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demolish any dude that tried to hurt her.
    â€œReally good,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve got homework already.”
    â€œDid you find the cafeteria?” Gerald asked.
    â€œYeah, but it was too hot and crowded in there. I ate outside with Joyelle. And yes, Gerald, I ate all the lunch you fixed for me.” Angel rolled her eyes at her brother.
    â€œEven the four cookies?”
    â€œI gave one to Joyelle. Was that OK?” she teased him.
    Gerald just grunted and pretended not to care. I could tell he didn’t think she was telling the truth, however.
    â€œDo you and Joyelle have any classes together?” I asked.
    â€œAll except first and last bell,” Angel answered. “I think that’s why the day was fun. Poor kid—she’s got last bell gym. Here she comes.”
    Joyelle dragged her way through the crowd of kids rushing to leave the building to the bench and plopped down with a groan. Her hair, which had been neatly curled that morning, was a frazzled, fluffy mess. Her new linen slacks, which she had insisted on wearing, looked as if they had spent the day balled up in the bottom of her closet. She was wrinkled and sweaty.
    â€œAre all the days like this?” she asked finally. They all laughed as I offered her a cold Pepsi. She gulped it gratefully.
    â€œThis was easy,” I told her. “Tomorrow it’s still going to be hot, but it’s going to rain. You can be soaked and miserable outside, and hot and sweaty inside, because they close all the windows. Not a good hair day.”
    â€œOh, my hair!” Joyelle moaned.
    We laughed. We’d all been there. Rhonda and Jalani walked over to us then. In contrast to Joyelle, Jalani looked cool, sleek, and self-assured. Gerald, who had been teasing Joyelle, looked up with a start.
    â€œHey, Gerald, this is Jalani—new to the senior class this year,” Rhonda said, noticing Gerald’s instant attention to the new girl.
    â€œWhat’s up?” he said, unable to take his eyes from her. “You’re . . . uh . . . the best thing I’ve seen all day.”
    â€œExcuse me,” I interrupted. “You’ve seen me and Rhonda and a zillion other girls today.”
    â€œAnd I have
never
seen you quite so bold!” Rhonda added.
    Gerald grinned, ignored us both, and tried not to show his nervousness. “Like I said, Jalani, you’re the best thing I’ve seen all day.”
    She smiled and seemed pleased. “And that’s the best line I’ve heard all day,” she told him.
    Angel asked, “Are you a model?” She seemed to be really taken with the smooth way Jalani moved and talked and dressed.
    â€œI did quite a bit of modeling in New York,” Jalani admitted. “It’s fun, but really hard work.”
    Angel and Joyelle were impressed. “Have you been in any commercials?” Joyelle wanted to know.
    â€œI do mostly print work. I’ve been in teen magazines and clothes catalogs. But you know that commercial for the hamburgers where the girl falls in love with the dude who sells the burgers?”
    â€œThat’s you?” I shrieked. We were all impressed.
    â€œI
knew
you looked familiar! Oh my gosh, you’re famous!” Angel was jumping with excitement.
    â€œNot really. But I made a lot of money. It’s in a savings account for college. I’m going to major in fashion design.”
    â€œWow!” Angel had a million questions. “Will you tell us about New York? How did you get started? How can I do that? Do we have any modeling agencies in Cincinnati?”
    Jalani laughed. “It’s nice to be treated like a celebrity, but I’m not one, really. And I promise, Angel, I’ll answer all your questions. But right now, I’m going shopping with Rhonda and Keisha to get some shoes.”
    Angel and Joyelle nodded with excitement as they gathered their books to catch the bus home. Gerald