Page 30 of The Black Flamingo

---

I just went into this rage. I broke

one of their noses and gave the other

one a black eye and even though

I was the good guy, I still got expelled.”

“That’s so unfair,” says Faith.

“Sooo unfair,” repeats Destiny.

In science, Daisy’s silence feels different.

“I waited for you in B24,” she mutters.

I feel myself getting hot. “I’m so sorry.

I totally forgot.”

Daisy turns away. “Don’t worry about it.”

I feel like I need to say

something

to make her talk to me.

“I didn’t forget.

I mean, I got distracted.

These girls

started speaking to me

in the cafeteria.

Grace, Faith, and Destiny.

Do you know them?”

“Yeah,” replies Daisy. “They’re mean.”

“Oh, really? They seem really cool.”

“Figures. They’re only nice to boys.”

For the rest of my first week,

I eat in the cafeteria with Grace,

Faith, and Destiny for half of lunch break.

They’re in my year but different classes.

They gossip about other girls

and crush over boys. I laugh

---