Every Day Read Online Free PDF Page B

mostly they’re pleased. I can’t tell, though, whether they’re pleased because it’s a perfect match or because now Carrie will shut up about it.
    When I see Corey at lunchtime, I am unsurprised by how unremarkable he is. People are rarely as attractive in reality as they are in the eyes of the people who are in love with them. Which is, I suppose, as it should be. It’s almost heartening to think that the attachment you have can define your perception as much as any other influence.
    Corey comes over at lunch to say hi, but he doesn’t stay to eat with us, even though we make room for him at our table. Carrie doesn’t seem to notice this; she’s just giddy that he’s come by, that she didn’t dream the whole IM exchange, that chatting has escalated into speaking … and who knows what will happen next? As I suspected, Leslie does not move in a fast crowd. These girls are thinking of kissing, not sex. The lips are the gates of their desire.
    I want to run away again, to skip the second half of the day.
    But it wouldn’t be right, without her.
    It feels like I am wasting time. I mean, that’s always the case. My life doesn’t add up to anything.
    Except, for an afternoon, it did.
    Yesterday is another world. I want to go back there.

    Early sixth period, right after lunch, my brother is called down to the principal’s office.
    At first I think I may have heard it wrong. But then I see other people in class looking at me, including Carrie, who has pity in her eyes. So I must have heard it right.
    I am not alarmed. I figure if it was something really bad, they would have called us both. Nobody in my family has died. Our house hasn’t burned down. It’s Owen’s business, not mine.
    Carrie sends me a note.
What happened?
    I send a shrug in her direction. How am I supposed to know?
    I just hope I haven’t lost my ride home.
    Sixth period ends. I gather my books and head to English class. The book is
Beowulf
, so I’m completely prepared. I’ve done this unit plenty of times.
    I’m about ten steps away from the classroom when someone grabs me.
    I turn, and there’s Owen.
    Owen, bleeding.
    “Shh,” he says. “Just come with me.”
    “What happened?” I ask.
    “Just shh, okay?”
    He’s looking around like he’s being chased. I decide to go along. After all, this is more exciting than
Beowulf
.
    We get to a supply closet. He motions me in.
    “Are you kidding me?” I say.
    “Leslie.”
    There’s no arguing. I follow him in. I find the light switch easily.
    He’s breathing hard. For a moment, he doesn’t say anything.
    “Tell me what happened,” I say.
    “I think I might be in trouble.”
    “Duh. I heard you called to the principal’s office. Why aren’t you down there?”
    “I
was
down there. I mean, before the announcement. But then I … left.”
    “You bolted from the principal’s office?”
    “Yeah. Well, the waiting room. They went to check my locker. I’m sure of it.”
    The blood is coming from a cut above his eye.
    “Who hit you?” I ask.
    “It doesn’t matter. Just shut up and listen to me, okay?”
    “I’m listening, but you’re not saying anything!”
    I don’t think Leslie usually talks back to her older brother. But I don’t care. He isn’t really paying attention to me, anyway.
    “They’re going to call home, okay? I need you to back me up.” He hands me his keys. “Just go home after school and see what the situation is. I’ll call you.”
    Luckily, I know how to drive.
    When I don’t argue, he takes it as acquiescence.
    “Thanks,” he tells me.
    “Are you going to the principal’s office now?” I ask him.
    He leaves without an answer.
    Carrie has the news by the end of the day. Whether it’s the truth doesn’t really matter. It’s the news that’s going around, and she’s eager to report it to me.
    “Your brother and Josh Wolf got into a fight out by the field, during lunch. They’re saying it had to do with drugs, and that your brother is a