Read Online Cheating for the Chicken Man by Priscilla Cummings - Free Book Online

stood up when Kate approached. “Don’t say anything about what happened today,” he told her.
    Kate stopped. She didn’t want to promise him that she wouldn’t tell. She let the backpack slip off her shoulder. Her eyes fell away from his.
    â€œIt’s
my
business, Kate. It’s my thing that I have to sort out.”
    He was right about that, Kate thought. She locked eyes with her brother. “What are you going to do?”
    â€œI don’t know. Hopefully, it’s over,” he said. Then he emphasized, “I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
    Kate hesitated.
    â€œI’m not one of your injured animals, Kate. I can take care of myself.”
    â€œAll right,” she agreed. “I won’t say anything. But if ithappens again, J.T., will you report it? You can’t let him start this in high school.”
    â€œI know,” he said. “Look, I’ve got to do the culling before dinner.”
    Kate watched him walk off, Tucker trotting alongside. He would spend part of the next hour doing the job she hated most.
    Just then, Kerry burst through the front door. “Kate! I have homework!”
    Kate dropped her things and opened her arms for a hug. “No way!” she said, beaming and kneeling to give her little sister a hug.
    *
    The next morning, Kate chose her clothes more carefully. She wore a denim skirt, a striped top, and sandals. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and made a peanut butter sandwich so she didn’t have to depend on the hot lunch. On the bus, she sat in the seat Jess saved for her and listened to her friend talk up a storm about how she was going to propose a “Quote of the Day” idea to the first meeting of those interested in working for the in-school TV station.
    â€œI’ve already got twelve ideas,” Jess said.
    Kate scanned the quotes in Jess’s notebook. “You’re going to read these on the morning news?”
    Jess arched her eyebrows and nodded enthusiastically.
    Kate craned her neck to see if anyone had sat with her brother up front.
    â€œKate, if you need to sit with him, go ahead,” Jess said.
    â€œActually, I think someone just sat down with him.”
    â€œGood! I feel so bad for J.T. ’cause of what happened yesterday in the cafeteria,” Jess said. “I prayed about it last night. You know what my first quote on the air will be?”
    Warily, Kate shook her head.
    â€œEphesians 4:32. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other—”
    â€œJess!” Kate interrupted, “You’re not going to quote the Bible on the morning announcements, are you?”
    â€œYes!” she said, eagerly nodding. “Why not?”
    â€œAre you kidding me? They’ll tease you for that! You’ll be committing social suicide!”
    Jess smiled back with self-assurance. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve thought about this, Kate. I want to make a difference.”
    â€œAre all your quotes going to come from the Bible?”
    Jess started to shrug. “Maybe not all of them.”
    Kate rolled her eyes. How could Jess be so naïve? “I don’t even think you can do this in public school!” she warned.
    â€œOkay, okay. I kind of figured that. But if they say yes, then I will. I mean, why not?”
    Kate had to look away. Why indeed? If Jess wanted to quote from the Bible, then she should do it, right? It was who she was, a religious person who had no problem with people knowing it. Kate didn’t feel the same, but she hadn’t allowed this difference to come between them.
    â€œLook, I just don’t want to see you get teased,” Kate said. “They’ll call you a Jesus freak or something.”
    â€œI can’t help what they think. It’s who I am, Kate.”
    Kate didn’t say anymore. She didn’t think the school would allow Bible quotes on the morning news anyway, so it