McArthur Swiney Presents : Color Blind

Chapter 1

                                                                                             A/N: If the grammar seems a bit off , I apologize, Im trying to make them sound a bit southern because language was different back then....

                                                                                                     Deloris's POV

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                                                                                                September 1, 1955

Five A.M is when I woke up to get ready for my first day. Momma and Miss Johns  worked hard to get me into that private school and I was determined to make a good impression. I was nervous though, seeing as I was gonna be the first negro to attend that school. I hope it goes well, Momma told me to not fret myself on making friends, I was there for one thing, getting an education and dancing. I'm hoping that after i graduate her I could get a scholarship to Julliard school of arts. I know that would be asking for too much with the society I live in but I have hopes. I rolled out of bad and carefully tip toed to the bathroom, careful not to wake my baby sister. I did my hygiene and then got dressed for school. With the little money I earned from doing a bit of side work, I was able to buy loafers and some clothing material. Momma used the material to make me a bunch of blouses and skirts for school and Lizzy gave me one of her school blazers. Uniforms or wearing the blazer isn't required but I wanted to make a good impression. Once I got to putting my loafers on, momma came knocking on my door and peeped her head in ''there child, its almost time for us to go,quarter to six, train leaves in forty five.'' I gave her a big grin and grabbed my bag ''Comin' momma, I was just putting my shoes on'' I grabbed my bag lunch and took an apple and headed out the door. It took me and momma twenty minutes to get to the train station. I looked around, there were all sorts of people, colored , whites, Latinos, all trying to get on about they day. We went to the back of the train and stood, I took a bite of my apple as I waited for us to head into DC. Once the train stopped, momma fixed on my jacket and kissed my cheek, We were headed in two different directions; I was to head three blocks to school and she walked almost half a mile to the Johns's Home. I took a deep breath as I walked, back home my brother or sister would walk me to school or most days I walked with my friends, but this time I am was walking alone. I ate the rest of my apple as I looked around. It was different from what I was used to, the houses were practically new, front lawns had beautiful flowers, everything seemed so quiet and clean. While heading to school there were a few white people who looked my way and whispered to each other, after all, it wasn't every day that you saw a black girl walking through a white neighborhood.

I stopped and looked; I had just arrived to my new school. My mouth was slightly open as I admired the big beautiful brick building with a lawn to die for. Everything seemed so clean and perfect; a big step from my old school, Lansdowne High. I took a deep breath and walked in with my head down. While walking down the hall I got a lot of gasps and whispers from the other kids, I clenched my books toward my chest and proceeded into the front office. I looked around, it was far better than the run down office of my old school. I walked over to the secretary, a middle aged woman with, slightly grey hair that was tied up into a loose bun, bright red lipstick that didn't suit her plump face at all ,and slightly pale skin; I could tell that she certainly wasn't an eye catcher in her days. As she was typing on the type writer and taking calls, I cleared my throat to try and get her attention. She peered over at me through her medicated glasses and gave me a smug look, ''May I help you, girl ?'' . I nervously gulped but looked her straight in the eye giving her a smile, '' Yessa Ma'am, I'm looking for Miss Keesley,  I'm the new student'' She gave me a face and stood up leading me to the door."Wait here, Don't move and don't speak to nobody, I don't want you going round making trouble on your first day. I'm gonna go get Mrs. Keesley''. I nodded my head and started reading my book by one of my favorite authors, Charles dickens. I've always been an excellent reader and my teachers always made sure  to let me know it too. Just as I was reading I felt my book being smacked out of my hand. I looked up and saw a boy with a big smirk across his face, I pushed my hair behind my ear and got on my knees to pick up my book as her kicked me across the head. "You don't belong here nigger! get outta here and go back where you belong'' I looked up at him with tears in my eyes, shaking with fear "I sorry sir, Miss Keesley said I could come here for my dancing'' He gave me a wide grin '' Dancing? what kinda dancing you doing?'' I stood up slowly and sat back down with my head down,'' um well sir, I do neoclassic,vaganova classical and i'm hoping to learn cecchetti''. He slowly sat down beside me and his facial expression softened, '' you really know your stuff huh nigga? well i'll go easy on you, don't expect no one else to, they gonna hurt you in here heads up; also im Don'' I gave him a small smile and shook his hand, " I'm Deloris,'' "well deloris I can't say we will be friends but like I said Ill go easy on you" Just as he got up , Miss Keesley came to the door. She looked at us and gave a small smile, "Well then Mr.Porter, I see you've gotten acquainted with our new student. Seeing as you two have the same first period how about you take her? I have a meeting'' She handed me my schedule and I got up following Don, "yes mrs.keesley I'll take her'' She gave me a handshake then I followed Don to our English class. 

As soon as We got there all eyes were on me. I kept my head down walking over to the teacher and giving her my papers. I looked up and my eyes were wide, I don't if my eyes were playing tricks on me but my teacher was a negro woman. She gave me a big smile and wrapped my arms around me, " Class we have a new student, her name is Deloris" I gave a small smile and kept my mouth shut. I scanned the room and found a few people laughing at me , mouthing harsh names. One girl I recognized in particular was staring at me with one of the coldest stares I ever seen. It was Nancy, Ricky's girl. She gave a big smirk and shouted ''what's this little ugly nigger doing here? We already have enough of you working here and now they letting you learn here too?'' Almost everyone howled with laughter and I just looked at Miss Sears who swallowed and looked the other direction before saying, ''How about you sit up here at the front next to Evelyn'' I slowly walked over and sat , looking at Evelyn and giving her a small smile as she just nodded turning back to the teacher.

It seemed like forever before the bell finally ran for lunch. I grabbed my lunch pale and headed out into the court yard. I looked around and swallowed; all eyes were on me. I slowly made my way to the far back and sat under a tree as I caught a few whispers and snickers from the other kids. I rolled my eyes and began eating my tuna salad. I looked around and took in my surroundings, it was absolutely different from what I was used to.

I was about caught in a daze and didnt notice a young lady sitting beside me. I turned and gave her surprised look. She smiled and extended her hand. ' ramilda vaine nice to meet ya'. I gave her a smile and took her hand 'Deloris, pleased to meet ya ma'am'. She gave me a chuckle and shook her head.
'Ya don't have to call me that, I'm not one of them' I gave her a look ajs raised an eyebrow before she spoke again,'daddy and ma was from ireland. When they moved here they was dirt poor. Worked on a farm to get by so I guess ya could say im one if you' i gave her a nod.

The rest of lunch we decided to get to know eachother. Once lunch was over We walked to class together and for once this mornin' i really felt like i made a new friend.

We arrived in chemistry and I lowly gasped as I saw who it was sitting toward the back. It was him, ricky.

I told Ramilda all about ricky and lizzy so she just nudged me and gave me a wink. He caught my eye and smiled and motioned for me to sat beside him. I slowly made my way and sat down.' So miss lady how is ya first day so far?' 'Quite the story, I made myself a new friend and possibly an enemy' . He raised an eyebrow as I finished 'ya girlfriend of course. She doesnt like me at all' he gave a chuckle, ' oh please she's like that with all my female friends, she's just jealous' i shook my head " nothin to be jealous of , ian nobody" he gave me a long smile and said " ya i guess yuh right".

We talked the rest of the class .

The rest of the day went by kinda slow. I got quite few racial insults but other than that it wasnt as bad as I thought.

It was a quarter to three when we got out of school. I was walking home til i heard a voice calling out to me.

''Darnitt Deloris, you walk fast". I turned to see ricky. He was runnin toward me. I smiled then turned back
around. " Ricky why you followin me'?" " to take you home , I gotta make sure you get home safely so come on and get in my truck" I laughed as I followed him toward his truck and hopped in.

As we rode, we talked about all types of things. Ricky just kept smiling and looking at me as I smiled back and blushed. Finally his face turned serious as he pulled into an abandoned parking lot.

I looked around then looked at ricky," why we stop here ricky?" He looked at me and sighed, " Deloris imma be upfront with ya, ever since the summer I've realized my feelings for ya and i know i cant be with ya but goddamnit you mean alot to me'