Chapter 3

After what seemed like an eternity, the time had come for students to return home. They all poured through the double doors leading outside Clinton Avenue Elementary – eager to relax at home with their friends and families. Cindy herself hurried and looked around the halls for Bobby so that the two could go home together. However, to her dismay, she had trouble finding her brother in the loud, chattering crowd of students.

"Bobby? Bobby, where are you?" Cindy nearly shouted as she continued turning her head left and right. Then, she noticed a familiar girl in a green blouse, orange plaid pants, and green bandana. Cindy nearly recoiled – knowing that Camille had been quite hostile toward her – but why? Cindy wanted to know – or at least apologize for that day's incidents. Also, even though it was Friday, perhaps the girls could do some preliminary work on their assignment for Mr. Carmichael's class.

Nervously, Cindy approached Camille from behind. The corridor had suddenly become quieter, so Cindy was able to speak softly. "Uh, hey, excuse me, Camille?"

The African-American girl turned around and scowled at Cindy. The hostility in her eyes did in fact make Cindy recoil, and she almost wished that she hadn't spoken to the girl. "What do you want?" Camille snapped.

Cindy's eyes bulged in fright. "I-I just wanted to apologize for everything that happened today."

Camille just scoffed, turned around, and headed out one of the double doors. Cindy followed behind her and shivered a little upon stepping outside in the cool air.

"Look, Camille, I know that you're mad, but please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you. This morning, I was almost late for school, and I was so tired that I fell and bumped into the door. I didn't mean to hit you. I also didn't mean to bump into you at the fountain. Please…I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."

Camille stopped, turned back her head, and looked at Cindy. The African-American girl crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Right…" Camille said slowly.

Cindy smiled as her face lit up. "Really? Oh, that's wonderful!" she exclaimed – her braided hair bouncing as she jumped. "Maybe we can get started on that assignment in Mr. Carmichael's class! Maybe you can come over to my house and meet my family – "

"I don't think so," Camille interrupted coldly before she turned and continued walking away from the school.

The smile vanished from Cindy's face. "Well, okay," the eleven-year-old said as she followed behind Camille. "Umm…so, what was your life like in Compton?" To Cindy's dismay, Camille said nothing and continued walking away. "What's your family like?" Once again, Cindy's questions were answered with nothing but silence. "You know what? Maybe I could go to your house if that's okay – "

Camille suddenly spun around and shouted, "NO!"

Cindy was so startled that she stumbled backwards about a foot and shivered. "C-Camille! I don't understand!"

"What's not to understand? I don't want to talk with you!" snapped Camille – her voice bouncing off nearby trees.

"But Camille, we've got an assignment! How am I supposed to learn about Compton without your help? And you still haven't answered my question – why are you still so mad at me even when I apologized? I don't understand!"

"That's just it! You DON'T understand! You people have no idea what my people have been through, and you're sadly mistaken if you think an 'apology' is supposed to fix everything! Maybe if you could actually live as I've lived, you'd truly understand! You never will, though, so LEAVE ME ALONE!" Camille then spun around and stormed away.

Cindy stood speechless for a few minutes. Despite everything that Camille had told her, Cindy still didn't understand. Thoughts raced through her mind. "Why is still so upset even after I apologized? What do 'her people' have to do with what happened at school? What did she even mean by 'her people' and 'my people?'"

"Cindy? Hey, Cindy?" called a familiar voice – cutting through the eleven-year-old's head. She looked around and saw Bobby running toward her. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" A frown formed on his face as he noticed Cindy's own frown. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now," Cindy said. "Let's just go home." Bobby nodded, and with that, the two resumed heading home.