Chapter 2

The boys peddled to the school. Bubba in the back as always; he wasn’t the fastest or skinniest boy in Virginia. They arrived at the school grounds just as the first bell rung.

“We better hurry up,” panted Bubba as they pounded up the steps.

“Look who’s talkin!” Pete answered back running even faster to show off the leg muscles he’d made from running track.

The boys finally made it inside just as the second bell rang. “Aw shoot!” Daniel said running to their class. The boys looked through the window to see that the class had already started. Pete opened the door.

“You’re late boys,” their teacher said looking up at them.

“Sorry Ma’am,” Daniel answered.

“Please take your seats.”

Daniel looked around. Bubba and Pete took two seats in the front. The only other seat opened was in the back, next to... a girl.

“Umm, Mrs. Wester?” Daniel asked.

“Yes Daniel.”

“Could I switch places with Bobby here so I could sit with Pete and Bubba?”

“I’m sorry Daniel; first come first serve. You should have arrived sooner. Since you are late you will just have to take that seat back there.”

Daniel hung his head. He slowly made his way back and sat down. He looked over. The girl was not exactly what Daniel would call normal. She had long red fiery hair, which was pulled back into a ponytail. She had on a pair of old worn out blue jean overalls with one strap undone. Under her overalls there was an off white t-shirt that looked like it hadn’t been washed in weeks. She wasn’t wearing any shoes either. She looked plain dirty; very different from the other girls. All the other girls were in brand new school dresses for the first day with hair nicely combed and faces washed, but this girl looked like she just came from a hole somewhere. She stunk too. “Hey,” she said looking over at him. “Whatcha staring for? You ain’t never seen a girl before?”

Daniel looked forward again. He tried to concentrate on his schooling, but his mind kept drifting to that girl.

Soon the bell rang and Daniel was grateful. He thought he couldn’t last another moment or the stench would kill him. He gathered up his stuff and headed for the door.

“Hey!” Daniel turned around. It was that girl again.

Oh Lord! Get me outta here! He said to himself.

“Wait!” She ran to him and grabbed his arm.

AHH! She TOUCHED me! He thought.

“What’s your name kid?”

Gulp. “Daniel...Daniel Bickley,” he managed to say. He turned around and eyed the exit sign.

“Really?” she said gripping harder on his arm and turning him around again. “The name’s Lynn Mabel Mace, but you can call me Linney.”

“Ok,” he turned to leave again, but she grabbed his hand and shook it.

“What’s your problem anyways? Don’t ya know that when you meet a person ya supposed to shake their hands?”

“Oh yeah...well...I’m in a hurry,” he said looking over his shoulders for the fellows, but they were no where in sight.

“Where ya goin?”

“To visit Maimy.”

“Who’s that?” she wanted to know.

“A friend! Now if you’ll excuse me,” he pried her fingers off his arm and ran down the hall. He burst through the doors and quickly found his bike. As he got on he noticed Bubba and Pete’s bikes were gone. “Oh well,” he said to himself. He peddled fast down the street headed for the cemetery.

As he drew closer to the cemetery he peddled faster. He dropped his bike and raced to Maimy’s grave.

“Hey Maim!” he said sitting down in front of the grave marker. “Did I ever have an exciting day!” he panted trying to catch his breath.

He stared at the stone and thought back to the girl he’d met. “I’m stuck sitting by a girl too!” He tried to chuckle, but his eyes started to swell up with tears. “You’re a girl, but ya didn’t act like one. Remember the day we met. I wanted to take off runnin, but you...”

His voice was cut off. “Hey you!”

Daniel looked around. It was her.

“Maimy’s a dead person?” she shouted running over to him.

“Would you leave me alone!” He shouted standing up. “What are you a stalker?”

“No, I was just on my way home and I saw ya here. Thought ya might be lost or somethin. Why ya visitin a dead girl anyways?”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” he shouted running past her and jumping onto his bike. He peddled fast towards home. He looked back. She was following him. He peddled faster and faster in hopes to loose her, but she kept on his tale. She was soon right next to him. “Did...I ...stutter?” he panted looking over at her.

“No.”

“Then WHY are you following me?”

“I’m not!” she said. “I’m on my way home!”

He rolled his eyes and slowed down. He was almost to his house. He parked his bike. She parked hers too. “Why are you stopping? I thought you were going home?” he said angrily.

“I am home. I live right there.” She pointed to a blue house right next to his.

“I can’t believe this!” he ran inside and slammed the door behind him.

“Is that you Beth?” his mother called from the kitchen.

“Yes,” he said as he kicked off his shoes. “And STOP calling me BETH!” he screamed. He ran up to his room and slammed the door behind him. He flung himself onto the bed and put his face in his pillow. Oh Maimy, he thought, why did you have to go?