toward us and shushed us, but he smiled, and we smiled back. Even with only one good eye Mr. Wilkins could see the sparks.”
“I’m taking notes, Romi. I’ve got to check my star books on this one—true soul mates meet in this life, and I am here to witness it! What happened next?”
“When Julio finally let go, my hand felt empty. I got embarrassed and was afraid to look at him. He touched my hand once more, then ran to his gym class to get there before the bell rang. I heard the late bell, but didn’t even notice it. I danced to French, and didn’t even care when the teacher asked me, in French, if I wanted a detention for being late. I told her, ‘Suit yourself,’ and just smiled.”
“You said that to Madame Mantua? How many detentions did she give you?”
“She must have thought I’d lost my senses, because she just told me to sit down and to come back down to the earth’s atmosphere. Was it that obvious?”
“It must be something in the stars, because if I just giggle in Madame Mantua’s class, she sends me out,” Destiny moaned. “I’ve started leaving a chair in the hall so I have someplace to sit when she puts me out of class! Maybe I should fall in love too.”
“Who said anything about love, Destiny? He makes me feel silly, happy, crazy—but that’s not love, is it?”
“Feels the same, they tell me, but how would I know? I get all my information from star books and teen magazines.”
“Hey, the bell is getting ready to ring. I gotta go. Me and Julio are supposed to talk again tonight on the computer. I’ll call you after that.”
“OK. Have fun up there in the stars! There’s the bell! See ya!” Destiny’s slim orange figure disappeared into the classroom.
“Later.” Romi walked slowly down the quickly emptying hall. She was thinking of Julio, not math class, and she smiled as she shifted her book bag on her shoulder.
24.
Private Chat Room Conversation
Hola, Romiette:
Do you think those Devildogs will come after us now that we made them look stupid in front of the whole cafeteria? I’m not scared of them, but you never know how the peanut minds of people like that operate.
Yeah, I think they’ll try something. They have to in order to look good in front of the others. We’d better be careful, or at least plan something just as outrageous for the next time they try to stare us down. Were you scared?
Me? Que no! I came prepared with extra weapons—Jell-O cubes in my back pocket!
Yeah, right, Jell-O kills. I forgot. Oh, I almost forgot. The puppies are old enough to go. Are you coming on Sunday?
Yes, about three o’clock. What will your mother say about me? You know I’m a little scared about meeting your folks.
Even though there’s no reason for you to feel funny, I think I know what you mean. Parents of a girl look at every dude that comes over as a somebody who will take their little darling away. My dad is going to have it really rough when I finally leave home. He and I are very close. He still calls me his little angel and lets me do almost anything. Mama is strict. She always says “No way” when I ask to go on ski trips or overnights with my friends. So I use my best little girl voice and plead to my dad. He usually tells Mama, “Aw, Lady, let the girl go. She works hard in school, makes good grades, and never causes us any trouble. Let’s let her go.” Mama usually gives in, and I smile sweetly to my dad. She knows what I’m doing. She’s been using it on Daddy herself for years! The funny part is that the things that he talks Mama into letting me do are things involving boys or potential dangerous situations—like an overnight in a ski lodge with sleepy chaperones. He doesn’t want me to grow up, but he lets me go to these pretty grown-up places. I guess he trusts me.
I can tell that you’re crazy about your dad. And your mom sounds cool too. My parents are a little tighter. They’re very strict on me, and expect me to do well, soI do. I see
“I’m taking notes, Romi. I’ve got to check my star books on this one—true soul mates meet in this life, and I am here to witness it! What happened next?”
“When Julio finally let go, my hand felt empty. I got embarrassed and was afraid to look at him. He touched my hand once more, then ran to his gym class to get there before the bell rang. I heard the late bell, but didn’t even notice it. I danced to French, and didn’t even care when the teacher asked me, in French, if I wanted a detention for being late. I told her, ‘Suit yourself,’ and just smiled.”
“You said that to Madame Mantua? How many detentions did she give you?”
“She must have thought I’d lost my senses, because she just told me to sit down and to come back down to the earth’s atmosphere. Was it that obvious?”
“It must be something in the stars, because if I just giggle in Madame Mantua’s class, she sends me out,” Destiny moaned. “I’ve started leaving a chair in the hall so I have someplace to sit when she puts me out of class! Maybe I should fall in love too.”
“Who said anything about love, Destiny? He makes me feel silly, happy, crazy—but that’s not love, is it?”
“Feels the same, they tell me, but how would I know? I get all my information from star books and teen magazines.”
“Hey, the bell is getting ready to ring. I gotta go. Me and Julio are supposed to talk again tonight on the computer. I’ll call you after that.”
“OK. Have fun up there in the stars! There’s the bell! See ya!” Destiny’s slim orange figure disappeared into the classroom.
“Later.” Romi walked slowly down the quickly emptying hall. She was thinking of Julio, not math class, and she smiled as she shifted her book bag on her shoulder.
24.
Private Chat Room Conversation
Hola, Romiette:
Do you think those Devildogs will come after us now that we made them look stupid in front of the whole cafeteria? I’m not scared of them, but you never know how the peanut minds of people like that operate.
Yeah, I think they’ll try something. They have to in order to look good in front of the others. We’d better be careful, or at least plan something just as outrageous for the next time they try to stare us down. Were you scared?
Me? Que no! I came prepared with extra weapons—Jell-O cubes in my back pocket!
Yeah, right, Jell-O kills. I forgot. Oh, I almost forgot. The puppies are old enough to go. Are you coming on Sunday?
Yes, about three o’clock. What will your mother say about me? You know I’m a little scared about meeting your folks.
Even though there’s no reason for you to feel funny, I think I know what you mean. Parents of a girl look at every dude that comes over as a somebody who will take their little darling away. My dad is going to have it really rough when I finally leave home. He and I are very close. He still calls me his little angel and lets me do almost anything. Mama is strict. She always says “No way” when I ask to go on ski trips or overnights with my friends. So I use my best little girl voice and plead to my dad. He usually tells Mama, “Aw, Lady, let the girl go. She works hard in school, makes good grades, and never causes us any trouble. Let’s let her go.” Mama usually gives in, and I smile sweetly to my dad. She knows what I’m doing. She’s been using it on Daddy herself for years! The funny part is that the things that he talks Mama into letting me do are things involving boys or potential dangerous situations—like an overnight in a ski lodge with sleepy chaperones. He doesn’t want me to grow up, but he lets me go to these pretty grown-up places. I guess he trusts me.
I can tell that you’re crazy about your dad. And your mom sounds cool too. My parents are a little tighter. They’re very strict on me, and expect me to do well, soI do. I see
Similar Books
