#4 Truth and Nothing But by Stephanie Perry Moore Page A

I’ve been fortunate to do pretty well in school. I work at it, but textbooks help me. When I don’t have them, I’m handicapped.
    Summing up my story, I’m a Sharp girl who is on the ball—most of the time. To all the teens in the city, let’s be better. Let’s demand more, and let’s go get ours. If we don’t enjoy our youth, we’ll have nobody to blame but ourselves. Life isn’t always fair, but everything you go through can make you wiser, stronger, and better.
    The phone was ringing off the hook at my house. People loved my article, and actually, my parents were pretty proud. When Ms. Spears told me she was proud of me, I truly felt accomplished. My parents and the principal wanted to know exactly what I was talking about in terms of teachers helping students out on tests. While I only knew of one, it turned out there were a couple of others in the school not doing their job either. They were all dismissed.
    The school board put on their agenda to address the textbook issue. Lots of students said they were going to show up for the meeting in December to voice their concerns. Some parents claimed they didn’t even know we didn’t have books.
    When my phone rang and I saw it was Reese, my hands started shaking. “So you got my text message with my new number, huh?” I said.
    â€œI did. I also read your article. It’s good. You made a difference.”
    â€œAbout time I did something right,” I said, still feeling bad I condemned him like people did me.
    â€œWell, it’s time for us to move past that. We’ve got a playoff game tomorrow. If you’re up for it, I’d love for you to help me in the booth again.” He must’ve heard me laughing, cooing, and smiling through the phone because he said, “I guess that’s a yes.”
    It took forever for the game to begin. Reese and I were perched right beside our assistant principal again. I couldn’t believe we had to be close to the jerk.
    Reese saw him rolling his eyes our way, and Reese leaned in and said, “What I really liked about your article even more than the apology, was the fact that you said some things right. But you and I both know that there’s still something wrong at our school. We need to deal with it.”
    â€œYou think he’s still stealing money? He didn’t get caught.”
    â€œYou started cleaning house. We might as well take care of him too,” Reese said as I nodded.
    My sisters came by and told Reese they were sorry as well. He seemed to really appreciate that. He was being so sweet. He understood how we could have gotten it all mixed up.
    When halftime was approaching, we shut down the PTSA booth. We told the assistant principal good-bye, and when he thought we were gone, we went around the back of the concession stand. Just as he thought no one was looking, he started counting the money in the box. That was innocent enough until he took a few twenties and stashed them in his pocket. Reese recorded it all on his cell phone.
    We didn’t have to go far to look for Dr. Garner. He actually found us. “What are you two doing back here in the dark with a cell phone?”
    We said nothing. We just played the recording. The police who were on the premises to watch the game ushered our assistant principal away in handcuffs.
    My eyes spotted a Town Car. My face showed I was upset. Was my dad at the school again with Miss X?
    Reese touched me and asked, “What’s wrong? You can talk to me. You can tell me anything. I want you to be my girl.”
    I blushed and stroked his cheek letting him know I wanted that too. However, this was my family’s personal business. I couldn’t let Reese into my thoughts. Saying what I felt comfortable sharing, I said, “What do you do when you feel like your family is falling apart?”
    â€œAfter what we just went through? Even if it is, you can handle it,” Reese