"Great work Rolo." complimented Mr. Sanderson.

[color=orange]"Thank you sir."[/color] he replied. The compliment made him feel embarrassed yet proud. It was always nice to have ones good work given the recognition it deserved. But this particular discipline really cramped his style.

The tiny birdhouse was an endearing little treasure to behold. Built in the traditional German style, it evoked a sense of warmth and old world charm. The paint betrayed neither smudge nor brushstroke. It was so richly and expertly detailed, that one couldn't help but think it crafted by a master craftsman. Truly, it was Rolos proudest achievement yet. 

Rolo couldn't decide which was more emabarassing. That he was good at handicrafts or that he enjoyed it more than anything else. If only the fellas found out. He would never hear the end of it. Especially from Switch and Divo. Those guys really steamed his clams at times. Down beneath the boardwalk yesterday afternoon they really let him have it. It was a long time since he last felt that embarrassed. Few are brave enough to laugh at Rolo. Nobody outside the Salt Bay Turbos dared to.

Fortunately, he was the only one out of Switch, Divo, and the boss to take woodworking class. The couple of other members of the Turbos who were also in the class kept their mouths shut, for their own sakes. That way, nobody important bore witness to his more sensitive side. 

The metalworking class was completely full. That's the class all the fellas took. Being greasers and all, it was their thing. It was unfortunate that he wasn't there to sign up for the elective classes he wanted that year. He was way too busy eating half a dozen hotdogs he stole from the cafeteria in one of the boys lavatories. Of course, poor Rolo felt left out, but it did give him a chance to make up some funny stories about his time in woodworking class. Mostly though, he told the fellas that he routinely skipped it to have a smoke out the back of the school building. In truth, he attended each class religiously. 

The bell rang, signalling the end of period. Rolo perched his birdhouse gingerly onto the display shelf of the woodworking classroom. He may very well be getting his first A ever. 

He filed out of the room with the rest of the students, with a slight skip in his step. 

A short time later, Rolo noticed a couple of pip squeaks slapping each other around in front of some lockers. He decided to stop in his tracks to see which one would reign triumphant. Such a little scrap filled Rolo with a sense of nostalgia. Plus, he found it fun watching little twerps duke it out.