Free Just Another Hero by Sharon M. Draper Page B

well, you know how it is.”
    He looked up at Dana and hoped she had believed him.
    She seemed to soften. “I’m sorry, Kofi. I sometimes forget you live in Wack City.”
    â€œBig-time,” he agreed. But his mind was scrambling, trying to figure how he could have been so completely out of it.
    â€œYou could have called or texted me to let me know,” she reminded him, hands on hips.
    â€œIt won’t happen again, sugar lips.”
    â€œIf you want to taste these lips of sugar, it better not!” she teased. Then she got some lip gloss out of her purse and applied it slowly so he could see every stroke. “Suffer!” she said, and then dropped it back into her bag.
    He grinned, took a sip of water, and popped an Oxy into his mouth.
    â€œWhat’s that you’re taking?” she asked. Her smile had disappeared.
    â€œIt was an aspirin—what’s the big deal? I got a wicked headache.”
    â€œIt looked more like one of those pain pills you were taking when you broke your arm.”
    â€œIt was just a plain old ordinary aspirin—quit sweatin’ me.”
    â€œLet me see the bottle.”
    â€œNo! What are you, some kind of narc?” he asked her defensively.
    She reached into the outside pocket of his backpack even as he twisted away from her, trying to make her stop. But she was quick. Neither of them said anything for a moment as she held the bottle accusingly in her hand.
    â€œThese things are easy to get hooked on, Kofi.”
    â€œI’m not jammed.”
    â€œSo why are you still taking them?”
    â€œThey relax me.”
    â€œTry taking a hot shower instead.”
    â€œYou don’t understand the stress I’m under, Dana!”
    â€œI know lots more than you think. You better lay off those things,” she warned.
    â€œI can stop anytime I want to.”
    â€œProve it.”
    â€œNo problem. Take them. You can even keep the whole bottle.”
    Tilting her head quizzically, she stared at the bottle, which contained only two tablets, then tucked it into her purse. “No more?” she asked.
    â€œStraight up,” he replied.
    But Kofi knew he had a full refill at home.

ARIELLE
CHAPTER 10
    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
    ARIELLE’S MOTHER WAITED FOR HER OUTSIDE the school in her brand-new, strawberry red Mercedes. Even though it was February and most cars were covered with the muck of dirty, leftover snow, this one gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. Arielle had to admit it stood out and looked really good in the line of vehicles waiting to pick up students.
    â€œMust be nice to have a rich daddy!” somebody yelled as Arielle walked over to the car. She just shook her head and waved. If only they knew.
    She tossed her book bag into the back, slid into the front seat, buckled the seat belt, and inhaled deeply. The car enveloped her with a lemony scent.
    â€œHi, sweetie,” her mother said. “How was school?”
    â€œI survived another day,” said Arielle with a shrug.
    â€œTalk to any cute boys?”
    â€œOh, Mom. Give me a break!” Arielle cried. Quickly changing the subject, she said, “The car looks nice.”
    Her mother beamed. “Chad likes it when I get it cleaned and detailed before I get home.”
    â€œYeah, right. Good old Chad.” She stared stonily out the window.
    â€œWhy are you so down on him, Arielle? He is so good to us.”
    â€œGood to you, maybe.” She slumped down in the heated leather seat.
    â€œRemember where we came from, Arielle,” her mother reminded her gently.
    â€œI know. I know.” Arielle crossed her arms over her chest.
    â€œEverything I do is for you and your future, you know. Your college education is secure, and you can go anywhere you choose!”
    â€œCan I go tomorrow?”
    Her mother reached over and touched her daughter’s hand but had nothing to say. She continued to drive down the winter-dirty