November Blues Read Online Free Page A

is always there for you.” He hesitated a moment, then added, “Maybe the necessary precision and strict rules will add a bit of order to your life. We need your talent, Jericho.”
    â€œI’ll think about it, Mr. T,” Jericho said as he hoisted his book bag on his back. “But the football coach has been talking to me about coming out for the team. Maybe I need a change. All I’d have to do is sweat and run and tackle.”
    â€œFootball?” Mr. Tambori asked, sounding shocked. “Have you ever played before?”
    â€œI played all through middle school—defensive end. Actually, I was pretty good, but I got lazy. Coach has been after me since I got here in ninth grade, but I always blew him off. But I’m six-three and I weigh two-sixty, man. All the dudes on the team tell me they could use me on the line.”
    â€œMake sure you’re making your decisions for the right reasons, Jericho,” the teacher warned.
    â€œAin’t nothin’ right these days, man. Nothin’ at all,” Jericho said sadly as he walked away.

CHAPTER 6
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
    JERICHO PUSHED THROUGH THE CROWDED hallway, head down, a scowl on his face. He went to school because it was required, because it kept him busy, because it was a break from sitting at home every day feeling sorry for himself. But he rarely smiled, said as little as possible to teachers and friends, and kept his grief bottled up inside him. Some days he felt like he would implode.
    Then, as he stormed down the corridor, he heard a familiar lilting laugh, and, in spite of himself, his heart did a flip-flop and he looked up hopefully. Arielle Gresham, dressed in bright green leggings and a matching top that flowed as she walked, was heading in his direction. She held hands with Logan Holbrook, giggling as he whispered something in her ear.
    Logan was not only captain of the basketball team, but also had his own singing group, which, rumor had it, mightbe offered a recording contract. He had an after-school job during the off season, and he always seemed to have a pocket full of money. When the Warriors of Distinction had had their toy drive last year, Logan had donated a hundred dollars to the club to buy gifts for the poor. He walked with a confident athleticism that Jericho could only envy.
    Arielle, who’d been Jericho’s girlfriend until the horrible events of two months ago, looked directly at him but acted as if he were one of the dull brown lockers that lined the wall. She then purposely gazed up at Logan and whispered something while pointing at Jericho, and they both exploded with gales of laughter. Jericho could still hear them laughing as they disappeared down the hall.
    With his mood even blacker than before, he pulled his hoodie over his head and trudged down the hall to his class. He didn’t notice the girl coming the opposite way until he had collided with her. Her books flew out of her arms. “Watch where you goin’!” he yelled at her, trying to regain his balance.
    â€œYou’re the one who’s walking like an armed bulldozer!” she replied. “I was trying to get out of your way. What war are you fighting?” She rubbed her shoulder.
    Jericho looked at her sharply. “Oh, hey, Olivia. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt nobody. I just got a lotta stuff on my mind.” He helped her pick up her books.
    â€œLike Arielle and Logan?”
    Jericho gave her a look. “You don’t miss much, do you?”
    â€œI saw them a few minutes ago, headed this way, stuck together like waffles and syrup. She dis you?”
    â€œEvery chance she gets,” Jericho admitted, allowing himself a rueful smile.
    â€œGive it up, my man. Girls like Arielle are like champagne bubbles—light, sparkly, and full of nothing!” She smiled at her own joke. “And dudes like Logan…” She paused and frowned. “Nothin’ but caramel-covered