Friday, Calculus. Last class of the day, Coach Wilson taught it. Joe sat down in his desk and pulled out his text book. The bell rang. He had made it through the entire week without running into Christy. Of course he had feigned a stomachache during the pep rally, so he wouldn’t have any contact with her. Tonight he would have to see her, but cheerleaders weren’t allowed to talk to players on the field. So he would be safe, at least during the game.

  At his desk, Coach Wilson reached for the role sheet. When he saw Joe he asked, “How you feeling, Joe?”

  “Fine, now.”

  “Glad to hear it. When you missed the pep rally I almost called your mama to check on you.”

  Thank God he hadn’t done that. Mama would have fetched him home and poured chicken noodle soup down his throat till he drowned.

  Coach asked, “What was wrong?”

  “Stomachache.”

  Alarmed Coach asked, “Did you take something for it?”

  “Its fine now, don’t worry.”

  “Well you tell me if you need anything.”

  Joe nodded.

  Coach Wilson handed out worksheets. Joe struggled through his. Even with his calculator he couldn't do this stuff. In front of him, he noticed Morrow was struggling too. There were erasure crumbs all over her desk.

  The hands on the clock moved slowly. Joe couldn’t wait for the bell to ring.

  Coach Wilson took up the worksheets. “Don’t forget you have a test on Monday.”

  Everyone stuffed their books into their backpacks. The bell rang. The day, the week was over. Joe rushed into the hallway and ran right into Christy Thorton. Her eyes opened wide in surprise, then filled with anger. “Watch where you are going.”

  “Sorry.” He took a step away from her.

  Acid filled her words as she glanced back at her cheerleader posse and said, “Joe's gay.”

  The heat of anger rose inside of Joe.

  The girls started to giggle.

  Joe’s fingers curled into a fist. He glared at the girls. One was not giggling. Danita. She moved from the cheerleaders and went to his side. Softly she said, Hey, Joe." Then she did something totally unexpected she tiptoed and kissed his cheek. The gesture cooled his anger. Tingles radiated from his cheek.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Danita’s eyes smiled. She batted her long curly black lashes.

  Christy said, “The guy has wings Danita, a wand and fairy dust.”

  In an even voice Danita said, “I’ll see you tonight Christy. Come on Joe.” She slipped her fingers through his and led him to her locker.

  Mesmerized, Joe stared down at her. He had known Danita’s entire life. He never expected her touch could make him feel like he felt right now. Her fingers slipped out of his. She stuffed her books in her locker and said, “"Don't listen to that girl, she is all kinds of prejudice. If a body ain't white, straight and rich she hates them. She's mean. Let it go, Joe.”

  Mesmerized by her, Joe nodded. There was something about her warm brown skin, her perfect teeth and man she smelled good. Her body curved in all the right places. His eyes strayed to her lips, lips that had so recently made contact with his skin. He touched her face with the palm of his hand. Her beautiful brown eyes held soft light. He leaned close and said, “Thank you.” An inch was all that separated them. Just a little closer...

  Danita blushed and pulled away from his hand. First he was hurt, then he saw Darryl coming. Darryl would not like him kissing his little sister.

  “Hey man what you doing here with the Stick?”

  Danita punched her brother in the arm. “Mama told you not to call me that.”

  Darryl frowned.

  Joe laughed and said. “She don’t look like no stick, or haven’t you noticed?”

  “Man, that’s gross.” He turned to Danita and said, “Isn’t there some place you need to be?”

  “Shoot! Yes, I got drama practice.” Danita slammed her locker closed. She stole a glance at Joe, and then ran down the hall.

  Joe watched her until Darryl slapped him upside the head. “Don’t you be getting’ no ideas about my sister.”

  Getting ideas? He already had ideas. Plenty of them.