Don't Be Disrespecting Me

Pennies And Dimes

In civics , E leaned over and asked Ona if she had a pencil . She gave him one that her dad had bought from a New York City bookstore for $8 .

" Keep it ," she said , twisting her hair .

E sniffed . Ona smelled good , like always . He touched the tip of her soft Brown hair and wondered what it would be like to dance with her . Slow Dance . In a nice place , not in the basement of the school where the kids stank with sweat and danced like they were already in bed .

Ona tried to be cool . To act like she wasn't about to jump out of her skin 'cause E was so close to her . But she couldn't help it . Her fingers were shaking . Her eyes blinked more than they should .

" I . . . " Ona couldn't get the words out . " I . . . " She promised herself all the way to school she was just gonna come out and say she liked him . And that she wanted him to call her sometimes , even if her dad didn't want boys calling the house . " I . . . " she said again . But it was too late . The bell rang .

Noodles almost knocked Ona down trying to get to E . E pushed Noodles so hard his books feel on the floor . " Man . Ain't you got no manners ?" he said . " I'm with somebody ."

Noodles wanted to fight E right then and there .

He didn't like being embarrassed . But he kept his hands at his side 'cause E was his boy . He would let him slide , this time , he thought .

Ona was so happy . He likes me , she thought .

Then she brought up the homecoming dance . " You going ?"

E bit down on his lip and watched Noodles slink away . " Naw . I don't do stuff like that ."

Ona waved to her friend Maria . A few minutes later she was sorry , though , 'cause right away Maria asked Ona whom she was going to the dance with . Before Ona Answered , Maria turned to E . " For sure you're not going with him . Unless you got a dress that matches holey jeans and dirty sneakers ."

Ona grabbed a hunk of her friend's arm and pinched .

" Ouch !"

Ona's eyes dared her friend to say a word , then she and E headed for art class in silence . When the teacher turned off the lights to show them a film , Ona apologized to E . He played it off . Said he'd already forgotten about her bigmouthed friend .

" Anyhow , I could go to the dance if I wanted ."

Ona felt sorry for him .

" You going ?" E asked her .

She moved her desk closer to his . " You wanna take me ?"

E didn't say a word at first . But his head was full of excuses . I ain't got no clothes , no ride , no money for the dance tickets . But when he spoke , the word " Yes ," came out strong and clear , like it had been sitting on his tongue for years , just waiting to give Ona whatever she wanted .

Ona's head turned around so fast she heard her neck bones crack . " Okay . What color are you going to wear ?"

E couldn't open his mouth . All he kept thinking was how stupid he was for asking Ona to go to the dance when he knew his mother didn't have any money to get new clothes , and he didn't have a job .