Read Online The Girl on the Outside by Mildred Pitts; Walter - Free Book Online Page B

Sophia said, hugging them all in a circle, “we’ve done it.”
    â€œNow, can we go skate?” Kim asked.
    â€œWhat if somebody breaks the vow?” Meredith wanted to know.
    â€œOh, we wouldn’t,” Marsha said as if surprised at the thought.
    â€œSomebody might. And if they do?” Meredith insisted.
    â€œThen we’ll brand them traitors,” Sophia said.
    â€œJust traitors? Must be stronger than that,” Meredith said.
    â€œOh, let’s go,” Kim pleaded.
    â€œWho’s out there you can’t wait to see, Kim?” Stephanie asked.
    â€œEverybody! And what’s worse than a traitor, anyway, Meredith?”
    Meredith’s eyes searched each face in the circle with a look of suspicion. Then she said in a voice that was a hissing whisper, “We’ll brand them nigger lovers!”
    Burt and Arnold! What would they think of this vow? Sophia felt a tremor over her body, but she joined in the giggles with the rest of the girls.
    After they moved out of the locker room, as soon as Sophia got a chance, she cornered Marsha. “That Meredith. What nerve, using that word.”
    â€œShe just doesn’t want them at Chatman,” Marsha said.
    â€œYou think I want them there? Do you?”
    â€œOf course not. But you know a lot of people use that word, Sophia.”
    â€œNot my friends.…” Sophia placed her hands on Marsha’s shoulders and held on, looking Marsha in the eyes. “Fortunately, not my friends.” She grinned and then skated off through the crowd, her eyes and mind alert for Arnold.
    Over the din, the loudspeaker announced a skating round for girls only. Sophia rolled gracefully along, telling herself that she must forget Arnold and have a good time. Whenever she skated by one of the pact members she gave part of the signal: hands over eyes, then over ears, then mouth. They would crack up with giggles.
    Then it was time for partners to skate together. She watched Kim, Marsha, and the others scramble for a partner. Suddenly it all seemed so childish, with everybody appearing so young. It really was not much fun anymore. She wanted to get home. In spite of the pact, there were still questions that had to be answered before she could really cope with the coming tomorrow.

Chapter 9
    Shadows lengthened. Mockingbirds sang. Blue jays screeched at the hummingbirds darting swiftly to suck nectar from honeysuckle vines. Eva sat on the back porch, putting the last stitches in the hem of her dress. Smells of fresh rolls rising in pans and chicken sizzling made her hunger almost unbearable. How glad she was her Aunt Shirley had not listened to her pleas not to cook because of the heat. Would she be able to wait until her parents came before getting at the food?
    She listened to the birds’ songs. How nice it was to have her dress finished on time and to hold to her heart the pleasure of knowing she would be seeing Cecil later. The thought forced a silent spring of joy. She smiled. If her good fortune lasted, she could get a bath and even rest a few minutes before supper.
    Humming a tune that made her aunt smile, Eva passed through the kitchen on the way to her room. Eva stopped, sniffed the air, closed her eyes, and pretended she was going to faint. “Oh, I’m starved.”
    â€œHere, take a wing. That’ll hold y’,” her aunt said, giving Eva a piece of fried chicken.
    On entering her room, Eva’s hopes for a peaceful rest were shattered. “Tanya,” she shouted, “how could you junk up this room like this? Clean it up, right now.”
    â€œI’m busy,” Tanya said, without looking up. She was dressed in one of Eva’s skirts and a pair of their mother’s high-heeled shoes.
    â€œYou pick up all this stuff and get out of here!”
    â€œIt’s as much my room as yours.”
    The front door slammed and their father’s voice boomed through the house. “I know my