The Girl on the Outside by Mildred Pitts; Walter

rang.
    â€œThe others are arriving. Let’s have our party now,” Mrs. Floyd said, and she started up the stairs.
    Eva quickly joined her. “Mrs. Floyd, I don’t have a telephone.”
    â€œI always forget. I’ll come and let you know, as I always do.”
    People were arriving fast. Eva stayed upstairs and Bobbie joined her to help Mrs. Floyd finish the refreshments.
    â€œCecil coming?” Bobbie asked.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œI passed Carver today,” Bobbie said. “Saw him out there in all that heat for football practice. He just might not show tonight.”
    â€œHe will … he’d better!”
    Mrs. Floyd took a tray of sandwiches downstairs. As soon as she was out of hearing range, the girls huddled together.
    â€œEva, you scared?”
    â€œYeah, somewhat,” Eva answered. “If only I knew what to expect.”
    â€œShe just told us. Expect to be dogged. Girl, I don’t know if I can hold my temper.”
    â€œWe’ll have to. You heard what she said. We’re the example.”
    â€œGuinea pigs,” Bobbie said, taking a tuna sandwich from the tray. “I’d make a better other kind of pig.” She laughed.
    â€œIt’s gonna be …”
    Eva quickly changed the subject as Mrs. Floyd came into the kitchen. “What you gonna wear tomorrow?”
    â€œMama surprised me with a dress, and I don’t like that kind of surprise. But it’s a nice dress.”
    â€œYou couldn’t have tried it on in the store, anyway,” Eva said.
    â€œI know! Doesn’t that just burn you?”
    â€œWell, girls, one of these days, and it won’t be long, you’ll go into the store and try on shoes and dresses before you pay for them,” Mrs. Floyd assured them.
    â€œI like what you have on,” Eva said to Bobbie as she tucked in the facing at the back of Bobbie’s dress. The vanilla colored cotton dress had a scooped, round neckline and tiny buttons down the front to the waist.
    Eva thought Bobbie, with her glowing brown skin and long black hair, was the prettiest of the six girls. When Bobbie smiled, her round face dimpled and her laughter rang out of complete abandonment.
    Now as Eva smoothed the facing, she knew Bobbie was her best friend.
    â€œEva, you bring the punch bowl. Bobbie, carry this tray and I’ll bring the rest. I think everybody’s about here now,” Mrs. Floyd said, leading the way downstairs.
    The crowd had increased. Most of the seniors from Carver were there. Eva moved about, wondering what had happend to Cecil. Surely he would not stand her up.
    Mrs. Floyd arranged the food on the table and announced that she was going up to prepare her husband’s supper and watch the news. “All I want you to do, now, is have a good time.”
    The mood of the crowd had changed from what it had been when the nine students had first arrived. Now there was food and good music, but everybody sat around alone, or in little groups, subdued.
    Eva wandered over to Harold who again was engrossed in Crisis magazine. “Don’t you ever get tired of reading?” she asked and smiled.
    â€œNo,” he said, without looking up.
    â€œAw, come on, Harold. Put that magazine down. This is a party.”
    â€œAll the people in this room, why you have to pick on me?”
    â€œCause you’re so serious. You’re serious as a heart attack, man.”
    He laughed and closed the magazine.
    She laughed, too, then said quietly, “Are you worried?”
    â€œIn a way. But if they give us only half a chance, I think we’ll make it.”
    Just then Eva heard fast footsteps on the stairs. Cecil burst into the room.
    â€œWhere’s the party?” he shouted. “Hey, you guys haven’t gone to Chatman yet . Come on, let’s let the good times roll. Let’s party.” He made his way toward Eva.
    Eva waited with a bright smile on her face. The room suddenly