Hit & Miss Read Online Free

become even more uncomfortable. Mr. Beckham directed him to an empty seat in the back row, where Dave was not heard from at all the rest of that morning.
    From time to time one or another of the kids would lean over and whisper something to his or her neighbor,like, “Where are his cool shades?” or “He doesn’t look famous,” or “I’ll bet he’s a snob.”
    Derek didn’t respond. He focused on his work, but every now and then he would glance behind him at Dave. It seemed as if everyone else was doing the same thing. Dave, for his part, kept his eyes firmly planted on his desk. Finally, mercifully, the bell rang for recess.
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    It was warm and sunny outside. The last of the snow piles in the corner of the schoolyard had shrunken to almost nothing. Derek sat on a bench, eating the sandwich and apple that his mom had packed for him.
    As the kids who ate in the cafeteria filtered out into the schoolyard for the second half of recess, several groups started playing games—everything from freeze tag, to marbles, to throwing around a football, to soccer. Other kids just hung out together around the edges of the schoolyard, talking in groups or pairs.
    Vijay and Isaiah called Derek over to where they were discussing the team’s chances. “That kid Cubby can really play,” Isaiah was saying. “He stole home twice last year, I heard.”
    â€œI know he made the all-star team,” Derek said.
    â€œHe break-dances, too,” Vijay said. “He’s in public school, but they have a talent show, just like here at Saint Augustine’s.”
    â€œBreak-dances, huh?” Derek said with a laugh. “That’s cool.”
    â€œHave you ever tried it?” Vijay asked. “I bet you could bust some moves.”
    â€œCut it out,” Derek said, giving Vijay a playful elbow. “I’d like to see you try that stuff.”
    â€œHim?” That made Isaiah crack up. Vijay didn’t seem like the type to break-dance, but Derek knew that people sometimes surprised you, so it was better not to assume anything.
    â€œHey, I can do whatever I set my mind to. Right, Derek?” Vijay said.
    â€œRight.” Derek wasn’t going to say no. Vijay had always supported Derek’s dream. Derek owed him at least the same in return.
    â€œIt’s just not my thing,” Vijay concluded.
    â€œThere you go,” said Isaiah.
    Derek glanced over Isaiah’s shoulder and saw that Dave was sitting alone again. He had his elbows resting on his knees, and his chin resting in his hands.
    Derek’s memories of his own first days in Kalamazoo came flooding back to him. Most people had welcomed the Jeters, an interracial family, with smiles and open arms when they’d arrived from the East Coast. But a few people hadn’t.
    It hadn’t been easy for Derek in the beginning—or for Vijay, either. The Patels had been the first Indian American family to move into Mount Royal Townhouses. Derek and Vijay had made friends right away, but it had taken a while for Vijay’s parents to fit in.
    â€œHey, guys, you want to go over and talk to the new kid?” Derek asked his friends.
    â€œSure, why not?” said Vijay, who was always game for anything Derek suggested.
    â€œI don’t know,” Isaiah said.
    â€œHe’s on our team and in our class,” Derek reminded him.
    â€œYeah, but he doesn’t seem very friendly,” Isaiah said.
    â€œSometimes you’ve got to make the first move,” Derek said with a little grin. “Like in break dancing. Right, Vijay?”
    They all laughed. Then the bell rang for the end of recess.
    Taking the first step with Dave would have to wait until after school. Isaiah and Vijay both looked relieved, but Derek was determined to break the ice. It was what he would have wanted someone to do for him on his first day in a new