Chapter+6


 * Chapter 6**
 * Lactose-Intolerance Kicks In**

Doyle’s birdlike legs gave way under him as he fell to the floor. His insides felt like a volcano about to spew. The big trash can near the steps in the gym that lead to the exit seemed miles away. He felt as weak and wobbly as a newborn lamb. Dramatically, he grabbed his stomach and moaned. He was sick. One thought ran through his mind. He must be allowed to go home because he couldn’t deal with Taiwan and Dontavious any more. He had overdone it on the milk, and all his pride had been stripped away. The nurse rushed over to him and looked at his throat. “This is the worst rash I’ve seen in my 14 years here at this school. Someone help me get him to the office.” Doyle cried in a low voice. His eyes were red and watery. “I feel like I’m going to throw up,” he moaned and peered down. He looked like a bent pipe cleaner as he grabbed his thin stomach. Willing himself to contain the reflux, he closed his eyes and tried to get up. Kaitlyn was standing close to by and said, “Oooh, what is wrong with you?” She made a contorted face and pointed her sculptured index finger in his direction as she chuckled. Doyle raised up and leaned forward. He crawled a step, then fell to his knees again and puked all over her brand new Ecko shoes. She turned bright purple and looked like a giant piece of bubble gum that was about to pop. After she looked at the throw up on her new shoes, she screamed in anger and yelled, “You are the nerdiest boy I’ve ever met and on top of that you just ruined my new shoes. I hate you!” Everyone gathered around and started laughing. Looking around, she saw Dontavious was laughing the loudest. “What are you laughing at?” she screamed. Then she stomped her foot which slung some of the throw up off and onto the floor. Glaring at Dontavious, she said, “Stop laughing. It’s not funny. You better do something to him.” Then she ran off in tears to the bathroom to clean up the mess. Whitney closely followed like a puppy. Kaitlyn screamed, “Make him pay, do something.” “Whitney said, “Oh, we’ll make Dontavious and Doyle both pay at the Halloween party.” “How?” replied Kaitlyn. “You know how Doyle hates to get dirty? We’ll slime him and you know how Dontavious is scared of the dark. We’ll lock him in a closet and he’ll freak out.” Nakodia, the dark goth girl with an attitude, was eavesdropping. “I’m going to tell Dontavious what you said. I thought you two were related. I can’t believe you’d sell out your own cousin. How lame is that?” “Who asked you anyway?” Whitney came back and headed toward her. “Everyone in school is afraid of you, Whitney, but I’m not. You’re just a brat that used to be in foster ca…” Before Nakodia could finish her sentence, Whitney lunged towards her. Nakodia crossed the line when she mentioned Whitney’s past. She was overly sensitive about her recent adoption. Until a few months ago, she had been in foster care until one of the wealthiest families in town adopted her after they heard her story on “Wednesday’s Child” which features stories of children eligible for adoption. The Wrights, Whitney’s new family, had wanted a child for many years and were getting older so instead of adopting a newborn, they decided to adopt an older child. Whitney’s profile was appealing. She was very pretty, smart, athletic, made good grades, and was anxious to find a new family. The one thing that didn’t show up on her profile however was her hard heart. After spending five years in foster care, her heart had grown a little harder and colder with each passing week. She had built a black box around it to keep out the pain. She didn’t know if she could trust her new family but she was willing to play along. After all, they gave her plenty of money. For the first time in her life, she had things and she loved it. She flaunted her new clothes and shoes every chance she got, Unfortunately all the new things in her life couldn’t cover the years of rejection hidden inside her. She was like a time bomb ready to go off on anyone who crossed her and Nakodia had definitely crossed the line. Like a football player lunging toward his opponent, Whitney charged Nakodia and knocked her into the lockers. Coach Moreland came out and immediately broke up the fight. Both girls were escorted to the principal’s office. They were both surprised to see Dontavious sitting there. “What are you doing here?” asked Whitney. “Oh, I called Doyle some names when he left and Coach wrote me up. It’s so stupid. I didn’t do anything. I really can’t stand him. I don’t care if I get sent to an alternative school. I’m sick of this place.” Principal Thomas heard Dontavious’s comment and said, “Wish granted, Dontavious. I am sick of all the reports from your teachers. You just earned yourself a one way ticket to D.A.E.P (District Alternative Education Placement) for the next two weeks.” “Oh, that is so lame,” Whitney muttered. “I heard that Whitney. You can just go with him. I’m tired of the trouble and this school isn’t going to take bullying any more. I’m going to call both of your parents and they can pick you up as soon as they can get here. Enough is enough.” Both Whitney and Dontavious put their hands on the side of their heads and leaned forward. Nakodia smirked.