Mr. Mallory leaned over the podium to glare down Callum, but the microphone still picked up everything he said. "Mr. Monroe, if you'll please be seated, I'd like to give you and the rest of your class your diplomas."

After several bobs of his Adam's apple and the ambush of unasked questions in his eyes, Callum glanced around to see the whole gymnasium staring at him. He quickly righted his chair and sat to a sprinkle of nervous snickers.

"The first row may proceed to ...