Read Online True (. . . Sort Of) by Katherine Hannigan - Free Book Online Page B

she’d seen that day in the green Impala. And Delly knew it wasn’t going to happen.
    The others gathered around, like frightened fawns. “Delly,” Chicky gasped, “what do we do?”
    Delly didn’t know. “Shoot some bawlgram baskets,” she told them.
    Melbert started sobbing.
    â€œJust try,” she said softly.
    So they did.
    Ms. Gerwitz cut the game short from mercy. Still, it was a massacre.
    â€œThe stink bombs lose,” Novello cheered.
    â€œAll right,” Ms. Gerwitz ordered. “Clean up and get to your class.”

Chapter 27
    D elly’s team left her as soon as the whistle blew. They walked wide around her, like she was a stinking dead skunk in the road.
    â€œDoesn’t matter,” she muttered; but it did.
    She stayed on the court, slumped over. “It was all supposed to change,” she mumbled.
    The feeling bad that filled her said, “It did. It’s worse.”
    â€œAt least I’m not in trouble,” she rasped.
    â€œNo, you’re not trouble,” the bad feeling told her. “You’re a loser. And so are those other kids, because of you.”
    Delly didn’t go to the locker room. She didn’t want to see the smirks or hear the giggles. “I’ll just go to class,” she grumbled, “I’ll sit there, stinking in my sweat, till three o’clock.”
    That wouldn’t fix it, though. Because tomorrow and every day after, kids would be calling her names and laughing at her. That’s what they did to losers. Counting couldn’t keep her out of that many fights.
    â€œWhat are you going to do about it, loser?” the feeling bad asked her.
    Delly didn’t know.
    Till she heard his footsteps. Her whole body tightened, knowing he was near.
    â€œI can’t fight,” she told herself, but she couldn’t hear it with him howling, “This place stinks, like loser!”
    That did it. She grabbed a jump rope off the wall as she stomped toward him. “I’m going to hogtie you,” she snarled. “I’m going to throw you in Clayton Fitch’s canoe and send you down the river.”
    â€œTry it,” Novello taunted her.
    She knotted the rope like a lasso and swung it over her head. “Hope you like Hickory Corners,” she sneered.
    And Ms.Gerwitz shut down the rodeo. From her office, she hollered, “Delly Pattison, come over here. Novello, get to class.”
    Neither of them moved.
    â€œNow,” she commanded.
    Novello squinted and stamped away.
    Delly growled all the way to Ms. Gerwitz’s door.
    â€œDelly, look at me,” the teacher ordered.
    So she did.
    â€œI’m proud of what you did today.” Ms. Gerwitz smiled.
    â€œHuh?” Delly grunted.
    â€œChoosing the kids nobody else picks. That was really good. You didn’t win, but you did. Know what I mean?”
    Delly didn’t. “We got killed,” she said.
    â€œYou lost the game. So what? In my book, you win.”
    Delly stared at her, to see if she was kidding. “Me?”
    â€œYou. You did good.”
    Being Ms. Gerwitz’s good was like being Clarice’s pride. Right away Delly felt better.
    â€œYou should get to class,” the teacher told her.
    Delly turned toward the gym. She wasn’t slumping anymore.
    â€œI won,” she told the wall as she put the rope back.
    â€œI’m a winner,” she said to the ceiling.
    She turned to the exit. “I’m goo—”
    And surprise shot her in the air, like a copper-curled basketball. Because there was Ferris Boyd, drooped beside the gym door.
    â€œWhat the glub?” Delly rasped when she landed.
    Ferris Boyd stayed hunched over, like the saddest loser ever.
    Delly knew how that felt. Full of Ms. Gerwitz’s goodness, she walked over to her. “Hey, Ferris Boyd,” she said, “Ms. Gerwitz says we won even if we didn’t. Know what I mean?”
    The girl