The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Author:Wendelin Van Draanen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: 2011-01-10T22:00:00+00:00

I’M STILL IN A COMPLETE FUNK the next day, and in no mood for icy Ms. Rucker.

“Jessica,” she says after the tardy bell rings, “when are you planning to return to your regular seat?”

It’s true that I’m moving around on my crutches much better than I used to.

It’s true that the reason she sat me back with Rosa was because I was in a wheelchair.

It’s true that other people with crutches just sit in their regular seats.

And I am getting my leg today.

But days ago, I decided—I’m staying at Rosa’s table. Even when I’m walking again, I’m staying.

“I’m not,” I tell her, and I’m surprised by the sound of my own voice.

It’s confident.

With a twinge of defiance.

Ms. Rucker holds my gaze. “I think it might be better for Rosa if you took your assigned seat.”

“No!” Rosa says, and everyone turns to look at her. “I like her here,” Rosa says in her underwatery tones. “Please.”

Ms. Rucker frowns, then looks from me to Rosa and back again. “Then the note writing has got to stop.”

I look at Rosa.

Rosa looks at me.

Our faces both say Oops!

“Fine,” I say to Ms. Rucker. “But she’s just been helping me keep up. Rosa’s a math genius, you know.”

Ms. Rucker studies me. “Yes, I’m aware of that,” she says, and decides not to argue with me about the content of our notes, even though she knows I’m fibbing. “Math lab would be a more constructive option,” she says with one eyebrow arched high. Then she begins writing on the board.

Rosa immediately slips me a note.

Thanks.

I smile at her. And for the first time since the track meet, I smile inside, too.

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