Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Author:Donna Gephart [Gephart, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2016-05-03T00:00:00+00:00

ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE

In the crowded hallway at school, Tim and Dare stand at Tim’s open locker. They look happy, leaning against the row of lockers, talking. I wish I were standing with them. I remember how comfortable I felt talking with Tim at Dunkin’ Donuts that day before Vasquez and the guys came in. I remember how it felt like we had so much in common, like we could become good friends. He had been so nice to me right from the very first time meeting him. Vasquez and the guys are great to hang out with and all, but it’s not like I could tell them anything—not anything that matters. They don’t really listen or care about anything that’s serious. If I tried to tell them how I felt about something important, they’d just make fun of me. We only talk about basketball and girls and, to be honest, make fun of other people. I haven’t had a truly good friend since Phineas. But he’s not here now…so I head toward Tim and Dare.

Just to say hi. To see what happens.

Vasquez and a few of his friends suddenly rush through the crowd of kids. Vasquez slams Tim’s locker closed and screams, “Score!”

While Vasquez and the guys rush off, it feels like a stone is sinking to the bottom of my stomach. Why does he do things like that? Tim and Dare weren’t doing anything to them. They were just talking. And now they look miserable instead of happy. What if Tim’s fingers were in that locker when Vasquez slammed it? Or his head?

Dare calls after him, “Neanderthal,” which I think is a good comeback.

Tim, I notice, looks down and says nothing.

I can’t go over and say hi now because they’ll lump me in with the basketball guys, even though I’d never do anything mean like slam his locker.

So I steer a wide arc around them, looking at the floor the whole time.

—

At lunch, Vasquez and some of the guys throw fat red grapes at Tim. The guy whose lunch they’re taking them from, I notice, gets to eat only a couple of his own grapes, so I bet he’s not too happy that Vasquez and the guys decided to use them as ammunition. And I know Tim can’t be happy getting pelted with these abnormally large grapes. They must hurt, especially with how hard Vasquez is throwing them. Why isn’t there ever an adult around when this stuff is going on?

Dare is glaring hard at our table. Her eyes are like laser beams. If she could, I’ll bet she’d make our whole table burst into flames. And I wouldn’t blame her. She’s just sticking up for her friend. She’s not a stupid coward, like I am.

This must stink for Tim. I could get up right now and sit at their table. That would show Vasquez what I think of how he treats Tim. But I can’t. No way can I throw away something as amazing as making the team.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.