One (Sarah Crossan)

Touch

Tippi and I are standing at the lockers

switching out our books

when a heavy-set girl from our homeroom

stops by us,

her eyes on the floor.

‘Are we in your way?’ Tippi asks.

The girl pales.

‘No. My locker’s next to yours.

But take your time,’ she whispers.

‘There’s plenty of room,’ Tippi says,

shifting her weight my way.

The girl shakes her head,

steps back a couple of inches.

Oh.

She’s scared to come any closer.

She’s scared that if she puts her hand

into her locker for a textbook,

she might accidently

touch us.

The Invitation

‘You guys planning on going to study hall?’

Yasmeen asks.

We shrug simultaneously.

We don’t even know what study hall is.

‘Cool,’ Yasmeen continues.

‘Let’s skip it and go to church.’

‘Church?’ Tippi says.

‘I don’t think so.

Not really our sort of thing.’

Jon grins.

‘Well let’s give it a try.

We might convert you.’