Summary

Out on the playground, Blanca rushed to tell Mimi the news of the pencil case exchange. Blanca was boy crazy and especially infatuated with her popular off-and-on beau Casper. Lying on their favorite playground spot, a wood pirate ship, they discussed the potential couple until a dazed Dee approached them. She seemed completely smitten as she explained why O had arrived so late in the school year. Meanwhile, the boys were starting to form kickball teams, and they saw O go to join in. Dee continued gushing about O, giving Mimi a surge of jealousy. Irritated, Mimi told Dee she shouldn’t date a black boy because people would make fun of her. Upset, Dee told Mimi what she had said was offensive, but she soon became too absorbed in watching O play kickball to stay angry.

O was relieved to...