Free Jumping the Scratch by Sarah Weeks Page B

taking public transportation, and I didn’t have any money with me to pay the fare. The main door of the school was locked. I knocked and knocked but nobody came. Then I remembered that Miss Miller had mentioned there was going to be a teachers’ meeting after school that day, so I realized everybody must be in the auditorium. I tried the side door and the one off the gym, but all those were locked too, so I shoved as many of the books into my backpack as would fit, and splitting the rest, carrying some under each arm, I walked down the street toward the nearest city bus stop. I was hoping the driver would take pity on me and let me ride for free if Iexplained what had happened.
    I was half a block away when I saw the blue and white bus pull into the stop up ahead and open its doors for a crowd of waiting passengers. Running as fast as I could, with the books under my arms and my backpack thumping heavily against my back, I raced toward the bus. I would have made it in time, but just as I got there, I tripped over an uneven place in the sidewalk, and my feet went out from under me. Books flew in every direction, and I came down hard on the rough cement, tearing open both knees of my jeans. It knocked the wind right out of me, and I had to lie there for a minute before I could even think about trying to stand up.
    Several people bent down and started picking up the books, and someone held out a hand to help me up.
    â€œAre you okay? That was some fall.”
    The soft voice was instantly familiar. I looked up to find Arthur standing over me, offering his hand. Quickly I scrambled up on my own and brushed off my pants, wincing as I touched my skinned knees. People began to hand me back my books and get on the waiting bus.
    â€œCan I help you carry those?” Arthur asked. “Looks like you’re bringing home half the library with you.”
    I shook my head. He smiled. Then he shrugged and pulled some change out of his pocket and stepped onto the bus. I hesitated. I wanted to get home, but I didn’t want to ride with him. I didn’t want to be anywhere near him.
    â€œAre you coming, son?” the driver called out from inside. “I got a schedule to keep here.”
    I could have waited for the next bus, but they didn’t run very often, and this driver seemed like he might be a nice guy. He’d called me “son.” I tightened my grip on the books and climbed up the steps.
    â€œI missed my school bus,” I told him as soon as the door hissed closed behind me. “I don’t have the fare, but if you give me the address, maybe I could send it to the bus company tomorrow.”
    The driver scowled and shook his head. I guess I’d read him wrong.
    â€œFirst you hold up everything and now you expect a free ride?”
    Arthur was sitting right behind the driver’s seat, so he heard everything. He stood up and reached in his pocket.
    â€œI’ve got it,” he said, and came over and dropped some coins into the slot before I could object.
    â€œI’ll pay you back,” I told him.
    â€œForget it. It’s no big deal,” he said, and sat back down.
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    The seats were all full except for the one beside him. I didn’t know what to do. It seemed rude not to sit next to him after he’d paid my way, but I really didn’t want to. The bus jerked forward, and I nearly lost my balance. With both arms full of books, there was no way to hold on.
    â€œWhy don’t you put your books down here?” Arthur said, patting the empty seat next to him. There was no other choice, so I stacked the books up on the seat and then stood in the aisle, one hand on top of the pile to keep it from tipping over and the other holding on to the strap hanging from the bar above my head.
    â€œMy car’s in the shop, so I got stuck taking the bus today,” he said. I didn’t say anything back, hoping that would be the end of it. “So you missed your