Invisible Read Online Free PDF

time.”
    When the bell rings, indicating lunch is over, I’ve managed to make myself invisible, cellphone and all, a total of ten times, but never for more than a couple of seconds.

Chapter Eight
     
    All week I practiced my disappearing act. I’m managing longer and longer stretches and my confidence, though still budding, is growing. Of course Charlie has to be with me or I won’t know if I’ve actually disappeared or not. This little problem has me a bit concerned. Since my ability to vanish is becoming stronger and more frequent, I’m worried I might wink out without knowing it. Next month I start driving lessons and I can just imagine disappearing while behind the wheel. How freaked out would my instructor be? Actually, that thought makes me chuckle.
    It’s Saturday morning and Charlie has come over to help me practice. We don’t have much time before my dreaded shopping trip with Mom. But we manage to sneak in a short session in my room.
    “ You’re doing great,” Charlie announces excitedly, eyeing the stopwatch in her hand. “You passed the two-minute mark this time.”
    “ That’s not long enough to execute the plan,” I say and plop down on my bed. Practicing drains me. It’s hard on me emotionally, having to drag up and re-live those terrible moments in my life.
    “ We’ve still got more time to practice. Just as long as you’re making progress and can go for longer and longer stretches, I think we’ll be fine.”
    “ I’d like to hit the ten-minute mark. Then I’d be comfortable.”
    “ You’ll get there. I’m sure of it. Do you wanna to try again?”
    I sigh. “God, no. I need a break.”
    There’s a knock at the door. Charlie quickly opens my desk drawer, throws the stopwatch in and closes it again, before my mother pops her head into the room.
    “ Hi Charlie,” Mom says, and then turns her attention to me. “You ready to go, Lola?”
    I’m almost relieved. No more practising today, but the thought of shopping with my mom brings another more horrifying dread to the surface.
    “ Can Charlie come?” I blurt out and realize my mistake as soon as Mom’s eyebrows smash together.
    She plasters on a fake smile. “Any other time, I’d love to have Charlie come along, but you know this is supposed to be a mother-daughter thing.” She looks at Charlie. “I’m sorry, Hun.”
    “ Oh, no prob, Mrs. Savullo. I’ve got some things to take care of today, anyway.” Charlie throws me a quick look of “aww poor you, I hope you survive” and leaves.
    “ I’ll text you,” I call after her.
    Mom throws me another look. “No cellphone. It’s just you and me this afternoon.”
    I sigh in resignation and smack my cell down on my desk.
    * * * *
    The mall is crowded and we’ve parked about a mile away; at least that’s how it feels, as we trudge through the parking lot, dodging water-filled pot holes from the early morning’s rain. Just as the sun is breaking through the clouds, and the day is showing promise, I’m stuck in a mall with a seriously addicted shopaholic.
    Mom drags me from store to store and makes me try on at least a hundred frilly, sparkly and always uncomfortably tight dresses. She ooohs and ahhhs and finally settles on a hot pink, off-the-shoulder number with lavender sequins.
    “ Lola, look at you!” she squeals and claps her hands.
    The bored-looking salesgirl, who is no older than I am, bolsters her enthusiasm. “Yes, I think this is the one,” she says with forced fervor.
    “ No. I don’t like it,” I say, but Mom and the salesgirl are discussing me as if I’m not there.
    “ I’ve got to get her spiky heels and some bling,” says Mom.
    “ Oh, then you’ve got to go to Jazzbees for the jewelry and Stance for the shoes. They’ve got the best selection and the most fashionable…”
    “ Mom,” I interrupt. “I said I don’t like this dress.” I tried on a black sleeveless with a high collar a few dresses back that I’d kinda liked, but Mom thought