FOUR

Before the sisters could reach Rashid, the five jocks surrounded the small boy. He pushed his glasses up on his face and stood looking at them, fear showing in his eyes. The five older boys towered over him. It was clear why these five played football. And it was equally clear they were all good friends who probably stuck together in whatever they did.

"Rashid," said Gregg, "you sit next to me in Trig. You're Arab, aren't you?"

"Actually, I was born in San Francisco," said Rashid, glancing nervously at around at the five boys. "But my parents are from Saudi Arabia, if that's what you mean."

"Yeah, that's what I mean," said Gregg. "That's an Arab county, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," said Rashid. "But like I said, I was born in San Francisco. I'm an American, just like you."

"You hear about what happened?" asked one of the other students wearing a letterman jacket.

"In New York?" questioned Rashid. "Yes, I heard. It's kind of hard not to. It's all over the news."

"That's right," said Gregg. "Word is that it was Arab extremists who did it. Hijacked some American airliners and used them as bombs. They're saying that hundreds, maybe thousands, of people died today because of it."

"I heard the same thing," said Rashid. "It's terrible."

"Yeah, it is," said another boy wearing a letterman jacket.

"We just thought we'd escort you to the rest of your classes today," said Gregg. "At least until we find out if there are going to be any more classes today. And after school we'll give you a ride home."

"I don't know," began Rashid.

"Hey, Gregg, teach that towel head a lesson," called a student passing near by. "Show him that him and his camel jockey friends can't do that to us and get away with it."

"Mueller," said Gregg, turning to the boy, "you sit in front of me in physics. How would you like it if I started calling you that dirty Kraut in my physics class? I'm willing to bet you wouldn't like it very much, would you?"

"No, I wouldn't," said Mueller, perplexed at the question.

"Well, we don't like the terms 'towel head' or 'camel jockey' either," said another of the boys in the letterman jackets. "Or any of the other dirty little terms you might have for our buddy here. And if we hear you using them again you might just find how much we don't like them. Understood?"

"Y... yeah," said Mueller, turning and hurrying away as fast as he could.

"What do you say?" Gregg asked Rashid. "There's bound to be a few more like that around campus. Aren't many of them going to bother you with us hanging around."

"Really?" asked Rashid, noticeably relaxing. "I figured you guys would be like Mueller. A lot of people are going to blame any Arab they see for what happened."

"Hey," said one of the boys wearing a letterman jacket, "jock doesn't mean stupid. You can't help what nationality you are. Just like guys like Mueller can't help being a narrow minded bigot."

"So, what do you say?" Gregg asked Rashid, winking at him. "Care for a little company? Might even help your social status being seen with us."

"Thanks," said Rashid. "I appreciate it. I've seen a few angry stares thrown my way since the news broke."

"Well," said Gregg putting his arm around the boy as if they were old friends, "we'll make sure that doesn't happen again. Besides, you can give me a hand with my Trig homework. It's kicking my ass."

"I'd be glad to," said Rashid, smiling as the five boys escorted him to his next class.

"I'll be damned," said Prue. "I would have sworn there was going to be some trouble there."

"Just goes to show you," said Phoebe. "People can always surprise you."

"Come on," said Piper. "Let's get home. Phoebe has some phone calls to make and I want to turn on the news. I think I'll keep the club closed for tonight. I don't think too many people are going to feel like partying just now."

"Good idea," said Prue.

Together the three sisters turned and headed for Prue's car.

The End

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