I was living in that small town, and even I didn't understand how serious my "crime" was. I was smart enough to only enter the library after school once my friends had gone home, but this one Friday someone's parents were late and he was waiting at the gate when I came out putting a book in my bag.

My friend Lachlan loyally refused to believe it, until he heard it confirmed from my lips next Monday. He turned away and never spoke to me again.

I still don't get it. I told them reading for fun was just something I did, and I didn't expect anyone else to do it or anything. Nick shook his head and asked me to promise not to do it again. I didn't.

The Nerds all read, of course. But I missed playing football.