ol；　but　in　the　woods；　where　he　often　escaped　alone；　trying　to　shut　out　the　sights；　sounds　and　smells　of　his　alcoholic　home。　No　one　checked　on　him　to　see　if　he　was　safe。　No　one　knew　he　was　gone；　because　no　one　was　sober　enough　to　care。　Oddly；　Steve　never　missed　a　day　of　school。

One　day；　Miss　White’s　impatient　voice　broke　into　his　daydreams。

“Steve！！”　Startled；　he　turned　to　look　at　her。

“Pay　attention！”

Steve　locked　his　gaze　on　Miss　White　with　adolescent2　adoration；　as　she　began　to　go　over　the　test　results　for　the　seventh　grade。

“You　all　did　pretty　well；”　she　told　the　class；“except　for　one　boy；　and　it　breaks　my　heart　to　tell　you　this；　but。。。”　She　hesitated；　pinning　Steve　to　his　seat　with　a　sharp　stare；　her　eyes　searching　his　face。

“The　smartest　boy　in　the　seventh　grade　is　failing　my　class！”

She　just　stared　at　Steve；　as　the　class　spun　around　for　a　good　look。　Steve　dropped　his　eyes　and　carefully　examined　his　fingertips。

After　that；　it　was　war！！　Steve　still　wouldn’t　do　his　homework。　Even　as　the　punishments　became　more　severe；　he　remained　stubborn3。

“Just　try　it！　ONE　WEEK！”　He　was　unmoved。

“You’re　smart　enough！　You’ll　see　a　change！”　Nothing　fazed　him。

“Give　yourself　a　chance！　Don’t　give　up　on　your　life！”　Nothing。

“Steve！　Please！　I　care　about　you！”

Wow！　Suddenly；　Steve　got　it！！　Someone　cared　about　him？　Someone；　totally　unattainable　and　perfect；　CARED　ABOUT　HIM？？！！

Steve　went　home　from　s