Chapter 13

Surprisingly, when school finally started, everything was going well. I mean I still got looks and stares from the white folks but I wasn't getting physically abused. Every time I entered my classroom, I heard whispers and there would always be a mean note on my desk from the mean boys, Mikey, Ryan, and Jim. Atlas and I are two years apart so we didn't have any classes together. It sucked but I got used to it. During mid-October, Mr. Richardson, my history teacher, made an announcement at the end of his lecture. "Ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, the school has a dance every 4 weeks or so. However, as you guys have noticed, it has changed. Dances will be held every two months to ensure that you focus on your school work before the marking period ends." Talk about being extra. This school goes by 5 marking periods, one for every two months. "Remember the clothing rules. No rips or tears. Formal and fancy attire only. For the men, no loose ties and for the women nothing higher than 3 inch heels and don't show too much skin. Got that?" Most of the girls groaned. We can't even wear shirts that show our shoulders because they are "distracting". I can't think of one person who finds shoulders attractive or bothersome. Next to black, being a women is the next hard thing. We always have extra rules. Anyways, I was internally happy for the dance. Atlas had already asked me in August and I already had my dress. However, I feel like I need to change my shoes. Atlas and I are supposed to go shopping later on today. I was on my way to the library to do my homework like I usually do. I placed my bookbag and all my books down and started to look for a certain book I need for math class. I heard someone silently crying. As I inched closer to the voice, I saw who it was....Wilma.

Like I said before, I pity the girl and I already forgave her for what she did at Atlas's party. Mom always says, "God says to forgive. We don't have time to hold on to anger and grudges. We must put forth peace in love in all that we do." It took me a while to understand what she meant but I ended up learning eventually. Even thought she isn't my friend, I took a deep breath and inched closer to Wilma. I tapped her knees and whispered, "Are you okay?" She looked up with a billion tears more tears ready to flow out and said, "Go away Mira!" She put her head back down and cried even harder. I put a hand on her back and said, "I'll leave you alone once you tell me once wrong. Do you wanna go somewhere private?" She looked up surprised and said, "All I've ever done is been mean to you. Why do you care?" I smiled and said, "It's okay because in this world people will dislike other people no matter what. It can range form dumb to no reasons at all. Sad but true, everyone must learn how to deal with it and get on with their lives. I chose to forgive you." She wiped her tears away and whispered, "Let's go to the back of the school." I was skeptical again and kept my eyes open for any surprises just in case. Once we got there, I realized she had started to cry again. I clenched my jaw and took another deep breath. Then I did the unthinkable...I hugged her and tried to calm her down.

There was a bench near by and once we got there she spilled the secret out. "I-I got raped, Mira." Anger flushed through my veins. It's not about Wilma. It's about these boys out there that think they can have their way without consent. She continued to tell me the whole story. "When school ends, I always run into the main officer of our school. He kept looking at me for sometime. Two weeks ago, I was walking towards the library to get some books and I felt someone grab me hard. It was him, Mira. The officer grabbed me and pulled me into an empty classroom. He blocked the doorway then forced me down in the back." More rage filled my veins because I had a very good idea of who this officer was. Wilma couldn't see my internal rage so i just took another deep breath and kept listening. "I-I didn't even scream Mira. I tried to get him off me and I told him no but he wouldn't stop. He just wouldn't listen." Wilma said. I held her close and said, "It's okay, Wilma. You were scared. Anyone would be shocked in that situation." Wilma got out of my arms slowly and looked up at me with one silent tear and whispered, "...I think I'm pregnant. I don't know what to do. My parents will be so mad. Everyone will think I'm lying and say I just did it for attention." I grabbed both of her hands and said, "I will help you." She thanked me and apologized profusely for the things she said. Then she squeezed my hand a little and said, "Could you not tell Atlas though? I know you guys are closer then friends and tell each other everything," I blushed an she said, "I'm not jealous anymore. I don't want him. I think you guys would make a great interracial couple. I just didn't want to say it before. Don't be creeped out but I've watched you Mira. Even though your almost the only black student here, you go about your life as if color doesn't exist. I like that. Will you help me change?" I was shocked and happy at the same time. I gave her a small smile and said, "Yes. I'm glad you changed your mind." Only an hour had gone by but the time spent with her felt like more than that. I walked her home then started going my way I looked up in the sky and silently asked him to help Wilma out. I smiled once I heard thunder and figured that I had gotten my answer. I started walking faster. I almost forgot that Atlas was waiting for me.