Don't Forget Me! Read Online Free PDF Page B

Burger Palace or something?”
    â€œCool!” he cried. He jumped to his feet. “When are we going? Now? I’m starving!”
    I burst out laughing. That was the same old Peter! He’d do anything to hang out with my friends.
    I had a big smile on my face as I hurried back to the phone to tell Zack we had a date.
    Burger Palace was noisy and jammed with people, even though it was a Sunday night. The three of us found a booth in the back. Zack and I slid in on one side. Peter playfully tried to shove into the same side.
    â€œGet over there!” I cried, pushing him out. “You’re not funny.”
    He laughed and moved to the other side of the table. Then he picked up the menu—upside down—and pretended to read it.
    Normally, Peter’s stunts to get attention drive me crazy. But tonight I was so thrilled to see him acting like himself, I didn’t care if he stood on his head on the table!
    â€œThis was an excellent idea,” I told Zack. We started to talk about school and kids we knew. I realized I really liked Zack. I wondered if he really liked me too.
    Of course, Peter kept butting into the conversation. He had about a dozen dumb jokes that he insisted on telling.
    But I didn’t get tense about it. I sat back and enjoyed myself.
    I felt so good. So relaxed.
    So relieved.
    I stayed in a good mood until the food came.
    Then I stared across the table at my brother. I stared with growing horror as he picked up French fries and stuffed them into his mouth, then picked up his double cheeseburger.
    â€œPeter—!” I gasped. “What are you doing?”
    He gazed at me, chewing hard. “Huh? What’s wrong?”
    â€œYou—you’re right-handed,” I said. “Why are you eating with your left hand?”

 

    Mom and Dad called a few minutes after we returned home.
    â€œHi.” I knew it was them before I answered.
    â€œWe’re in the car, on the way to the hotel,” Mom said. “Is everything okay, Danielle?”
    I opened my mouth to tell them that everything wasn’t okay. Come home, quick. I accidentally hypnotized Peter and now he isn’t the same. I cast some kind of spell on him, and he’s acting totally weird.
    But I couldn’t tell them. I couldn’t. Besides, I knew they wouldn’t believe me. Who would believe a crazy story like that?
    â€œFine,” I said. “Everything is fine, Mom.”
    We talked for a minute or so. I told her we went to Burger Palace for dinner. Mom said something, but I couldn’t hear very well. The connection kept cutting out.
    I told her Peter was up in his room doing homework for tomorrow. She didn’t seem to hear me. “Peter is fine,” I lied.
    â€œWho?” The phone crackled with static.
    â€œPeter,” I repeated.
    â€œI can’t hear you,” Mom shouted. “I’d better get off. We’ll be home tomorrow night.”
    Then silence. The connection was lost.
    When I clicked off the phone, I was shaking. I hate lying to my parents. But what choice did I have?
    Peter will be normal again by the time they return home tomorrow night, I told myself. Mom and Dad will never have to know.
    Late that night I couldn’t sleep. I stared up at the cracks in my ceiling and thought about Peter. Maybe he’s still hypnotized, I thought. Maybe if I go up to him and snap my fingers or something, I can bring him out of it.
    Or maybe I can try to hypnotize him again and—
    My mind spun. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I felt so helpless. I didn’t know what to do.
    I grabbed my pillow and pulled it over my face. I tried to shut out the dim moonlight from outside, shut out the ceiling cracks above my head, shut out my troubled thoughts.
    Finally, I fell into a light, restless sleep. I slept until the whispers started. So soft and distant, at first I thought they were part of a dream.
    Tiny voices, speaking so quietly.