The War Between the Classes (Laurel-Leaf Contemporary Fiction) by Gloria Miklowitz

Author:Gloria Miklowitz [Miklowitz, Gloria]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2009-01-16T05:00:00+00:00

8

The way I figured, by Monday I'd be an Orange.

Why couldn't I accept being a Blue like the others and play out Otero's game the way he'd set it up? Why think mutiny when I'd never in my life opposed anything if it meant bringing attention to myself or being in disfavor?

Another thing. How could I, the superachiever, resist earning the most points by oppressing others so I'd win the prize when the class ended? It didn't make much sense, yet the thought of resistance grew and grew in me like a tumor you couldn't control.

Adam was away at his family's mountain home helping get it ready for ski season, so I couldn't talk it out with him. We wouldn't see each other until Monday. I knew he'd be gone, but Bettina told me something Adam hadn't.

“I passed the math test!” she cried, first thing, when she phoned Friday. “Isn't that super?”

“Wonderful! What did you get?”

Her voice dropped, but only for an instant. “Sixty-nine.” Then she hurried on, excited again. “Mama says you're to come back next week and tutor me some more.” Before I could digest that order, told so bluntly, she added, “We're leaving any minute on our trip to the mountains so I'll have to run. But did you know about that big party Adam's having Saturday night?”

“Party?” My mind lingered on the way Bettina gave me her mother's news.

“I bet Adam didn't tell you. He's got gobs of friends coming to stay over.”

Adam had invited friends for the weekend? Surprised and hurt that he'd said nothing to me, that I hadn't been invited, I didn't answer.

“Aren't you going to ask who's coming?” Bettina persisted.

“I have the feeling you'll tell me anyway,” I said.

Bettina giggled and I could almost see her counting off the names on her fingers. “There's Melissa and Justin, Eileen and Beth …”

Eileen? She was the girl Mrs. Tarcher always pushed at Adam. Pretty, bright, from one of the best families, she was so much better suited to him than I. Why was she at his party, staying over, and not me?

When I hung up, I didn't want to admit how puzzled and betrayed Bettina's news left me. And the feelings remained. On Saturday, as I toyed with thoughts of rebellion, I not only couldn't talk it out with Adam, but I wouldn't even have wanted to, had he been in town. Yet I had so much need to sort out my plans with someone, to hear that my instincts were right. That it wouldn't be a mistake to give up all the power of being a Blue for the nebulous hope that I could change things as an Orange.

I guess, out of this need, I turned to my father, even knowing in advance how he'd likely answer.

We were huddled together opposite each other at the chessboard in the living room Saturday night. I'd told him bits and pieces about the Color Game and my thoughts between plays. The weather had turned cold and it felt good to be indoors where it was bright and warm.

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