James nodded. "Yes ma'am." He resisted the urge to give a salute. "Eight thirty sharp." James wasn't so great at showing up places on time, but he might make an exception for once.
Once he was sure she wouldn't bite his head off for it, James scooted by the teacher and moved to scoop up his backpack, tossing it lazily over one shoulder.
This was the moment of truth, he realized. He could leave Mao behind and leave things the way they were, if a bit more relaxed, or he could suck it up and wait for the squirt to catch up. Sighing, he turned to look over his shoulder, brow raised. "Come on, idiot."