Perception Read Online Free PDF Page B

said in anger when he’d repulsed me.
    “Remember what I said earlier, class. Like poles repel. Unlike poles attract.”
    I cast my eyes down.
    “Justin, you can put your magnet on my desk and return to your seat.”
    Justin brushed by me on his way, and the skin on our arms met for just a second. But it was enough to give me goose bumps. My skin tingled. It felt electric, from just that brief touch. I rubbed my arm as I watched Justin settle back in his seat, his hand gripping his own arm in the same spot. He smiled knowingly and I turned away.
    “Clare,” Rylander said, regaining my attention. “Turn yourmagnet around so the other pole is aimed at the magnet on my desk.”
    I did it, glad that I was facing away from the class because I was sure I was blushing.
    “Now slowly start to close the distance.”
    I stepped closer to the desk and held my magnet out, inching my way across the space. Suddenly, Justin’s magnet snapped up and latched onto mine.
    Rylander beamed. “See what happened? Attraction. Clare didn’t even have to put the magnets together herself. The other magnet was unstoppably attracted to hers and pulled over the distance.”
    I put both magnets back on his desk, then turned to face the class.
    Rylander continued, “The magnetic field is invisible, but it can be felt. Did you feel the force when the magnet was drawn to yours, Clare?”
    Justin looked at me steadily from the back row.
    “Yes,” I said softly. “I felt it.”
     
    Perry remembered to come pick me up after school, a rare occasion these days for my suddenly hermit brother. I was surprised to find the car waiting and, honestly, a little disappointed. I was hoping to run into Mallory and walk home with her again. I wanted to make sure she was feeling better.
    As soon as I got into his little black Civic, Perry shoved the car into gear. We lurched forward.
    I planted my hand on the dash. “Easy there, lead foot.”
    He glared at me. “The least you can do if I’m giving you a ride is not complain about my driving.”
    “The least I can do?” I scoffed. “Because I’m interrupting you from doing … what exactly? Sitting in your room all day fiddling on the computer?” I knew half the time he was working on our website, but still. His attitude rankled me.
    He stared at the road, his back almost forcefully straight.
    After a minute of silence, I gave in. “I’m sorry, Perry. I’ve had a craptastic day. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
    This was the part where old Perry would have apologized back and we’d punch each other in the arms and laugh, and the fight would be over as quickly as it began. But I was starting to think there was a new Perry.
    And he was an asshat.
    Instead of replying or at the very least accepting my apology, he gave me the silent treatment the rest of the way home. He gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. I thought I saw his eyes bulging out of his head, too.
    We pulled into the driveway and he finally seemed to relax. I could almost feel the tension drain from him.
    “Clare …”
    Okay, here’s where we’d make up. I smiled and turned toward him.
    “I don’t think I can pick you up from school anymore.”
    Not what I was expecting. Was it really that much of a burden to take five minutes out of his day to pick me up? Anger bubbled up inside me.
    “Fine,” I snapped, grabbing my book bag. “Don’t do me any favors!” I slammed the car door and stomped up the porch steps.
    I stormed inside and slammed the door, practically in Perry’s face. It was immature of me, and I’d basically guaranteed that he’d never give me a ride anywhere ever again, but it felt good. I’d be getting my license soon enough. Then I’d just take the car to school since Perry never left the house anymore anyway.
    Perry muttered some naughty words under his breath as he swung open the door, then slammed it shut again.
    Mom came out of the reading room with a lit match in her fingers.