inevitably found out dashed the idea from his head every time.

Still, not a day went by that he wasn't filled with a profound if muted rage about the town's indifference and the fact that he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life sitting in the middle of it. He scowled at the rag still soaking up his spilled soda. "Nobody in this town gives a damn about anything."