Unforgettable by Loretta Ellsworth Page A

rally after school?”
    The funny thing is, she never said a word about my yellow shirt.

The Ragged Edge of the Universe
    Even though I’m a firm believer in the truth, I can rationalize as well as the next guy. Mom said she wanted me to get involved in after-school activities. And okay, she probably didn’t have this in mind. But Halle’s eyes, the color of dark honey, definitely have something to do with my saying yes to a protest rally. I’d say yes to just about anything she asked me. And I get to spend more time with her. I get to be with her outside of school.
    I know it doesn’t mean she likes me. But she wouldn’t have asked me if she thought I was a loser. Or would she? Is this her new-kid pity duty?
    My only problem is how I’ll answer Mom’s questions without lying when I get home. That’s another rationalization, one I’ll think about later.
    We meet in the parking lot after school, near a black rusted-out van with more metal showing than paint. But what makes the van stand out in the sea of cars are the environmental bumper stickers plastered around the sides: GO GREEN , SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT ; KEEP THE PLANET CLEAN , IT’S NOT URANUS ; REDUCE , REUSE , RECYCLE . There are funny ones, too: IF BARBIE IS SO POPULAR , WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BUY HER FRIENDS? and MY OTHER CAR IS A PIECE OF SHIT . A slew of Vikings decals fill the spots between the stickers, giving a purple haze to the black metallic spaces that are left open.
    I arrive at 2:43. Halle introduces me to the group. I file away their descriptions in my mind: Gina, who has dark hair and pale skin and is in my study hall; and Roxie, who’s built like a linebacker, with a pretty face, long blond hair, and a butterfly tattoo on her upper arm. The driver of the van is an upperclassman.
    â€œThis is Eddie,” Halle says. “Our fearless leader.”
    Eddie smirks. “That’s because I’m the only one with a driver’s license.” His long black hair sweeps down past his shoulders. He has dark, intense eyes, and a T-shirt with a turtle on it. I think about commenting but decide against it. I don’t know how sensitive this guy is and he has thirty pounds on me. He can definitely whip my ass.
    I hold out my hand. Eddie just nods. “Welcome to the Environmental Club. You ever been arrested?”
    I let out a short gasp.
    Eddie’s face breaks into a wide grin. “Had you going, didn’t I?”
    Halle nudges me into the van. “You really look worried, New Kid. You have a police record or something?”
    How’d she know? “I have a mom who’d freak out if I got arrested.” But I’m way more worried about a paper trail for Dink to follow. Worse than that would be my picture splattered across CNN.
    â€œDon’t worry. We’re law-abiding, peaceful protesters.”
    â€œAnd we’re related to people who work in the mines and processing plants,” Gina adds. She sits next to Eddie in the front. He puts his arm around her. Halle sits in the far back with Roxie, which leaves me alone in the middle seat.
    Handmade posters and flyers litter the floor, along with empty soda cans and wrappers. Eddie has eaten at every fast food chain in town and most of it is ground into the dirty gray carpet.
    â€œYou’re protesting where your families work?”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Halle says. “Our parents can’t get fired just because of their activist-minded children.”
    I briefly wonder if there’s any inherent danger of Mom losing her job at the Tin Cup, but if they aren’t worried about their parents, then I shouldn’t be, either.
    Eddie makes a wide turn and the contents of the floor shift left. “But people don’t support us,” he says. “The Wellington Mine Company employs ninety percent of the people who live here. The town would disappear without it.”
    â€œSo why