by Beth Bowland
“S’up, QB?” Joel grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the dance floor. I looked over at Shannan, who had a guilty grin spreading across her face.
“Joel, I don’t want to dance,” I whimpered. I tried not to make a scene as he continued pulling me to the dance floor. He started dancing around me, doing the most outrageous moves. I’m sure it was something he’d just made up.
“Come on, QB, lemme see what ya got. See if you can keep up with the kid.” He continued to clown around until I started dancing, after which I loosened up and started laughing. When the song was over, I was on my way over to give Shannan a hard time. Someone called my name. I turned to look, and it was one of the guys from the wrestling team.
“Hey, Bea.” It was Aidan Reynolds, star wrestler. His hair, naturally curly, formed soft ringlets around his head. His light brown eyes were hypnotic. I wondered why I’d never noticed he was so cute.
“Hi, Aidan.”
“I was wondering if I could get a dance with the school’s celebrity.”
“Sure,” I answered. I was a little embarrassed, but I allowed him to take my hand as we went back out on the dance floor. I finally saw Shannan dancing with Joel a few feet away from me. As I danced with Aidan, I felt someone staring at me. I turned my head to look. To my surprise, it was Spencer. He was dancing with one of Mitzie’s friends. He was staring directly at me, and he didn’t look happy. For some reason I got a spark of joy out of it. Was Mr. Smoochy Face a little jealous? I felt great and stayed on the dance floor with Aidan for another two songs straight.
I needed something to drink, so I told Aidan I would catch up with him later. Shannan came up beside me, looped her arm in mine, and started grinning at me.
“So, Miss ‘I don’t wanna dance, look at anyone, or have fun’ lady. It seems as though the evening has gotten really interesting for you.”
“Did you tell Aidan to ask me to dance?”
“No, ma’am. I’m guilty of asking Joel to grab you. Mr. Aidan did it all on his own. He’s cute!”
“Oh yes, and he was very nice. Spencer was staring at me the whole time I was out dancing. I think he was jealous.”
“Oh really?”
“Yep, he sure was.” I reached over and gave Shannan a big hug. “Thanks for talking me into coming tonight. I’m having so much fun.”
We walked over and got some punch to drink. “Shannan, you really did a great job pulling this together.”
“Thanks!” She shifted her eyes towards something and motioned for me to look. It was Spencer and Mitzie headed our way. I grabbed another cup of punch just to busy myself. Surprisingly, Mitzie was the first to speak.
“Hello, ladies. Happy Valentine’s Day.” A phony smile was plastered on her face.
“Same to you,” Shannan responded. I felt Spencer move beside me. He reached for a cup.
“Hi, Bea,” he said.
“Hello.”
“You look really nice tonight.”
“Thank you.” As soon as I got my words out, Aidan walked over to me and grabbed my hand.
“Come on, Bea. You owe me another dance.” He grinned at me. Even without looking at Spencer, I could tell he was no longer smiling. The song that was playing was a slow one. I hesitated at first because I hate slow dancing, but there was no way I was going to stand there with Spencer and Mitzie. I followed him out to the dance floor.
Aidan was a really good dancer, and he smelled of something from the Tommy Hilfiger fragrance counter.
“Are you nervous about the regional competition?” Aidan whispered in my ear.
“A little, but I’m not going to stress about it. I’m happy with winning the city,” I replied. We continued chitchatting back and forth, but I couldn’t focus on what he was saying. My eyes kept wandering around looking for Spencer. When the song was over, I thanked him for the dance.
Although, there was much more dancing for me that evening, and I had great time, I secretly wondered what Spencer was thinking.
Chapter 16
“CRAIG, IF YOU’RE UNABLE to stay awake during my class, then you may dismiss yourself to the main office,” Mr. Webster said.
“Huh?” Craig mumbled.
Someone in the back of the classroom started laughing. Craig sat up, rubbed his eyes, and mumbled something about getting off his back.
Mr. Webster massaged his temples. “Craig, please gather your books and come with me.” Slowly Craig picked up his books and jacket and followed Mr. Webster towards the door.
“Class, finish reading the remaining chapter and answer the study questions at the end.” Mr. Webster stopped at the door and allowed Craig to walk out first. As Craig passed him, Mr. Webster looked as if he wanted to smack him across the back of the head. As soon as the door shut, everyone started whispering.
Craig had changed in every way possible. He no longer kept up his tidy appearance. His clothes, which initially had impressed me, were now dirty and wrinkled—especially his jeans, which looked as if they’d never been touched by an iron. An odd odor came from him, one that I’m not sure how to describe. Each time I smelled it, I was reminded of our garage when Dad changed the oil or tinkered on his car.
“So, Peppercorn, I’ve been hearing rumors about your buddy Craig.” Billy leaned towards me. The room got quiet.
“Like what kind of rumors?” I asked, almost afraid of what I’d hear.
“Just stuff. I’m not saying anything ‘cause I don’t want anyone coming after me,” he replied.
Feeling irritated that he’d even brought up the rumors, I turned to face Billy.
“Why’d ya even say anything if you weren’t going to tell me?”
Billy only looked at me and didn’t say a word.
The bell sounded, and everyone got up to leave. Mr. Webster never returned to the classroom. I sat for a few minutes, not wanting to talk to anyone.
“Hey, Bea,” a voice said beside me. It was Monica Griggs.
Getting up from my desk, I grabbed my books. “Hey, Monie.”
“Lately, I’ve seen Craig hanging out with some kids who are known to do drugs,” she whispered, and then she looked around before continuing. “Bea, no one’s going to come right out and tell you anything. You sorta have a goody two-shoes reputation. Billy probably thinks you’ll go say, he said…Then he’ll be brought into it.”
“Goody two-shoes?” I thought aloud.
Monica nodded and left the classroom, leaving me there with my mouth hanging open. Surely that was not my label. No, I didn’t often get into trouble. Yes, I share a lot of what goes on in school with my mother. She might as well have called me a snitch. That’s what she really meant.
As I walked out of the room, I wondered if that’s what my fellow students really thought about me. Not that a goody two-shoes was necessarily a bad label. But for some reason, coming from your peers it sounded more like an insult.
“Do you think I’m a goody two-shoes?” I whispered to Tammy Wong. We were waiting for Mrs. Freutenstein to come into the classroom.
“Yeah,” she whispered back.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Why do you ask?”
“I wanted to find out some information about Craig, and no one would tell me anything. I was told it was because I’m a goody two-shoes.”
Tammy started laughing. “I heard Craig has turned to the dark side,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s pretty obvious he’s doing something, especially since he’s been hanging out with Mitzie’s cousin. I heard they’re supposed to be running away together and getting married.”
“That’s crazy,” I said, still trying to deal with my new label.
“Yeah, it’s crazy. Definitely Jerry Springer stuff.”
No TV for me I decided to be more disciplined in studying my word lists. Since winning the Citywide Spelling Bee competition, I’d barely studied. The Regional was in two weeks. If I won, I’d go on to the National in DC. If I tanked, then I could look f
orward to a study-free spring break. Until then I had to study.
I silently went over the words. The doorbell rang, and I soon recognized the familiar Southern drawl of Miss McGinnis. Why was she here? I tiptoed to my door so I could eavesdrop, but was unable to make out what she said.
A while later, I heard my mother. “Beatrice,” she yelled up the stairs.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Come down for a moment, please.”
Oh crap! I hoped she wasn’t here to ask me a bunch of questions about Craig. I slowly made my ways downstairs and joined them in the family room. I was thankful Auntie wasn’t here.
“Hi, Miss McGinnis,” I said, taking my place in the hot seat across from her. Miss McGinnis had a worried look on her face. She looked old. Mom handed her a cup of hot tea.
“Hello, dear,” she replied.
Mom came over and sat down beside me. “Sweetie, Miss McGinnis has been worried about Craig and thinks he may be in some sort of trouble.”
Oh crap! I thought to myself. What should I say? Am I really a goody-two-shoes snitch?
“I was called up to school the other day to talk to the principal. He says Craig’s grades have dropped considerably, and he’s been mouthing off to teachers. I know it’s true because he’s been mouthing off to me. I just don’t know what’s gotten into him. He sneaks out at night and tells all sorts of lies to me.” She paused and took a sip of the tea. “I know the cause of his trouble is somehow tied with that Francis gal.”
“Where’s Craig now?” I asked.
“He’s gone to the mall with Francis. I tell ya, something just ain’t right with that picture, and something ain’t right with that older gal hanging out with Craig. He’s only fourteen. His behavior towards me has changed. Junior was always a respectful young man. Now he shouts, yells, and seems paranoid all the time.”
“How’re his parents doing? Maybe he’s upset because he didn’t get to spend time with them,” I said.
“Parents? What parents, honey?” asked Miss McGinnis.
I wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry, Miss McGinnis, but I’ve probably said too much already. I think that’s why Craig is mad at me now.”
“Did he tell you he had parents?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am, he did.” I was beginning to get a little nervous about this whole thing.
“What did Craig tell you about his parents?” Mom asked.
“Well, only that he lived in Virginia with them and his sister, but they fought so much, you decided it would be in his best interest if he moved in with you until the divorce was final.”
Miss McGinnis shook her head and ran her hand through her hair.
“Craig’s birth parents are in Virginia, but he doesn’t know them, and he has no sister. Dear friends of mine adopted him. He was around nine years old. Before that, he was in and out of various foster homes. He was getting into so much trouble that I told them to let him stay with me for a while. They were at their wits’ end, and I thought perhaps being in a new environment might help. Or else he was headed to one of those juvenile detention centers. He’d already been in one shortly before he came here. There were a lot of former military men running it.”
“But why do you call him Junior?” I asked.
“Oh, that’s a name my friends gave him when he was little, and it just stuck.”
“Whoa!” My head was spinning.
“Honey, do you know of anything that he may be involved with?” Mom asked.
I swallowed hard, not sure how to respond. “Well…I’ve noticed Craig’s been acting different towards me, and he no longer considers us friends. But I’m not really sure what he’s doing.” Great response, I thought to myself. Honest, but not exactly snitching. Besides, I really didn’t have concrete proof of what he was doing.
Miss McGinnis sighed. Mom leaned back against the sofa. No one spoke for a few minutes.
“Miss McGinnis, I’ll check around with some of the other students to see if anyone’s heard anything.” I decided to leave out the part that no one would probably say anything to me because they thought I was a goody two-shoes.
Miss McGinnis placed her teacup on the coffee table. “Well, I’d appreciate that, honey. I think I may have a talk with that gal’s guardian.”
“I think you should,” Mom added, “and I’ll go with you. The Carmichaels may not know what their niece is up to.”
Oh no! When everyone finds out my mom has gotten involved, they’ll think I’ve snitched for sure.
“I’m going to finish studying,” I said.
Quickly, I headed back towards the stairs. I didn’t want to know what else my mother planned on doing.
Once in my room, I shut the door and flopped down across my bed. My mind was racing. I shoved the word lists off my bed, reached over, and grabbed a pillow. How in the world could I concentrate when my barely existent social life was getting ready to crash down on me? I was barely in with the cool kids as it was. Once they believed that I was blabbing everything to my mother, no one would talk to me.
Kids at my school knew who was doing illegal stuff. Not only that, but they were well able to name names, times, and places. But did anyone say anything? Nooo. I wasn’t sure who invented this code of silence, but it sucked.
I knew my mother, and she was expecting me to do the right thing. But if I found out something and I told, then my schoolmates would hate me. On the other hand, if I knew Craig was doing something illegal and didn’t say something, then he could get hurt. He’d been acting like a jerk, but I still didn’t want something bad to happen to him. I pulled the pillow over my head.
Ring…ring…ring.
I reached over and grabbed my cell phone, flipped it open, and pulled it under the pillow.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Bea.”
It was Spencer. I was caught completely off guard. Why the heck was he calling me? Didn’t he know I was in the middle of a crisis?
“Hey,” I responded.
“Bea, I think we should talk. You’ve been dodging me for weeks now. I can’t take much more of this.”
“Fine. What do you want to talk about?” I asked, already knowing darn well what he meant.
“Why aren’t you talking to me?”
I couldn’t believe he’d said it. I now know guys are slow. He knows that I know that he knows why I’m not talking to him.
“Spencer, you can’t be serious.”
“Yes. I’m serious. I don’t know why you’re all peeved at me.”
“Then why the heck did you call that night and apologize if you didn’t do anything?” I asked, trying not to allow my peevishness to show through the phone.
“I dunno,” he replied.
I dropped my cell phone. I dunno? That was all he had to say? I picked my cell back up.
“Spencer.”
“What?”
“That’s all you’ve got to say?”
“I’m sorry,” he answered.
“Arrgghh. Why are you apologizing?”
“I dunno.”
I hung up on him. I couldn’t deal with it, not tonight. I kept my head under the pillow. Thoughts of Craig, Spencer, spelling competition, and Miss McGinnis were all swirling around.
I sat in Mr. Dodd’s class feeling bad because I hadn’t said anything to Spencer since I’d hung up on him a few nights ago. Avoiding him in the hallways didn’t exactly help either. I found out that my mother did indeed accompany Miss McGinnis over to the Carmichaels to talk to them about Francis, who, in turn, denied that Francis could be up to any type of wrongdoing. Mom said they made her out to be a complete angel. They must have forgotten about the police visit.
“Shannan, what are we going to do?”
Shannan grabbed a portion of her braids and started twirling them around her fingers. “I don’t know, Bebe. I’ve never dealt with this sort of thing before. I suppose we first gotta find out exactly what he’s doing.”
“I agree, but how are we going to do
that? By the way, did I tell you that everyone considers me a goody two-shoes?”
Shannan stopped twirling her hair and smiled. “Well, you are.”
“For some reason, I’m just shocked by it. Especially since Billy Jacobs won’t tell me anything because he thinks I’ll snitch. That guy’s a human recorder. He listens then blabs everything.”
“Bebe, it’s no big deal. I inform people…don’t tell me if you’re doing something wrong, because I’ll tell it. That way there’s never any pressure on me to remain silent. I let everyone know up front I’ll snitch on ’em!”
“Really?”
“Yep, no worries.”
Chapter 17
“GOOD LUCK, BEATRICE,” a student I barely knew said to me as I walked down the hallway.
I was once again queen for the day. Tomorrow morning was the Regional Spelling Bee competition, and I was ready. Lots of well wishes came from classmates as well as faculty.
Craig and I arrived at Mr. Webster’s class at the same time.
“Hi, Craig, are ya feeling better?”
“What are you talking about? I’m not sick.” His voice dripped with annoyance. He pushed past me into the classroom. I clearly heard him sniffing. Maybe he did have allergies. We took our seats, and I could feel his hatred radiating towards me. I wasn’t about to say anything else to him.
“By the way, good luck at the spelling competition, Beatrice,” Mr. Webster said.
“Thanks.”
I could hardly wait for this class to be over. Sitting next to Craig was pure torture. I could feel him sneering at me.
Relieved when the bell rang, I grabbed my stuff and headed towards the door.
“Oh, and Beatrice,” Craig said, coming up beside me. “Tell your nosey mother to mind her own business!”
He bumped up against me so hard I almost dropped my books. I bumped him back just as hard. How dare he talk about my mother?
He stopped and looked at me. For a split second I just knew I was about to have my first fistfight with a boy. Adrenaline started pumping, but Craig only sneered at me and stomped off.
