After breakfast-

I have to take the bus to school, and I'm not pleased to find that I am amongst the last to reach the school and make it into American history.
I am so mad at Tacoma I can't see straight. I want to wring his stupid neck! If I had seen Tacoma leave.....

All of the sudden, our teacher, Mr. Lundsford, gets up at his desk.
"Today we have a new student. Would everyone please welcome Mister Mason Smith."

I can't believe my eyes! Both panic and hope surge up in my chest.
HE IS THE BOY FROM MY DREAM!
"Mason, you will sit next to Rori."
I'm sure that my face is turning white and red at the same time. Mason walks over and slides into the desk next to me. He doesn't say anything, but he gives me a small wave.

I wave back, and then try to pin my mind on the lesson.
It doesn't work.
I look at Mason. He's staring at Mr. Lundsford. He appears to be paying attention, and trying to learn something.
Like I should be.
I start on my outline. I'm already halfway done by the time the bell rings.

***

By the time I get done with school, I'm dead tired.
PE was killer.
I always would prefer to read a book than go on a bike.
If I must admit it, I am a great big couch potato.
That's my confession.

I finally walk up to Tacoma in the hall.
Here goes nothing.
Sure hope this don't blow up in my face.
"Hey Tacoma, could you drive me home?"
I step back at the look of hatred in his eyes.
"Why should I?"
I feel like he just slapped me in the face.
I can feel my lips burning.
I will not cry.
I WILL NOT CRY.

"I thought that since we are,"
I choke on the words,
"brother and sister, that you might allow me to ride home with you."
"We. aren't. a. family. I'd never pick you for a sister if I had the choice!"
These words he spits in my face.
Then he takes a step forward.
"You need to get lost. In a gutter somewhere."

I step back.
"Why do you hate me Tacoma?"
I knew I shouldn't have asked that as soon as the words leave my mouth. I watch as Tacoma's eyes burst into two flaming beams of disgust, hatred, and anger. He shoves me back so hard I slam into my locker.

"BECAUSE YOU ARE A WHITE PERSON! YOU DON'T BELONG WITH US. YOU ARE AN OUTSIDER!"
I can feel the tears well up in my eyes.
"Hey!" I hear a deep male voice call.
Tacoma jerks his head up, and directs his angry glare at the person who spoke.
I look up.
It's Mason!

"You need to chill. Leave her alone."
I see Tacoma's face twist into a sneer.
"Whatcha gonna do buddy? She's my sis. I can do what I want with her."
I see Mason's cheeks flush with anger.
"Don't. Touch. Her."
I hear the steel in Mason's voice.
"If you do, I'll punch you in the nose."
I feel sick.

Just let it go Tacoma! This isn't worth getting detention over!
I can feel the tension build. Kids are starting to gather around. Everyone is waiting to see who will make the first move.
It turns out that I made the first move.
Big mistake.
I shove off from my locker and Tacoma grabs my arm. Tacoma lets go just in time to see Mason's fist plant itself on his jaw, though.

Tacoma sprawls backwards into the locker behind him with a howl.
I hear a collective gasp from everyone present.
Tacoma sits stunned, and then comes up swinging. He swings a left at Mason's nose, but Mason blocks the punch.

Tacoma tries again, and this time slams one into the right side of Mason's face.
Mason staggers backwards, but then he throws himself forward and slams a blow into Tacoma's nose.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!"
I hear the voice of our Principal, Mrs. Lobeck, holler.

All the students quickly move aside and make way for Mrs. Lobeck. I hear her high heels clicking on the hard tile floor.
She stops, and surveys the scene before her. Mason has a large bruise blooming on his cheek, and Tacoma's nose is bleeding.

"Well, well."
I can feel my legs shaking, but I step forward.
For Mason.
"It was my fault." I say, my voice shaking slightly.

I hear Mason's voice behind me,
"No, it's my fault Mrs. Lobeck. She," he nods in my direction,
"doesn't have anything to do with this."
"That's not true!" I cry.
He looks at me as if I'm speaking in another language.
Mrs. Lobeck raises her eyebrows.
"You three, come with me."

***

We spend the rest of the evening in detention.
When we get out, Tacoma stomps off.
"Hey...Umm... Rori. Do you need a ride home?" Mason slowly asks.
I smile. "Sure. And...thank you for sticking up for me earlier. You didn't have too."

His shoulders tense.
"No problem. Tacoma really needs to learn some manners. I won't let him touch you again."
I sigh. "Like he said, I am his sister.
Well....step sister."
Mason looks at my face and gives his head a slow shake.
"I don't get you."
He says grinning.
"You don't have to."
I say cheekily.

***

Mason and I walk out to his black Toyota 22/R.
"It's kind of dirty, I hope you don't mind." He says, shamefully.
"It's fine. Thanks again for giving me a ride home!" I assure him with a smile.
He grins at me, then pops the hood of his truck open.

"I didn't think you'd have much luck catching a ride home with Tacoma."
I try to keep smiling, but have to bite my lip to keep from crying. Mason looks up from under the hood.
"Oh.... I'm sorry..."
I rub my eyes.
"It's fine. You didn't mean anything."
Mason pulls the hood down with a thump.

"It looks like everything is good under there."
He gives me a lopsided grin.
I laugh .
"What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, I was just thinking of the look on my mother's face when we drive up."
Mason looks worried.
"Will I get you in trouble?"
"No, but if I do it won't be your fault."
He cocks an eyebrow.
"Whatever you say."
He walks around and opens the door for me.

"M'lady." He says with a bow.
I lower my voice as low as I can get it,(pretty low for a girl) and make my most haughtiest face and say,
"Thank you my most loyal servant!"
Mason gives a snort of laughter, and jogs around to the driver's seat. I hop into the truck and shut the door with a thump.
***
Mason has me in stitches by the time we get to my house.
When we arrive, Mason jumps out of the truck and opens the door for me again.
"Thanks Mason!" I say shyly.
"No problem, see you tomorrow?"
"Of course, but next time," I give him a teasing look, "try not to get yourself in detention."

Mason bows to me but says,
"If the fair lady is ever in peril, she shall call upon her knight. Right?"
"Right, and thanks for everything Mason!"
He waves goodbye as he hops in his truck, but waits till I am safely inside to drive off.