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Ford nods. “Well, hopefully next month something will change, and they’ll have an opening.”
“Yeah, hopefully.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
AMBER: 8TH GRADE
Walking down the beige hallway at school after my art class, I turn a corner and where my locker is and find Ford backed up against the lockers…which are also beige. Why’s everything beige in this school? I’d paint the walls for them if they’d let me. Add some color, maybe a few flowers.
Ford stares straight ahead, not meeting the eyes of any of the three boys getting in his space. They’re not putting their hands on him, so I stand still and just watch. Ford isn’t a hot head, and his stony expressions usually bore the bullies enough that they give up quickly. Pestering someone isn’t any fun when they’re unflappable.
I hug the white canvas and paint brushes I’m holding a little closer to my chest as I watch, knowing Ford wouldn’t want me jumping in to protect him. We’re not in elementary school anymore, and I don’t need anyone fighting my battles for me, is what he said last year.
When I see Justin, the leader of the middle school bullies, flip a gold coin into the air with a sinister chuckle, my body tenses. This isn’t good.
“Oh, sorry…did you want your lucky coin back? You sweet little baby,” Justin says, his voice doing a baby voice that I know will drive Ford nuts.
“Please give it back,” Ford says calmly, too calmly. “My dad gave it to me. If you need money, I can give you the five dollars in my backpack. Are you running short on cash today, Justin?”
His voice is steady, not giving even a hint of sarcasm. I bite my bottom lip, waiting to see what happens next, and trying to keep my feet glued where they are. Ford is almost fourteen. He wants to prove himself.
“No, you asshole,” Justin says through gritted teeth, his two minions behind him snickering. “I have tons of money. Millions.”
He’s lying. His mom is a nurse, and his dad isn’t in the picture. Something Justin and I have in common. I’ve never even met my dad, don’t even know his name. He’s one in a million in the lineup of boyfriends my mom has had.
“In that case, you don’t really need my Cincinnati Tigers championship coin, do you?”
Justin snorts. “No, I don’t need your stupid hockey coin. But I can still make sure everyone in school knows what a dork you are, carrying a coin with you every day. Like a security blankie.” He says blankie in a baby voice.
Ford’s jaw ticks. But the three school bullies still tower over him. Ford’s probably stronger than they are, from years of playing hockey…but he’s still a head shorter. Ford is going to be huge; I just know it. Ford’s dad is the tallest man I’ve ever been around, and his hands are so big they engulf his coffee mug. But Ford’s growth spurt hasn’t hit just yet.
The bell rings, echoing down the hallways. Justin flips Ford’s coin into the air and when it comes back down, Ford catches it easily in his palm. Justin gives him one big shove so Ford’s back hits his locker, and then struts off down the hall. His minions follow, purposely hitting Ford with their shoulders as they pass by him.
Several yards away, Justin turns back and says, “You lucked out today, Remington. Next time you won’t be saved by the bell.”
I roll my eyes. Justin is so lame.
Ford heaves a sigh, tucking his dad’s hockey championship coin from college back into the pocket of his jeans. I come up beside him, smiling. We’re the same height, eye to eye. Ford visibly relaxes when he sees me and gives me a hesitant smile.
“How much of that did you see?” He asks.
I wrinkle my nose. “Enough to know Justin is a jerk.”
Ford’s shoulders slump. “He’s right, though. The coin is like a blankie. It’s stupid.”
Rushing to get in front of him, I stop, making him stop too. “It’s not stupid. People carry things around all the time and collect random stuff. Grown adults who drive Jeeps collect rubber ducks, okay?” I huff a laugh, and he smirks. “A coin isn’t even weird.”
“You’re right,” he says, and we start walking again, almost to the door of our social studies class. “Ducks are way weirder.”
I grin and watch my friend as he walks into the class and takes a seat. Ford is all cool confidence, not cocky or showy.
And I smile to myself, because I know something Justin doesn’t know—that when Ford Remington finally hits his growth spurt, he will be the tallest guy in school. Justin, nor any of his stupid friends, will ever mess with him again.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
