Darcy saw Bobby’s hand coming at her face like a heavy club. It was all a blur after that. Cooper must have heard her scream even over the rap music because he and three of his buddies were all over Bobby and his friend. The hand aimed at Darcy’s face never connected. Cooper and his crew pounced on Bobby and his friend, throwing them to the ground, as the rap music howled.

Ain’t it a shame?

You got no one to blame,

When you’re six foot under ground,

And lookin’ up instead of down.

Beaten and bloody, Bobby and his friend crawled into the Nissan and took off. By that time Tarah and some other kids were there, cheering. “Way to go, Coop!” Tarah yelled above them all, helping Darcy up. “Little punks got what they deserved!”

“Thanks,” Darcy said to Cooper and the other boys.

“It’s fun knocking bullies upside their heads,” Cooper laughed.

“I was so surprised Cooper would help me like that,” Darcy admitted to Tarah later on.

“Shows how much you know, girl,” Tarah scoffed. “Coop might get lousy grades, and he might act a little silly sometimes, but he’s got heart. He won’t let no sister get messed up by some thugs. Coop is one of the good guys. He wants to be a fireman when he finishes school. They’re always saving folks. That’s Coop. ”

A number of kids had seen what happened in front of the school, and by afternoon Bobby and his friend were disciplined. The principal, Ms. Spencer, told Darcy that Bobby had been suspended for three days. She also explained that Bobby admitted to leaving the note on Darcy’s desk and making the prank phone call to her house. If he caused any more trouble, Ms. Spencer said, he would be expelled.

Darcy breathed a sigh of relief when she learned what had happened to Bobby. Walking home later that day, she thought about her run-in with Bobby and his friend. She could not remember ever being so afraid in her life. She had to catch her breath every time she thought about how that encounter with him could have turned out if not for Cooper.

Near home, Darcy looked for the silver Toyota. She half expected to see it. She did not know exactly how she felt when it wasn’t there.

Chapter 7

At school the next day, Darcy thanked Cooper again for rescuing her from Bobby and his buddy. Cooper turned her gratitude aside with a joke. “Wasn’t me done it, girl. It was that kick of yours. Man, you chased them away all by yourself!”

“Oh Coop,” Tarah scolded, “stop dissin’ your own self. You’re a hero and you know it. ”

“A hero?” Cooper repeated, his eyes huge.

“Sure. Like John Wayne,” Tarah said. “My Daddy loves those old John Wayne movies on TV. That’s who you’re like, Coop. John Wayne, only darker. ”