314 BURNT OUT

James had thought the worst was over. Standing up for his best friend, who was being racially discriminated against, was one of the bravest things he had ever done; even though it was just in front of his class, he'd felt proud. They had all gone to visit Keisha, and Mrs. Jenkins had made sure everyone went along, an act that would turn out to be a grave mistake. "Hey, James!" Arlene and her group chorused as they approached his lunch table. "What do you want?" "Oh, nothing major." She smiled, then leaned closer to his ear. "You are in so much trouble with the principal. You and Mrs. Jenkins," she whispered, promptly moving back and skittering away with her friends. He didn't even bother trying to decipher what she had said or to meditate on it; he just went back to eating his lunch. "Mr. Reid?" The principal called out as James walked to class after lunch. "Yesim Smith." "Come to my office now." James slowly nodded as he immediately followed the older man. "Mrs. Jenkins?" He