Glory Alley and the Star Riders (The Glory Alley Series) by C.DEANNA VERHOFF Page A

the field, toiling under the hot afternoon sun day after day, earning money to buy a Sliver. Kids like Olivia and Mandy who lived in the fancy homes on the hillside never had to earn anything . Everything was simply handed to them . Glory resented that very much.
    “I’ve played version four,” Glory said . “But I don’t care what everybody else says , version two is better.”
    “Really? ” Clash seemed pleased.
    “Yep,” Glory lied.
    “Version four has extra levels and it’s a lot harder,” Olivia said to Glory . “I bet I can beat you.”
    “ I doubt that. ”
    “Well, come over to my house this Saturday and we’ll see.”
    “Hey, Glory ,” stuck-up Mandy interrupted from two seats back . “Is it true your famil y doesn’t o wn a computer, not even a government-issued one? ”
    Yes, it was true, but Glory wasn’t about to admit it . Dad’s whacked-out conspiracy theories kept the Alleys in the dark ages and inconvenienced the entire family. A lot of assignments required use of a computer , which meant she often had to stay after school or go to the library in order to use one there. Glory made a mental note to buy a top of the line computer, a RECS , when she found the mother lode.
    “Is it true or not? ” Mandy persisted.
    “They have a RECS ,” Clash lied for her . “I’ve seen it myself.”
    “Who asked you, Clash? ”
    “If you have a RECS ,” a boy asked . “Then why do I see you at the computer lab so often?”
    “ She has five brothers and sisters .” Clash rolled h is eyes. “ Think about it. ”
    “I know why immigrant boy and h is frumpy girl friend are such good friends,” Mandy said .
    “Why is that ? ” Olivia asked.
    “ Because s mells of a feather flock together.”
    “ Shut-up! ” Clash said, shaking a fist .
    “ Like I’m scared of a skinny little runt like you and your fatso sidekick . You both stink . Yep, I said it. Like manure . ”
    “ Oink , oink,” a boy added .
    “ And what’s with that sweater? ” Mandy inquired. Glory unconsciously touched the course gray material near her neck . “ Looks like rat hair . ”
    “ Looks like mule hair to me . ” A boy made a neighing sound and then nibbled on his lower lip with his front teeth. “Probably borrowed it from Bucktooth . ”
    Clash s hrank in the bus seat, knowing they were referring to his large front teeth. L aughter and hee haw noises from the other kids in the area foll o wed .
    Clash ’s eyes well ed as he leaned h is head against the window staring at the stubbly fields whizzing by. Glory was normally quiet at school, as she and Clash preferred to keep to themselves , but this morning , anger erupted from the core of her being and had nowhere to go except up.
    Fists clenched, Glory stood then marched a couple of paces down the center aisle . She stood square in front of Ma ndy , who instantly stood at her approach. The girl was a head taller than Glory and wore a superior sneer . S he adjust ed the collar on h er pink leather jacket, which donned the coveted brand name, Ross & Wesson , across the left breast pocket .
    “Just be cause your brothers are bullies , don’t think I’m afraid of you,” boasted Mandy . “I’m trained in the martial arts . ” When Mark turned to watch the scene, Mandy tossed back her shiny black hair and puffed out her chest . “The Alleys are nobodies and everybody knows it.”
    Mandy’s mother owned and ran the martial arts facility in town, a fact Glory had forgotten until just now. Oops. But, h aving fought against the likes of Brandon , plus the twins , she was confident of victory. First , she’d tell her off .
    “ You flippin’ waste of flesh . Don’t talk to my friend that way. ” A line of p rofanity gushed forth like water burst ing through a dam , shocking even Glory . Mandy suddenly looked uncertain . A ll eyes we re on the two of them, so neither could back down without losing face .
    Mandy adjusted her coat collar . “Nobody talk s to me