I cried when the sun touched my face. It has been a long time since I seen it. The others, they jumped and ran and laughed like they was free. I sat down in a corner by myself. I stared at the sun, then shut my eyes tight. I want to hold onto the sun for as long as I can. To save up the picture for when I am below again and need to remember that the sun is always shining. I squeeze my eyes closed till I see stars. When I open them again, Kinjari is there. —Akeelma The school detention room is in the basement, next to the boiler room. Damp. Cramped. Hot. Nothing but desks and chairs, with Miss Birdy, the detention teacher. Even when it’s snowing out, you can go sleeveless in there and still be sweating. Today ain’t no different. It’s hot. I’m sweating, and it ain’t nobody’s fault but Miss Saunders’s. So here I am, writing in my diary, trying to see the sun. I’m supposed to be doing English homework. Miss Saunders gave me twenty-five pages to read in two days. I don’t get too far with it, though.
