6: Dustin

“I am like the only guy in our class that reads a whole lot.”

It is fifteen minutes until the end of the school day and several of the boys in Mrs. Francis' freshman English class are joking and grabbing each other's books. “Excuse me!” she shouts. “I think I made it clear to read your free books if you finished your assignment.” Despite this reminder, the boys continue to laugh and push. In the middle of the group sits Dustin Cole, a fifteen-year-old boy with sandy brown short hair and silver-framed glasses balancing his chin on his hand while reading from his Louis L'Amour book. He seems to be oblivious to the chaos around him until the bell finally rings to end the period. Dustin returns his book to his backpack, shoves his hands inside the pockets of his wrestling sweatshirt, and exits the classroom, laughing at the boys who continue to push and shove.