Raven (Orphans 4)

I looked over at Terri. She saw immediately from the expression on my face that something was wrong. I lowered my hand to the side, looked at the teacher, and then opened my hand. When I looked back at Terri, she was nodding with satisfaction. Five minutes before class ended, the real reason Jennifer wanted me to carry her lunch was clearly revealed.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Broadhurst," the student office volunteer said from our doorway. "Mr. Moore would like to see Raven Flores immediately. He wants her to bring all her things, too," she added.

"Raven," she said, nodding at me. I glanced at Terri, whose eyes were filled with worry. I smiled and winked at her to reassure her.

I scooped everything into my arms, glanced once more at Terri, and followed the student volunteer. As I left the classroom, I stuffed the wax paper and joint into my bra. I had seen girls do this at my old school. No one would look there. It was a very serious thing to strip-search a student. Male teachers were terrified of even suggesting such a thing, and the girls knew it.

Mr. Moore was standing at his desk when I entered his office. He gazed at me and then nodded at the student volunteer.

"Close the door," he told her. She glanced at me with interest, stepped out, and did so. "Sit," he ordered, nodding at the chair. I sat quickly, and he stood over me.

"It has always been my policy to handle my problems in house, if possible," he began, gazing at me quickly to catch my reaction. "That doesn't mean I don't tell parents what goes on. I have an obligation to do that, but the rest of the world doesn't have to see our dirty laundry."

"What do you want from me?" I demanded.

His eyebrows hoisted with surprise at my courage. "I know you've had a poor background and upbringing, and that goes to explain poor behavior, but you're at an age now when you will be held accountable for your actions, young lady. I can assure you of that."

I looked away, my eyes fixed on one of his plaques, and waited.

"If there is something illegal in your lunch bag, I want you to take it out now, leave it on my desk, and go to class. Later, we'll discuss it, and believe me, that is a major favor be doing for you."

My heart thumped, and then I smiled. I leaned down and opened my lunch bag, slowly taking out the sandwich and the cookie. Then I turned the bag inside out and placed it next to the food. I waited.

"What about that bag?" he asked, nodding at the other.

"That's my cousin's, even though my name is somehow on it. I was doing her a favor. Her arms were full of books and her social studies project."

"How do I know that's hers if your name is on it?" he asked.

"You don't, but we have the same lunch, so it doesn't matter," I said, and took out the sandwich and the cookie. I did the same thing with her bag, turning it inside out, and waited.

His eyes went from the harmless contents to my books and then to me.

"Can I at least know what you're looking for?" I asked.

"Never mind," he said. "Put all that back."

I did so slowly. "I don't think it's fair for me to be singled out for no reason," I said. "It's

embarrassing to be called out of class like this."

His shoulders shot up as if I had snapped a rubber band in his face. "I have a very big

responsibility here," he said. "Many young lives are in my hands, and"--he lifted a thick folder--"I have read your records from your previous school. Frankly, if you did all this here, I would consider having you taken to family court. I'm not surprised-your mother's in prison."

"I haven't done anything wrong," I shot back at him.

"We'll see," he said.

"Who told you I did?" I asked.

"That's none of your concern. Very well, return to your classes," he ordered. "And just remember," he said, tapping my previous school record folder, "I'll be keeping my eye on you."

I got up quickly and left his office. The bell had rung, so the secretary had to give me a late pass. When I got to my next class, Terri looked up expectantly. I nodded and smiled to let her know everything was fine. After class, I told her what I had done and what had happened.

"She tried to set me up and get me into trouble."

"It doesn't surprise me. Jennifer and her friends are always getting other people in trouble," Terri said. "You better watch your back."