Double Dutch by Sharon M. Draper Read Free Book Online Page A

with his mouth full, said, “If you got food, you’re beautiful!” He smiled at her gratefully. The bell rang, and Charlene darted ahead of them to get into the warmth of the building before the others.
    When the Tolliver twins marched in together, everyone cleared a wide path for them in the hall. No one spoke to them or mentioned the TV show.
    â€œMy mom told me the teachers met with the school board, the principal, their mother, and community leaders, but since the twins had really done nothing wrong, there was nothing legally that could be done,” Delia whispered to Charlene.
    â€œYeah, I heard that the teachers were told that they had to let them go to class,” Charlene whispered back as the two boys passed by.
    The twins seemed to know that, and almost smiled as they dominated the halls.
    Yolanda, deliberately ignoring the Tollivers, asked Randy, “Your dad on the road again?” She dug in her book bag for a bag of potato chips to give him. “Must be cool to be a long-distance truck driver. You know, before he was an airplane pilot, my dad used to drive a—”
    â€œDon’t even start with that, Yolanda,” Randy said,interrupting her. “I got a headache and I don’t feel like listening to all that. But thanks for the chips.”
    Yolanda looked as if she was ready to say something, then she shrugged. “I’ll see you both in English. I gotta finish reading the next two chapters of
Lord of the Flies.
It’s pretty good.” She looked at Delia, as if to offer help if needed, but Delia, with just a slight movement, shook her head to say no. Yolanda disappeared into the crowded hallway.
    â€œYou were jumping good on Saturday, Delia,” Randy said. “You’re dynamite on the speed jump.”
    â€œIt makes me feel good when I jump—like I got power or something.”
    â€œYeah, I feel ya. Like when I’m playing football and I make a tackle and the little voice from the box comes drifting over the field, ‘Tackle! Youngblood!’ And I feel like a million dollars. Which I could use right now,” he added with a sigh.
    â€œI remember your dad came to every single game you played this fall.”
    â€œYeah, me and my dad are tight,” Randy said with a smile. “He fixed his driving schedule so he could be here to see me play. I kept telling him it was just a stupid junior high game, but he said if his boy was in it, it wasn’t stupid.”
    â€œIt must be rough when he’s on the road. How long does he stay gone?” Delia asked as they walked to their lockers.
    â€œOh, usually not more than two or three days. Sometimes, if he gets a special haul, like California, he might be gone for a week, but he tries not to do that. But he always leaves me food and money, and he calls me every night. We got it worked out.”
    â€œI admire you,” Delia said shyly. “I’d be scared to be at home alone.”
    â€œWhat’s to be scared of? Besides, I got my attack cat to protect me,” Randy said, laughing. “Home is safe. It’s school I’m scared of. Those Tollivers are some scary dudes!”
    â€œYou got that right.” Delia shivered in spite of the warmth of the overheated halls.
    â€œI meant what I said the other night, Delia.” Randy was looking directly at her. “I’ll protect you.”
    Delia had to look away. She was trembling once more, but not from the cold, and not from fear. Randy’s voice made her shiver. She smiled at him. “Thanks, Randy. I’ll see you in English.” He grinned and disappeared up the steps to his next class. Delia glanced at herself in her locker mirror just before she closed the door. She was still smiling.
    During her first-bell math class, Delia listened to the buzz of whispers about the Tollivers and their television appearance. The twins arrived late to her math class, with a tardy slip from the office.