What does the author Wes do to dispel the perception of his identity as a private school student in The Other Wes Moore?

Wes pretends like he has a lot of control at Riverdale and like he runs the school to dispel his identity as a private school student.
Most of the kids in the neighborhood go to public school; Wes and his friend Justin go to the private school Riverdale Country School. He considers it a bit embarrassing because the school you go to defines part of your reputation in that area of the Bronx. So he decides to make up a story about his time there.
He tells the boys that he has the "place on lock" and that he runs it. Justin looks at him with amazement and skepticism. So Wes explains how he was suspended for fighting—though he does make the details more salacious. He says that the boy was being disrespectful and that he slammed him into the ground before taunting him and daring him to rise.
The boys realize that it isn't true by looking at Justin's expression. Moore says his attempts at creating that reputation backfired, and he was mocked by the other boys.