Knockout Games by G. Neri Page A

our first conversation would go. “You know this is the first time you ever spoke to me, right?” I said louder. “Destiny is my friend, that’s why.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Isn’t she the one that you got in a fight with?”
    I turned back to my locker. It was true; that’s how we met.
    â€œMaybe you haven’t noticed, but about 80 percent of the kids here are not like us,” she said.
    â€œWhat do you mean, us ?” I was nothing like her.
    She frowned. “You know, us .” She held out her arm next to mine.
    Her arm was delicate and pure, with manicured fingernails. I didn’t have to hold up mine for comparison. Mine was thick, with scratches on it. My nails were chewed as short as they could be.
    â€œYou mean people with arms?”
    â€œNo, idiot. Didn’t anybody tell you, you have to hang with your own people?”
    I kind of laughed in her face.
    â€œNo, I must have missed that announcement. All I know is since I been here the last two months, nobody but Destiny has given me the time of day. If you or your white sisterhood had bothered—”
    â€œProblem?” Destiny had snuck up behind this girl.
    The girl glared at Destiny, then back at me. “Yeah.” She just shook her head and left. I heard her mutter “wigger,” and I almost went after her.
    Destiny grabbed my arm. “Hold on there, girl. She’s just jealous, don’t you see? Let it go.”
    I was thinking that girl would make an excellent target for a Knockout Game. I could see my fist wiping that perfect makeup off her face, her head flying into the lockers—.
    â€œHey, are you with me?” Destiny stared into my eyes. “You been hanging low last coupla days. S’up?” she asked.
    â€œI was about to say the same to you. You seemed kinda stressed last time I saw you. Why’d you leave us in the park?”
    â€œFamily stuff. You know how it is.”
    I did. I wasn’t gonna press her on it.
    â€œI saw Kalvin yesterday.” She watched me for any kind of reaction. I played it cool. “Seems Kalvin likes having you around.”
    I tried to read her face. “Is that OK?” I asked. “I mean, with you.”
    She made a funny noise in her throat. “Hmph. Who invited you to join TKO?”
    Trick question? “You did?”
    â€œOK then.” Matter settled.
    I turned back to my locker. “So how come you passed my message on to Kalvin?”
    She acted confused.
    â€œFacebook?” I reminded her.
    â€œOh that. I just wanted him to know you were worried is all. He ‘asked’ me to keep an eye on you.”
    â€œWhat’s that mean?”
    â€œNothing.” She sighed and relaxed her stance. “Look, K’s got something in store for that guy, Joe Lee. Gonna crash his ‘rally’ this week. Let him know he ain’t afraid. And he wants you there too. But only if you record it and don’t knock the crap outta some old dude.”
    I scowled at her. “You think I wanted to do that?”
    â€œJust don’t do it again. It’s not your style.”
    â€œBut it’s yours?”
    For a second she looked like the old Destiny, ready to take me out. But I must have looked overly concerned because instead, she pulled me into a hug which she never did at school. “You alright, Fish. You just new to all a this.”

    Walking home, I wasn’t sure what to think. Destiny told me more about Kalvin: that he was just messing with people on his Facebook page, that he’d been suspended six months ago because supposedly some Knockout Games happened near Truman and he was under investigation.
    â€œNo way Kalvin’s comin’ back to school,” said Destiny answering my unasked question.
    My phone buzzed in my pocket.
    Speak of the devil. I was not playing hard to get; I guess I was just a little bit confused. On the fifth ring, I answered.
    â€œHey