Fire Maiden by Terri Farley

hands of you.
    And yet, he hadn’t apologized, either.
    â€œCoach Roffmore sure is late,” Darby said, glancing at the clock.
    Ann shrugged, then asked, “Do you still want to take Hoku? From what you’ve told me, she’s pretty green, and it’s probably just a story, but some people say there are wild horses up there.”
    â€œYeah,” Darby said. “But if there’s another earthquake, she’s got to be with me.”
    And I’ve got to be with her, Darby thought.
    Just then a rustle went through the classroom and a man—who wasn’t Coach Roffmore—came through the door.
    He announced that he was the coach’s substitute, then started writing a huge Algebra assignment on the board.
    Ann’s hand shot up as soon as he’d finished.
    â€œCan we please work in partners?” Ann asked, and Darby wondered how her friend managed to say it and still sound seriously studious.
    The sub looked dubious, but he agreed.
    Since Duckie wasn’t likely to hear her over the screech of desks being moved every which way, Darby confided her conversation with her cousin to Ann.
    â€œSo what do you think?” she asked finally.
    â€œI don’t pay much attention to cliques,” Ann said. Then, opening her Algebra book, Ann touched an example in her book and looked expectantly at Darby. “What I think is, we should make a list of what food we’ll each bring for our trip, while we look totally mathematical.”
    â€œGreat idea,” Darby said, then whispered, “I guess I shouldn’t be taking social guidance from Duckie too seriously.”
    â€œHey, Cousin!”
    Darby tried not to cringe as she swiveled in her desk, looking back at Duckie. She couldn’t possibly have heard.
    No way.
    Could she?
    â€œYes?” Darby hissed as if everyone else in the room wasn’t already listening.
    â€œJust remember, people who live in grass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
    Darby formed an “okay” sign with her fingers and gave a weak smile. If she had any idea what Duckie was talking about she’d know whether to be amused or afraid.

Chapter 8
    â€œD id Mr. Silva give you an F?” Megan asked.
    Since Miss Day had canceled soccer practice, they walked out of school together.
    â€œNo. But I have to get an A on that part of the project when we turn it in after break,” Darby said.
    â€œWere you the only one who didn’t do it?” Megan asked.
    â€œNo, even—” Darby had been about to tell Megan that even Ann hadn’t done her part, but she just said, “Lots of people were going to do it this morning and they couldn’t because of the earthquake.”
    â€œSo why are you, like, hanging your head?” Megan asked.
    Darby hadn’t realized she was, but Megan was probably right. She wasn’t used to being an irresponsible student, and the mistake had been bothering her all day.
    â€œI guess school is harder here than it was…” Darby hesitated. She’d been about to say “back home,” but she couldn’t. Every day, ‘Iolani Ranch felt more like her real home.
    â€œOr maybe you’ve got a life outside school,” Megan said. “It’s easy for nerds to get good grades, because all they do is study. No offense, because I know you used to be one, but it’s a lot bigger accomplishment if you get good grades when you’re doing chores, training horses—”
    â€œAnd playing soccer,” Darby put in.
    â€œI was talking about you, not me.”
    â€œMaybe,” Darby said, but she was thinking that Megan—by talking about nerds—had slipped into that same categorizing thing that Duckie had done.
    While they waited in front of the school for a ride home, Darby started to feel anxious about getting back to the ranch. She barely heard Megan talking about her excitement over the camping trip. “It used to be so much