Glimpse Read Online Free PDF Page B

were screaming for real and it wasn’t about rats. Right?”
    â€œIt’s a long story. I don’t really know where to begin.”
    â€œWhaddaya mean? I figured you dozed off or something and were dreaming. That’s not what happened?”
    â€œNo. Not exactly.” I glanced over one shoulder and then the next. “What if I told you that one second I was listening to Mrs. F drone on about the British, and the next second I saw her standing beside me, clear as day, screaming like she was on fire?”
    â€œShe was on fire?”
    â€œNo. She was screaming like she was on fire. You know, like a crazy, terrified, soon-to-be-dead scream.”
    â€œOh. Well, it would have been a better dream if you saw her burning alive.” He looked up at the ceiling. “That would be one big fire.”
    â€œArgh. Are you even listening?”
    We made it to our lockers, but instead of opening his, Colin shoved his history books into mine. He had his own locker, but it was filled with rotting food and dirty clothes. It made me seriously regret that my locker was next to his.
    â€œYeah, of course I’m listening. But the only one who screamed was you,” Colin insisted. “Well, you screamed first, anyway.” He turned and poked me in the chest. “So either you really saw her, you’re on drugs, or you’re nuts. I kinda hope you’re nuts. I’ve always wanted a crazy friend.”
    â€œMission accomplished,” I muttered.
    â€œWell, it was good timing anyway. We only had five minutes of lecture. That was great.” He slouched against the lockers and watched the mob of students pass by. “You gonna tell me why you look so beat up?”
    I was just about to tell him what happened when a heavily accented voice over my shoulder cut me off.
    â€œHey, Rat Boy.”
    I’d been expecting it and turned to see who would be the first to start what was sure to be a long line of name calling and sarcastic digs I’d be experiencing for the next week. When I recognized the culprit, though, I smiled. “Very funny, Lisa. Nice accent.”
    Colin nodded. “Yeah. You sound just like a drunken leprechaun.”
    She opened her mouth to speak but rocked back when I turned to face her. “God, Dean. What happened to your face? Is that why you weren’t in school on Friday?”
    â€œIt’s a long story.”
    She forced a smile. “Did it have anything to do with the vicious rodent attack that everyone’s talking about?”
    â€œIt was awful,” Colin said without missing a beat. “The beast was as big as a dog and came straight at Dean. Razor sharp teeth. No one thought he was going to survive.”
    â€œMust’ve been awful.” She smiled and jabbed me in the shoulder. “You gonna be okay?”
    â€œHe will once he gets the image of Mrs. Farnsworthy out of his mind,” Colin added.
    â€œOh gosh, did Colin make you think of her naked or something?” Lisa asked.
    â€œNo. But you just did!” Colin laughed. “Dean was thinking about her burning to death.”
    â€œWhat!” Lisa gasped. “That’s a horrible thing to think about.”
    I closed my locker and turned to my friends. “I didn’t see her naked and I didn’t see her burning to death. Freaking out in class is not something I’ll be living down anytime soon either.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Lisa asked. “I heard the story from a group of girls in the hall and they were saying that it was brilliant.”
    â€œW… what?” I said. “They did?”
    Lisa nodded. “Yep. No one’s making fun of you. I think they’ve all realized by now it was just a prank.” She stepped closer. “But I’d like to know what really happened.”
    I nodded. “Fine. But this is the last time I’m saying it, so just listen, okay?”
    â€œDean,” Lisa