Out of My Mind Read Online Free PDF Page A

just know I’m cold.
    I stick my Wolves cheer pin on my shirt for solidarity and all that, even if I won’t be performing with them.
    Not today, but soon.
    The drive through Mickey D’s is interesting. I guess I can’t decide what to order fast enough so Taylor does the honors. She gets me coffee and a breakfast sandwich. The coffee tastes bitter and hurts my tongue. I wonder if she’s testing me by ordering something she knows I dislike.
    No, friends don’t do stuff like that. It’s more likely my taste buds have flaked out along with my brain cells.
    I scribble in my notebook.
    Old normal: loved coffee.
    New normal: hate coffee .
    By the time we get to school everyone is heading for first period classes. I go to the office and Mrs. Anderson gives me a revised class schedule.
    I scan my class list, fighting the urge to shred it into tiny strips. From AP track to classes for dummies, yep, that’s me.
    Mom said I could move up as I recover. Not easy to move up mid-year, I argued, but my folks, teachers and doctors don’t want me pushing it and hurting my fragile brain.
    “Catherine, you look great!” A cute Asian girl breezes up to me.
    “Thanks.”
    I draw a blank on her name. Completely. Crap.
    “Like how they repainted the C Wing?” she asks.
    “Yeah, it looks great.” I hadn’t gotten that far.
    “Guess they had an explosion in the Chem lab over the summer. Are you in Goodman’s Physics class?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Let’s see.” She glances at my schedule and smiles. A fake smile.
    I should know. I’ve got that one down.
    “Let’s see yours.” I grab her schedule and see AP next to most of her classes. I also catch her name: Clarisse.
    “You’ve got Rimmer for Lit. He’s great,” she says.
    I hand her back her schedule.
    “Hey, I finally got on cheer this year. I’m so excited!” Clarisse squeaks, her voice jumping two octaves.
    “Congratulations.” My voice is tight, but I smile to cover my emotions.
    I’m temporarily inactive, opening up a spot for Clarisse. Lucky girl.
    “Are you excited about any of your classes?” I ask. Since she’s sticking with me, I assume we know each pretty well.
    “I’ve got Goodman for Physics. He’s a riot.” Clarisse and I wander into the commons. Kids rush to make it to class before the final bell rings. The echoed chatter of hundreds of teenagers bounces off the inside of my head. Good thing I’ve got a bottle of Ibuprofen stashed in my backpack.
    “You’re coming to practice, right?” Clarisse asks.
    “Wouldn’t miss it.” My voice sounds foreign to me, unnatural. I’m totally faking it, trying to act enthusiastic when I really want to scream.
    My spot. She’s got my friggin’ spot on Cheer.
    “Awesome,” Clarisse says. “I can use some pointers from a veteran like you. See you later.” She smiles and bounces off.
    I stare at her as she’s swallowed up by the swarm of students.
    A veteran? Ugh.
    I want to die.
    Been there already, stared death in the face. I chose to live, to fight my way back.
    I’m still fighting.
    First I have to prove to everyone I can master the basic classes so they’ll put me back in AP where I belong.
    The next bell rings and I find myself standing alone in the commons. I have Lit first period in C202. I glance up, but don’t see any signs for classrooms. Damn. If they made any changes over the summer, even a fresh coat of paint, it could completely throw me off.
    I’m screwed. Nothing looks familiar.
    Except J.D. Pratt. He’s walking towards me with that smug look on his face. He’s wearing a black band T-shirt, jeans and skateboard shoes, and his brown hair flops across his forehead partially covering his eyes.
    He looks confident and aloof.
    I’m jealous as hell. I could use a hit of confidence right about now.
    “Hey,” he calls out to me.
    He has got to be kidding.
    I turn and practically sprint in the opposite direction. I spot the C wing. Room 202 is on the second floor, right? I