OCDaniel Read Online Free PDF Page A

she asked. “I figure we can get a quote that way—my mom knows one of the counselors.”
    â€œSounds good,” I said immediately.
    â€œWhatever,” Tom muttered.
    â€œOkay,” Lisa said, and then flushed, as if amazed that she had just spoken in front of Tom.
    This would be fun.
    Except it kind of was. We laid out what we were going to do and gave everyone homework, and Raya laughed twice. She has superwhite teeth. I needed to go brush.
    Just before the bell Tom wandered off to talk with Taj, and Lisa went back to her desk, giving Raya and me an awkward smile and then scurrying away like a mouse. Raya shook her head.
    â€œShe’ll get her work done, but we’re probably going to have to cover for Tom.”
    â€œYeah,” I said. “I can do that.”
    She laughed. “I’m sure you can. You already do Max’s work for him.”
    I opened my mouth to argue, and then stopped. “Yeah.”
    â€œWhy?” she asked.
    â€œHe’s my friend,” I replied, shrugging. “It’s no big deal.”
    â€œYou should tell him to do his own work,” she said. “He’s smarter than he pretends. I think he likes to be a dumb jock because Taj and Tom are. He should be more like you.”
    I laughed. “Funny.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “What? I mean it.”
    â€œMax doesn’t want to be like me,” I said, still amazed that I was having a full conversation with Raya Singh. “He’s a star football player and one of the most popular kids in school. And I’m . . . me.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?”
    â€œI’m the backup kicker.”
    Raya snorted. “I didn’t ask what position you play. What is with you boys and equating football to social status? I don’t care if you’re the backup water boy.”
    â€œI kind of am.”
    Raya laughed. “Of course you are. But the point is, you are smart, funny, and actually nice. I think that’s a lot more important than being the backup kicker, don’t you?”
    I was dreaming again. I had to be.
    â€œI guess,” I said meekly. “And thanks.”
    â€œNo problem. Unless you screw up this project, in which case, I’ll kick your butt.”
    â€œDeal.”
    The bell rang, and for the first time ever, I wished it was broken. Raya rushed off, and I tried not to float off my chair after her. My entire body was tingling, but not with the feeling of dread. It was like a warm glow, as if I was out in the sun. When Max came back, I was smiling so much, he just laughed.
    â€œHow happy are you on a scale of one to ten right now?”
    â€œEleven.”
    â€œI figured. But wipe that grin off your face and get your cleats. We have practice.”
    The smile was gone in an instant. “Make that a two.”
    Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â 
    â€œYou call that a push-up?” Coach Clemons yelled at me.
    I was using my knees again. I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t do twenty push-ups.
    â€œA type of push-up,” I said hopefully.
    â€œLift those knees up, Leigh!” he blustered, spittle flying everywhere.
    I did as I was told and face-planted into the grass. He sighed deeply and walked away.
    â€œLaps!”
    We ran for a while, which wasn’t that bad, as it was a cold day. I usually spend most of my time sitting, and it can get chilly in football clothes.
    â€œAll right, Kevin,” Coach Clemons said when we got back, “let’s practice a few field goals.”
    Kevin was the starting kicker. He loved football almost as much as Max did. I trotted out with them, since I have to kick field goals too even if I am not officially invited.
    I missed from the thirty and twenty-five. Coach Clemons just bit his lip.
    â€œGo get the drinks ready, Leigh,” he said eventually.
    â€œFinally,” I muttered, watching Max catch a pass with one hand.
    â€œNice