A Girl of the Paper Sky Read Online Free PDF Page B

“What were you chasing in the wind? You said something led you to the refrigerator. I don’t remember anything like that.”
    “Oh, right.” He turned to face me. “It was a paper bird that took me to the boy. At least that’s what I thought, until now.”
    He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, right there by the crowded hallway; just a quick peck, but it got my attention. It’s funny, because at the time I thought it highly inappropriate. It was only later that I realized it was the perfect thing to do.

12
    Each time I asked a question I would get an answer that led to more questions, but I couldn’t help myself. Brian had regained his cheerful disposition by the time I met him in French class. If his moodiness puzzled me earlier, his carefree attitude now caused me concern. Was I the only one freaked out by these crazy dreams and memories? It certainly appeared that way, at least from Brian’s antics.
    I didn’t know where to start when he sat next to me, and I had little time. Miss Lindbergh was still writing at her desk, but class would start soon. I let slip the first thing that came to my head.
    “What was that kiss all about?” I whispered.
    “Excusez-moi?” He replied.
    I pointed to my forehead.
    “Oh, that. Too early for lips, don’t you think?” He said quietly.
    I opened my mouth but no words came out. My time had come and gone. Miss Lindbergh was up and pacing, her eyes searching for misbehavior. Brian knew this. I heard him chuckle quietly beside me. I decided to ignore him and concentrate on my studies. It wasn’t easy to put the questions aside, and it was harder still not to steal a glance at him from time to time, because now I thought that he might be a part of my dream. My hold on reality had become that tenuous.

    Reality or dream, Brian was now a piece of a puzzle growing more bizarre by the minute. The time had come for a long, uninterrupted sit-down with both him and my mother. No more riddles or double-talk. I needed to know as much as I could about the paper sky and the birds that flew there. My mother had said he may be one of us , I was pretty sure of it. Was she talking about Brian? I thought she was.
    I grabbed his arm as soon as the hall bell rang. “We need to talk.”
    No French this time, he smiled at me. “I know, but I can’t be late for class again. It’s my second day here and I’m already getting a reputation for being tardy.”
    “After school then,” I said.
    He nodded. “Fine. I’ll drive you home if you’d like.”
    “Sure,” I replied.
    “I have the red Ford Mustang in the back row of the parking lot,” he said. “Like you, I have a thing for the back row.” He winked at me. “See ya then.”

13
    “Okay, fine. If that’s what you want,” Shirley said in a huffy manner when I told her of my arrangement with Brian.
    “So I guess you and Brian are an item now? Fast work, Lori.”
    She took off for the parking lot ahead of me before I had a chance to explain; not that I would have known what to tell her. I had the feeling my next ride in her car would not happen without some significant groveling.
    Brian stood in front of the Mustang, leaning against the hood. “Are you late for everything?” He asked as I approached.
    “I happen to be right on time. You’re early. Nice car,” I replied.
    “It’s my brother’s. He’s letting me borrow it while he’s in the army.”
    “The army?”
    “Yeah, you know, soldiers, uniforms, guns. He’s gung ho about that kind of stuff. He enlisted two months ago. It’s a thing in my family, starting with my great grandfather. All the men enlist in the army. The Mayfield men legacy, my mother calls it.”
    Brian walked around to the passenger door and opened it. “Hop in.”
    I must admit, I was not accustomed to such chivalry. I managed to thank him as I sat.
    “Now,” he said as he got behind the wheel. “Where to?”
    I pretended to think for a second though I already knew. “Are you familiar