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okay?” Domingo asked.
    â€œShe said she was a little sore but otherwise okay. I’ll know more after I see her.”
    The pair gave each other a handshake and agreed to finish their conversation later.
    Â 
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    After school Julius hurried out the door to the bus loading area so he could catch his bus. Dré spotted him rushing down the stairs and called out to him.
    â€œHey, Dré. I’m sorry, but I can’t talk right now. I have to catch my bus.”
    Dré grabbed him by the back of his jacket, stopping him, and said, “Slow down, youngblood. I can take you home. I want to holler at you for a sec.”
    Out of breath, Julius asked, “Are you sure?”
    â€œYeah, I’m sure,” Dré answered as he stood there with a couple of friends. “Just call your parents and make sure it’s okay.”
    Julius quickly pulled out his cell phone and dialed his father, who gave him permission to ride with Dré, but he also gave him a short lecture on being responsible. Once the call was over, he hung up and said, “My dad said it was okay. Thanks.”
    â€œGreat!” Dré replied as they walked toward the parking lot. “Did you hear that Denim was in a car accident?”
    Julius sighed and said, “She sent me a text this morning. I called to make sure she was okay. Is she really okay?”
    Dré deactivated his car alarm and opened the door.
    â€œShe’s pretty banged up, but she’s fine. I’m getting ready to go by there, so I thought you might want to ride with me.”
    Julius climbed into the passenger side of the car and said, “My plan was to take her some flowers, anyway. I hope you don’t mind stopping by the store so I can pick some up.”
    Dré smiled and said, “Of course I don’t mind. Let’s go.”

Chapter Seven
    â€œDenim! You have company!” her mother yelled from downstairs.
    â€œIs it Dré?” she yelled back.
    â€œNo, it’s not. Just get down here, sweetheart.” Mrs. Mitchell smiled at Denim’s guest as they waited for her in the foyer.
    When Denim finally appeared, she couldn’t believe her eyes. “R.J.? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere with your leg elevated?”
    Denim led R.J. into the family room as he replied, “I didn’t break my driving foot.”
    Mrs. Mitchell followed them into the room and said, “I’m sure the doctors told you to take it easy, though.”
    He sat down and laid his crutches on the floor. “They did, but I’m hardheaded.”
    Denim giggled as she sat on the sofa and curled her legs underneath her body. “Are you in any pain?” she asked.
    â€œA little, but the pain pills help,” he replied. “I just wanted to come by to apologize about totaling your car and to see how you were doing.”
    Denim held out her arms and showed off a couple of bruises and said, “I’m a little bruised, but I’ll be fine.”
    R.J. reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick envelope and gave it to her. “I also wanted to thank you again for saving my life. I could’ve burned up in that car if you hadn’t gotten me out.”
    â€œWhat’s this?” Denim asked as she slowly opened the envelope and pulled out a stack of money. “I can’t accept this,” she announced as she put the money back in the envelope and handed it back to him.
    â€œShe’s right,” Mrs. Mitchell added as she glanced inside the envelope. “Denim did what anyone would do.”
    â€œThat’s the point, Mrs. Mitchell. Denim was the only one who did do something. Everyone else was content to stand on the curb and watch me burn to death,” he replied. “Besides, her car is damaged, and it’s my responsibility to make sure it’s repaired or replaced.”
    â€œThat’s true, but I think that is more than enough to replace