Read Online Just Another Hero by Sharon M. Draper - Free Book Online

you know how much he paid for that thing? My life is over!” She picked up a notebook and shook it, just in case the iPhone had wedged itself between the pages.
    â€œDo you put your book bag on the back of your desk, or under it?” asked Dana.
    â€œUsually behind me.” She paused. “Do you think someone took it?”
    â€œWell, let’s figure out who sits behind you in each class,” November reasoned.
    â€œI don’t know! I can’t think!” Arielle cried out. “Wait. In math, it’s Roscoe Robinson. He’s actually in my chemistry class too, but he sits on the other side of the room in there. He’s cool, even though I think he copies my math papers. But he wouldn’t have taken it—he told me he got one for Christmas.”
    â€œLucky dude,” Olivia said. “What about art class?”
    â€œWe put our bags on a shelf on one side of the room. They’re in full view of everybody all the time.”
    â€œOkay, what about chemistry—you got Pringle, right?” Dana asked. “Who sits behind you in there?”
    â€œKofi,” she said, looking away.
    Dana inhaled. “Hey, look, my Kofi is scrapin’ quarters together right now, but he’s no thief,” she snapped.
    â€œOh, I know that, Dana! I wasn’t implying…” Her heart sank even further—she didn’t want to make Dana mad at her on the day she decided to reach out and make up.
    Dana looked at her sharply. “Just so we’re straight.”
    Arielle nodded vigorously. “Let’s see—today Miss Pringle had us doing labs, trying to make up the time we lost during the fire drill. Everybody was out of their seats, walking around most of the period.”
    â€œThat’s not good. It could have been anybody.”
    â€œSo that just leaves world history. Who sits behind you in there?” asked Olivia.
    â€œOsrick Wardley.” Arielle’s thoughts flashed to Osrick lying stripped and humiliated, Osrick huddled in his coat. She really hoped the poor guy wasn’t the thief.

ARIELLE
CHAPTER 8
    TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
    ARIELLE STUFFED EVERYTHING BACK INTO her book bag. “I’m going to report this to the principal.” She hesitated, and then looked at the girls who had extended that thin thread of friendship. She wasn’t sure how far to test it. “Will you come with me? Please?” she added.
    â€œWe’re here for you, girlfriend,” Dana said, as if speaking for the group. “Let’s go.”
    â€œThank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.” She was near tears. She hoped they didn’t notice.
    â€œYou think it was Weird Osrick?” November asked as they stood to leave. “I’ve known him since sixth grade. He’s a little different, but I’ve never known him to steal anything.”
    â€œHe likes electronic stuff—maybe it was too much of a temptation,” Arielle said slowly, thinking it through.
    â€œOsrick could probably build an iPhone from bubblegum and batteries if he wanted to,” said Olivia. “The kid is a genius. I heard his IQ is pushin’ something like two hundred.”
    â€œAll I know is he was probably the last to see it, and now it’s gone,” Arielle said as they got to the principal’s office. The thought made her increasingly uncomfortable.
    â€œYou’re not a hundred percent sure of that, Arielle,” Olivia said, voicing Arielle’s very thoughts.
    Rosa Gonzalez, who worked as a student aide for Mrs. Sherman, sat at the desk outside her door. “How can I help you?” she asked officiously, picking up a pencil and a notepad.
    â€œWe need to see Mrs. Sherman right away,” Arielle explained.
    â€œAnd this is in regards to…” Rosa put the pencil behind her ear.
    â€œOh, come on, Rosa,” said Dana impatiently.
    Mrs. Sherman opened her office door then and said to them,