Odd Girl In Read Online Free PDF Page A

entire office—curtains, carpet, paintings—had something blue in each part of it. I loved black, even though Parker had pointed out on several occasions that it was actually the absence of all color.
    â€œIt’s nice though, right, Alex?” Nick elbowed me and nodded encouragingly.
    I turned the shirt over. On the front was the same smiling star from the pamphlet, but this time in an Olympic-style jumpsuit. Above the star were the words CHUMPS ARE LAME …, and below the star, CHAMPS GOT GAME !
    â€œWow,” I said. “It’s … really something.”
    Emily handed Nick and Parker theirs, introducing herself as she went. “I’m Emily Gold. I’m one of Alexis’s friends from school, and I’m the Champs coaching assistant.”
    â€œAnd I, of course, am your coach.” Ms. Success winked at us. “But I’m sure you already guessed that.”
    â€œMs. Success,” I said. “Is … is that your real last name?”
    â€œAlex …,” said Dad.
    Ms. Success held up her hand and smiled. “It’s fine. I get that question all the time because of who I am and how well I do.”
    I exchanged a doubtful glance with my brothers while Ms. Success strolled around her desk. “Success really is my last name. Sharon Success.” She gave a small laugh that barely lifted her shoulders. “You might even say I’m sharin’ success with you.” She fired finger guns at my brothers and me, one after the other, and Nick could barely contain his laughter.
    Thankfully, Ms. Success assumed he was amused by her joke, so she smirked and went back to her seat.
    â€œJake, why don’t you and the kids relax while I take a peek at those surveys.” She pointed to a row of folding chairs against the wall that looked out of place in the plush office. Dad handed her the papers, and we all sat and waited nervously.
    Just like Dad, Ms. Success frowned as she read through the papers, shuffling them and re-reading them several times. Occasionally, she turned the pages sideways and upside down, maybe hoping to shake out good answers.
    To keep from going crazy, I stopped watching her and grabbed a framed group photo off a bookshelf beside me.
    â€œThat’s the current class,” said Emily, crouching next to me. She pointed to a guy in the back row of the picture and lowered her voice. “And that’s Trevor,” she whispered with a little grin. “He’s—”
    Before she could explain, Ms. Success cleared her throat and put the surveys down, folding her hands in front of her. Emily stood and so did the rest of us, as if Ms. Success were some judge giving a ruling.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you kids,” said Ms. Success, smiling with all her teeth again. “I like your father, and I want to like you. However …” She made a clicking sound in the corner of her mouth. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
    â€œWe had a feeling that might be the case,” said Dad.
    Ms. Success looked at the paper on top. “Nick.”
    My brother sat up straight. “Yes, ma’am.”
    â€œYou’re athletic and you’ve got great social skills, but … it might not hurt you to get a tutor. Or at least someone who can tell you the difference between depression and the Great Depression.” She pulled out a thick black marker and circled the intellectual portion, sliding the paper to the edge of her desk.
    Nick blushed and retrieved it. “Yes, ma’am.”
    â€œParker!” She practically barked his name, and he jumped. “No running, swimming, or otherwise useful skills, but you’ve got the sarcasm down. You strike me as a very bright, funny guy.”
    He relaxed and smiled.
    Ms. Success shook her head. “Too bad bright and funny won’t keep the enemies from tying bricks to your ankles and throwing you in the lake.”
    Parker stared at her,