Color the Sidewalk for Me by Brandilyn Collins

abandon, Barbara was raising one eyebrow as if to say, “My, my, aren’t we slow.” Fingers tightening around my tray, I felt indignation bubble up in my throat. Except for Mr. Rose, I’d had it with everyone.
    â€œHe didn’t appear just in time,” I declared to Miss Hemington firmly. “He was there with me before. Talking. Okay?”
    Her smile congealed. I wasn’t sure if that was due more to my rudeness or to the information I’d imparted. “Well. Lucky for you it turned out.” She swiveled purposefully back to her students.
    My eyes slipped shut. What on earth was wrong with me, arguing with teachers, disgusted with my friends? I walked to my usual table with dread.
    â€œCome on, Celia, I’ve been dyin’ to hear all about it.” Barbara leaned toward me, nearly pressing her blouse into cinnamon apples. I slumped into my chair with a sigh. “So.” Her alto voice was conspiratorial. “First off, what was Danny doin’ there anyway?”

    Last period we were supposed to be answering review questions in our world geography book. Gazing absently at a picture of the Amazon River, I couldn’t help but remember Kevy’s frantic cries in the current. Kevy. A pang of guilt shot through me. I’d been thinking of nothing but Danny all day while my own brother was still in the hospital. Tapping pencil against paper, I wondered if he’d be able to come home that afternoon.
    An idea flitted warmly across my mind. Suddenly I had the perfect excuse to talk to Danny after school. He’d want to hear about Kevy. When the bell rang, I was ready to spring, books gathered in my arms.
    â€œCelia!” Bobby Delham called as I sped for the door. “Wait up, I gotta ask you somethin’.”
    â€œLater, Bobby,” I said over my shoulder. “I’m in a hurry.”
    He hurried to catch up. “I just wanted t—”
    â€œNot now, Bobby.” We passed through the door and into the hall side by side.
    â€œBut I was just wonderin’—”
    I pivoted abruptly in exasperation, which sent an eavesdropping Randy colliding into me. “Oh, sorry,” he mumbled sheepishly, fading toward the lockers along the wall.
    I gave him a look, then glowered at Bobby. He clutched a notebook against his side, his chocolate eyes apprehensive. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked. “What is wrong with everybody today? I don’t have time right now; can’t you hear?” Flouncing away, I left him watching me with a mixture of confusion and indignation. He didn’t deserve it, and word about my treatment of him wouldn’t set kindly. Everyone liked Bobby. I on’t care, I told myself. I o not care. Reaching my locker, I jerked out the books I needed for homework, started down the hall, then changed my mind. Spinning around, I headed for the back door, traipsed around the outside of the building, and managed to reach the street without running into anyone.
    I looked up the sidewalk. No Danny yet. With a deep breath I tried to settle myself, consciously relaxing my shoulders and tossing hair out of my eyes. Students were beginning to spill out of the building onto its wide steps, some glancing at me with curiosity. Most of us had our daily habits; mine was to leave school out the side door, cutting across the yard with Melissa. I was most conspicuous here. “Hi,” I said to them with nonchalance.
    â€œWho you waitin’ for?” Bart Rhorer asked, the sun reflecting in his carrot red hair.
    I hesitated. “Danny. He promised to fetch my fishin’ pole, and I need to talk to him about gettin’ it back.”
    Bart raised his chin and let it sink again. “Oh. Well, see ya.” He sauntered up the sidewalk, looking back with a knowing grin.
    I pressed my lips together, swinging my head away from him, and caught sight of Danny easing down the steps. For no reason at all my