Free The Girl on the Outside by Mildred Pitts; Walter Page B

asked.
    â€œI’ll let you guys decide that. I don’t have anything new. Not yet, anyway.”
    They all gathered downstairs, laughing and talking—in a great mood.
    â€œThis time tomorrow, we’ll know what it’s all about,” Harold said.
    â€œIf the governor doesn’t blow the whistle and stop the show,” Arthur said.
    â€œHe has to abide by the federal law even if he is governor,” Eva said.
    â€œThere’re ways, eh, Mis’ Floyd?” Arthur said.
    â€œWe hope he doesn’t find any,” Mrs. Floyd replied. “But you know the governor. We don’t know what he’s going to do. As for now, I have the school superintendent’s word you’ll be going tomorrow.”
    Eva felt a surge of joy, and for the moment she forgot she had ever been afraid. She looked around the room. She caught Bobbie’s eye, and responded to Bobbie’s smile. How happy she was to have been chosen with this group.
    Of the six girls only Lisa, a freshman, was younger than Eva. All the other girls were juniors, a year older than she. Ronald and Arthur were juniors, too. Harold was the only senior as Eva was the only sophomore.
    Mrs. Floyd sat in the middle of the group and talked in a quiet friendly voice. “I hate to keep reminding you, but it is important for you to know that …”
    â€œâ€¦ this is no picnic.” Eva finished Mrs. Floyd’s sentence.
    â€œEva, you got that spiel down pat,” Bobbie said, and everybody laughed.
    â€œI want all of you to get it down pat,” Mrs. Floyd said. “You’ll be out there on your own and you must use the ‘buddy system’ as we’ve planned. Try never to be alone when you are outside of the classroom.”
    â€œNine out of two thousand,” Ronald said. “We’ll need to stick together.”
    â€œIndeed!” Mrs. Floyd glanced at them with a look more solemn than Eva remembered. “There are a few students who want you to come to Chatman. There are a few who don’t want you there and will do all in their power to make it miserable for you.”
    Eva looked at Bobbie, happy that they were buddies. They would support each other, be together on the grounds and in the halls.
    â€œJust so they don’t hit me,” Lillian said. Lillian was tall, an outstanding basketball player who had had to think twice about going, for none of them would be allowed to participate in any sports, or other extra-school activities their first year there.
    â€œI don’t want anybody spitting on me,” Eva said. “I think I could take anything but that.”
    Everybody started talking at once: “Don’t call me names.…” “Don’t step on my heels.…” “Don’t kick me.…”
    â€œNow, now,” Mrs. Floyd said. “There’s likely to be some or all of that. But I want you to promise you’ll control your tempers to the point you’ll not act the way they do.”
    â€œThat’s gonna be hard, Mis’ Floyd,” Lillian said.
    Eva glanced at the faces, trying to imagine how she could let somebody hit her and not hit back. “Why do we have to take that?” she asked.
    â€œGet it into your head, most of the students really have not decided whether they want you there, or not. They are neither for, nor against, your being there. So you must act in a way that, if they have to take sides, they’ll choose our side. See now? You must understand what you’re being asked to do.”
    There was silence. Eva thought of the Scripture—“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill …”—and once more she felt a little afraid.
    Mrs. Floyd broke the silence. “Now, you’ll all meet your buddies in the morning and you’ll go together as we planned. If that plan changes, I’ll call each of you and let you know. Any questions?”
    The doorbell