First Drops:

I started my escape the day after I met Jim. Your grandfather knew he had the charm to get what he wanted. That�s how he won me over. Anyway, at school the next day. I acted on my role as queen bee. Everyone had their eyes on me. It gave me a sense of power over them. But, that didn�t last long. I became bored right away. That was always the same for me then. Come to school, be the center of attention, be teacher�s pet, and much else. Overtime, that had lost its appeal. That day seemed like another boring day. Until I saw your grandfather in the hallway. He stood among four other black boys talking. I literally froze up in the hall. I couldn�t take my eyes off of him. That boy towered over his friends. He did have a nice body, I would have to admit. That boy had me sold already. I watched him talk on to his friends. At one point, he looked up and saw me. I looked away blushing.

�Hey Starlette!� a voice yelled to me. I looked up right away. My old friends, Jackie and Mitsy raced up to me. I gave them a forced little smile.

�Hey guys,� I said to them. They came over to me. You see Frieda; they were sweet girls, but complete tarts. Swallow and air-headed. I don�t know why we were friends in the first place. Mitsy looked over at your grandfather and his friends. A disgusted look came onto her face. (Remember, we all grew up from old Southern families and old tradition.)

�Why are you even looking at them?� she squealed. �They�re gross!� I didn�t answer. What could I say? No, they�re actually alright. They would think I was on something. So, I kept my mouth shut. Jim and his friends looked up and saw us. I felt myself become stiff all over. Something was going to go down.

But luckily, the bell rang. We all scattered to out classes. I began to relax. However, the first drop fell during class.

I took history in the morning. My teacher, Mrs. Billie, retired over spring break. We all wondered who we would finish the year with. I looked around the classroom while I waited. Jim and his little friends sat near the back corner. I didn�t know why, but I couldn�t help but to smile at them. Your grandfather had worked himself into my head and wouldn�t leave. Your grandfather can do that. I wondered about him until the bell rang. I quickly came back to earth. Our new teacher walked inside.

He looked like a hippie. His clothes seemed to have come from another planet. The cork sandals looked ugly on his big worn ugly feet. The man�s hair looked a mess. He would violate many dress could rules in your school. The teacher looked around at all of us. We all sat grouped together by race. Intention or no, I can�t say. Either way, the teacher didn�t like it.

�Aw what�s this?� his voice boomed. �Segregation ended in the 60�s! So scatter out and regroup yourselves!� We all looked at him like he had lost his mind. None of us wanted to get up and move. We didn�t do so. We all stayed where we were. The teacher frowned.

�Come on!� he said. �Separate or I�ll do it for you.� We all did so after that. We all felt out of place when we finished. I looked to my left and saw Jim sitting next to me. He turned to face me. My face went bright red as I froze up in my seat. Your grandfather grinned at me and waved.

�Hey beautiful!� he whispered to me. I could barely speak at all. I just stared at him blankly. Then, the teacher called his throat loudly. We all looked ahead. He looked at us smiling.

�Much better,� he said. �I�m Mr. Cunningham. I will be your new history teacher.� We all watched on in silence. He took attendance and began class. We all watched this madman in front of us. We just couldn�t piece him together. Mr. Cunningham was like an alien to us. But, my mind got directed elsewhere pretty soon.

In the middle of class, I felt a small tap on the knee. I looked down and saw a note in my lap. I did a quick look around. Jim gave me a quick glance and winked. Suspicious, I unfolded the note and read it. Your grandfather had written:

Meet me outside after lunch. I have something for you there.

Your grandfather had nice handwriting. But, I still had me suspicions. Yet, I became curious. I decided to see what he wanted.

I waited for Jim outside. He took his sweet time coming. That boy grinned at me. I looked at him sternly.

�Okay,� I said when he made it to me. �What is this about? What do you have for me?� I showed him the note. Your grandfather didn�t answer me. He just grabbed me and kissed me on the lips. I became shocked. I hadn�t expected this. I wanted to push away at first. But then, I gave into the kiss.

After a few seconds, Jim let me go. I stood there bewildered.

�W-What did you do that for?� I shouted at him. Your grandfather shrugged at me.

�Felt like it!� he called. Then, Jim walked away. I stared at him confused. I could not get that boy. Though I didn�t see it at the time, the first drops of rain had fallen.

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