Just Another Hero Read Online Free

three of them gently set Eric onto the chair and stood close to him so he wouldn’t tilt and fall. Eric had broken his back the summer before seventh grade playing Daredevil by jumping from a tree to a swimming pool. He’d missed the pool and landed on concrete. Kofi winced just thinking about it.
    â€œThanks, dudes,” said Eric. “And props on the chair, Kofi. This is a whole lot better than coolin’ my butt in the snow.”
    â€œLike Weird Osrick over there?” Kofi asked. “The kid is sitting in a snowbank!”
    â€œDid somebody toss him over there?” Cleveland asked, frowning.
    â€œNo, I think he did it on purpose to beat them to it!” “Definitely weird,” said Cleveland, turning back to Eric.“You know, if we had tried to move your electric car, we’d still be up there!”
    â€œYeah, that thing weighs, like, a million pounds,” Jericho added. “What do they do in your other classes when Crazy Jack pulls the alarm?”
    â€œYou think it was Jack?”
    â€œWell, he did have to go to the bathroom just as the alarm went off.”
    â€œHe got shorts on, man,” Cleveland said. “Even Jack ain’t that crazy.”
    Jack, his legs bright red in the cold air, was doing a series of jumping jacks to keep himself warm. A few other kids had joined him, laughing as they jumped on the snowy sidewalk. Kofi noticed Susan Richards, the girl who had won a free ride to Juilliard for dance, quietly doing stretches instead of leaps.
    â€œWe ought to change your name to Jumping Jack!” a senior named Rudy called out breathlessly.
    Eric shivered in the cold morning air. “Well, most of my classes are on the first floor, so getting me out of the building is not usually a problem. I just roll out down the ramp. It’s just math and chemistry that are upstairs.”
    â€œMan, it is cold!” Cleveland moaned, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “A fire drill in February is just plain stupid!”
    Other kids from the chemistry class huddled close to them, shielding Eric and using one another for warmth. Jericho had his arm around Olivia. November was on her cell phone, as were many other kids.
    â€œFor a school that doesn’t allow cell phones, this placelooks like a TV ad for a cell phone company!” said Kofi.
    He was standing close enough to November to overhear her side of the phone call.
    â€œSo she’s asleep?…How much formula did she take?…She likes that yellow blanket, you know. Just put it close to her…. Rub her tummy if she gets fussy…. And don’t forget the music. She loves classical!…I’ll see you at three. Thanks, Laura.”
    She clicked her phone closed, and her shoulders slumped.
    â€œIt’s hard being a mom, right?” Kofi asked her gently.
    â€œYeah. I never thought how hard it would be to leave her.”
    â€œWho watches the baby?” asked Rosa.
    â€œA woman who lives two blocks away has a home day care. She’s like a mama-grandmama rolled into one. A cute little old lady. She’s really sweet with the kids and experienced—but most important, I can afford her! I filled out some paperwork and got some help from the state, but I gotta find a job when school gets out,” November explained.
    â€œAnd all I got to worry about is what color to do my nails this week!” Rosa said. “Better you than me!”
    Kofi told November, “You know, it is what it is until you make it better.”
    â€œThat’s deep. Where’d you get that? I’m gonna put it on my wall at home.”
    â€œKofi’s Book of Quotations. Chapter Three: Deep Thoughts.”
    â€œYou’re silly,” November replied.
    Olivia joined them then, clapping her hands together to keep them warm. “What’s up, little mama?” she asked. “How’s my favorite baby girl doing at the babysitter?”
    â€œI