Free Eleanor by Johnny Worthen Page A

had skipped lunches the week before the test to rework his failed labs—a concession Mr. Graham had made only after Mr. Blake had made a personal appeal to him “on behalf of the school.” The week after the test, David sat with Eleanor at lunch. When she wouldn’t join him at his usual table he made a big show of carrying his tray through the cafeteria to her and sat down. Today he was waiting for her when she came in, and held her chair out for her when she sat down. Hidden behind her hair, she heard the unmistakable hush of all her classmates noticing the act.
    â€œYou’re embarrassing me,” she whispered and sat down in the offered chair.
    â€œThey’re going to talk no matter what. Might as well give them something to talk about.”
    â€œI don’t like people looking at me. I don’t like them noticing me.”
    â€œEven me?”
    She sipped her milk through a straw. “You’re not people.”
    â€œThanks,” he said. “Do you remember when you made that moose call, and that big moose walked right up to your door?
    â€œYou wanted to ride him.”
    â€œI think I could have. You practically speak moose.”
    She laughed unexpectedly, spitting milk over her lunch.
    â€œI’d think ketchup would have been a better choice for fries, but milk works, too,” said David. He mopped up the spill, chortling under his breath.
    â€œRemember when you imitated my mom and did that whole Daffy Duck thing? I spat milk out my nose that day. You did her perfectly.”
    After lunch, Barbara Pennon cornered Eleanor in the hall. Crystal Tate was with her and Penelope, fresh from a middle-school bathroom. Crystal stank of horses and leather; Barbara of cheap perfume and cigarettes; Penelope of vomit. They were color coordinated in Barbie doll pink. It worked on Barbara with the blond hair and slim figure and big bust, but it was a wreck on Crystal with her rugged frame and short chestnut hair. Nothing would look good on Penelope but a straw hat and crows, thought Eleanor.
    â€œWhat’s the deal, Eleanor?” asked Crystal.
    â€œCome on. Fess up. What’s going on with you and David Venn?” said Penelope with an edge in her voice that made Eleanor uneasy, more uneasy.
    â€œLeave me alone,” she said.
    â€œDon’t be that way,” said Barbara. “The whole school’s talking about it. We just want to know.”
    â€œIt’s none of your business.”
    â€œYou giving it to him?” said Barbara. “Is that what he sees in you? He can do better. Someone should tell him that.”
    It came on Eleanor instinctively; a muscle memory, a sudden recollection. Her throat tensed. Her vocal chords contorted. Her jaw jutted out. From her mouth came a sudden sharp bark before her teeth snapped in Barbara’s face.
    The girls staggered back. Barbara tripped over her backpack and fell on her boney butt. The others stared slack-jawed and wide-eyed. The canine yap had silenced the chatter in the hall. Everyone searched for an animal loose in the school. Unbelieving eyes fell on Eleanor and then looked elsewhere.
    She ducked her head and walked away. She took a deep breath and got a hold of herself. She relaxed, but her throat was too taut with adrenalin, and she dared not speak.
    She walked to the office and scribbled a note claiming laryngitis and wanting to go home. After a call to Tabitha, Eleanor was checked out. She walked home crying.

CHAPTER NINE
    T abitha insisted that Eleanor return to school the next day.
    â€œAct like everything’s fine,” she said. “Those girls will leave you alone and if they don’t, just walk away.”
    Eleanor shook her head. “Why now?”
    â€œYou weren’t ready for it. You’re taking chances with David. You’re stepping out of the shadows. Maybe you should let it rest for a while.”
    â€œNo,” she said. “He needs my