Free Pinned (9780545469845) by Sharon Flake

we started this new chapter, Mr. E. say, it’s clear most of us just clueless. “So let’s try somethingnew.” He asking a boy sitting by the door to close it. For Jaxxon, with his head down, to sit up. “I’m letting the best student I got explain things to you all.”
    Adonis sitting in the middle of the room, when a screen drops from the ceiling. A timer on the lights dims the room. He connecting his laptop, holding a laser pointer.
    Turning to page ninety-seven, I follow along. He read the problem out loud. Then says not to let math put you in no hammerlock.
    Carefully, step-by-step, he making the problem more understandable to us. After a while, Jaxxon sitting up. Eyes forward.
    In the dark, with my head as high as a peacock’s tail, I write myself a new word.
    Proud.

I t is awkward, uncomfortable, to be in Autumn’s company now that I know she is in love with me.
    On the mat, she pushes and pulls her way into a win. Never forfeiting even when she is out of her league. She is determined to shove her way into my life. Regardless of what I want.
    The library is the only volunteer experience Autumn has ever had. In private, Mrs. Carolyn told me this could be a very good thing. “Maybe Autumn will learn to love books as much as wrestling.” She winked. But something in her smile told me she wasn’t counting on it.
    Mrs. Carolyn’s nutmeg-brown shoes have new soles sewn on the bottoms. I notice them while she walks down the library steps. Pointing toward me, she handsAutumn a stack of envelopes. “He’ll fold. You stuff.” Then she goes to meet with Mr. Webb and his class.
    Autumn rolls up her long white sleeves, and kicks off her shoes. “You like the color pink?” She wiggles her toes. “See that P ? On my big toenail? Peaches drew it.” She pulls at the pink feather in her hair.
    Showing her the letters at the end of the desk, I explain how I like to have things done. Already I’ve placed labels on most of the envelopes. I began this job the day before yesterday. “All you have to do is stuff and seal them.”
    She scratches her cheek. “You like working here?”
    I pick up a letter, folding it so the ends meet perfectly. Then folding it once more, I pass it along to her. Shoving it in the envelope, she bends a corner, ruining my work. She is full of apologies. Why can’t she just do things correctly?
    I fold another letter. Sliding my nail along the edge, making a sharp, crisp bend, I put it in the envelope myself. Now something else on her is itching. Her knee. The back of her neck, too. She slides her chair closer to mine. “I’m allergic to libraries, I think.”
    Saying ridiculous things never seems to embarrass her. I hand her another envelope, holding it out like a gift, hoping she’ll realize how to treat it this time.
    The media center is always full. In between folding, I check out books. I teach Autumn how things work, as I go along. Every once in a while I think about what she said. Loving me is ridiculous. She does not know me. I bet she’s told Patricia, who told her she could do better. But I am the smartest boy at this school. She cannot do better than me.
    I love to see what other students are reading. I can tell by what they check out if they are good students or not. Autumn frowns at some of the titles. Of Mice and Men . Bridge to Terabithia . I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings . The Coldest Winter Ever .
    Jaxxon Teagarden walks past Autumn, clapping his hands in her face. You must keep an eye on him. He can be so disruptive. Sometimes he is too difficult for his teachers. They send him to the library to get him out of their hair. “You like him?” Autumn wants to know.
    â€œI don’t know him,” I reply, sighing.
    She wants to discuss Mr. Epperson’s class. She congratulates me on the great job I did last Friday. I am proud of myself. The other students appreciated