New Boy

A new boy

has started eighth grade—

Victor.

He’s in the class with all the geniuses.

Victor is taller than most of the boys,

but that’s not the only reason he stands out.

He carries a stack of books under his arm,

instead of taking only the ones he needs

from his locker between classes.

Victor sits by himself at lunch,

reading.

Every few minutes he brings his sandwich to his mouth

and takes a bite,

then puts the sandwich back on the wax paper

without taking his eyes off his book.

I know he eats alone because

he’s new

or shy

or the only boy in school

with an Afro.