How did Melba spend most lunches at school?

After previous attacks from angry white students, Melba spent most of her lunches at Central High alone. She avoided the cafeteria, preferring to eat in a more secure spot.
Because there were no uniformed officials or National Guardsmen in the cafeteria, the nine African American students were often exposed to harassment from belligerent white students. Melba relates how her friend, Minnijean was attacked in the cafeteria a day before winter vacation began.
Accordingly, five African American students had entered the cafeteria for lunch that day. On her way back from the lunch line, Minnijean was taunted by two white boys. Minnijean had a big bowl of chili on her tray, and the boys would not let her pass. They heckled her, kicked at her, tried to trip her, and called her names.
Meanwhile, Melba watched helplessly from a distance. She knew that if she tried to help Minnijean, other white students would rush in. Since there were only five African American students in the cafeteria, Melba was afraid to intervene; they were outnumbered 200 to 1.
Events soon came to a head after Minnijean lost control of her tray and the heckling boys were splattered with chili. A school official soon showed up to take Minnijean away. Later, a white student cruelly taunted Melba with the information that Minnijean had been suspended. Events such as this prompted Melba to spend most lunches by herself, away from the cafeteria.