Drawing a Veil by Lari Don Page B

could get away with at school.
    Amina laughed. “One step at a time!”

Chapter Four

What Is Normal Anyway?
    After break, Amina had history and Ellie had science.
    Ellie sat down in front of a row of test tube racks, and Carlie sat beside her.
    â€œSo? What did Amina say about the scarf?” asked Carlie.
    Ellie sighed. “Like I told you. It’s a religious thing. It’s totally normal.”
    â€œYeah. Normal for
her
. But what about you?”
    â€œWhat about me?” asked Ellie.
    â€œShe won’t want to pal around with you any more, will she?” said Carlie. “You don’t believe in God. You’re not going to wear a headscarf. How can you be her friend if you don’t do the same as her? She’ll want new friends. Maybe she’ll go to a different school.”
    â€œNo, she won’t!” snapped Ellie.
    â€œBut she can’t go to discos with that on, can she? You could come with me, though. Just like old times,” said Carlie.
    Miss Brown came in, and Carlie stopped talking. She scribbled a note and shoved it onto Ellie’s folder.
    Meet at 6 at the mall?
  Late night shopping!
    Ellie put the note in her pocket. She hung out with Amina most Thursday nights. But perhaps Carlie was right, perhaps the new scarf-wearing Amina wouldn’t hang out any more.
    At lunch, Ellie found Amina in the canteen. They grabbed some sandwiches, then went to the playground.
    Ellie ate her lunch first. She needed the energy to ask the question which had been worrying her.

    When she had finished her sandwich, she turned to Amina.
    â€œWhat about me, then?” she asked. “Am I not modest because I’m not wearing a headscarf? Am I a loose woman?”
    Amina looked at her carefully. Ellie looked down too. Pumps. Tights. Short skirt. Shorter cardigan.
    Amina grinned. “You look like my best mate Ellie. And if you’re happy like that, great. But I wasn’t happy like that. I’m happy like this.” She pointed to her longer cardigan, baggy trousers, and the dark scarf. “This is me standing up and saying I’m proud to be a Muslim…”
    â€œSTAND UP, YOU HORRIBLE LITTLE WORM!”
    The roar of anger came from the wall by the car park.
    Some Year 10 boys were gathered in a pack round a small red-haired boy.
    The tallest Year 10 boy, Dale, shouted again. “You’re sitting on our wall!”
    There was a quiet answer, in a voice so squeaky it had to be a Year 7.
    â€œThat’s Luke,” said Amina. “Liam’s little brother.”
    Dale turned to his mates. “What will we do with him?”
    â€œLuke’s got asthma,” said Amina. “We can’t let Dale batter him.”

    â€œI’ll go and find Liam…” said Ellie.
    But Amina said, “There’s no time!” And she ran, on her stupid heels, straight towards the group of boys.
    Ellie took a deep breath and ran after her.

Chapter Five

Musical Statues
    Dale had already picked Luke up, and was shaking him.
    Amina pushed Dale in the back. “Put him down. He didn’t know it was your wall.”
    Dale swung Luke into Amina.
    She stumbled back, and Ellie put a hand on Amina’s shoulder to stop her falling to the ground. Amina said again, “Put him down! He’s got asthma.”
    â€œThen he should be in the sick room. Maybe we should put
both
of you in the sick room,” jeered Dale. He shoved Luke at one of his huge mates, and stepped towards Amina.
    Ellie looked around and saw Mr MacIver walking into the car park. “Teacher!” she said loudly.
    Dale stepped back. His mate dropped Luke. Amina pushed Luke away, and said, “Get out of here, quick.” As Luke ran off, Dale grabbed Amina’s arm.
    Mr MacIver walked towards them. He had no idea what was going on. Teachers never do.

    Dale and Amina looked like they were chatting, or even flirting. But really Dale was gripping her arm too