Uncanny Day Read Online Free PDF

forgotten her part of the deal. But suddenly the dimples faded as her gaze looked past me.
    Turning my head, I followed Kate’s line of sight. Coming toward us with two other goons was Trent.

Chapter Nine
    TRENT’S CROOKED SMILE WAS pasted to his face as he and his two cronies stepped up to us, wearing similar expressions.
    I instinctively stood, blocking Kate—or was I protecting her? Regardless, I was on my feet. These three were unpredictable. My eyes started searching the commons area for an escape route.
    â€œWhat’s up, Nolan? What are you and Muddy talking about?”
    Kate was on her feet now, just behind my right shoulder. Again, as a reflex, I kept my arm in her path to shield her.
    â€œNothing,” I answered.
    â€œOh, come on, what where you guys having? A widdle moment?” Trent made a puppy-dog face that looked more bulldog than Labrador.
    Kate spoke up. “Back off.” Her tone meant it, but I had the suspicion she wanted to learn more about the mystery that was me and these guys were just keeping her from that.
    â€œOh, I’m sorry, Nolan. Were you asking Kate to the dance and we interrupted?” Trent asked, laughing out loud.
    Why is it that when the head bully makes a wisecrack, his buddies always have to laugh along? Like he made them sign some contract where one of the clauses is that they’d have to laugh at all his stupid jokes.
    On those dotted lines were the names Earl Dawson and Kenny Larks. I looked them up and down. I guess camouflage and black clothing were also in the contract because they both wore it and looked ridiculous.
    Trent kept with it. “Well, Muddy, what’s your answer?”
    I hadn’t planned on going to the Fall Ball at all, let alone asking Kate—secret crush or not. It wasn’t my style to go to dances. No reason—just didn’t prefer them. Yet my mind changed when I saw the expression on Kate’s face. That “idea” look again. Crap.
    â€œYes, Nolan, I will go with you,” she said.
    That sealed it. Again, the annoying laughter from the Three Stooges.
    Kate saw the opening and took it. “Well, we better be off.” She lightly took my hand, squeezing a couple of fingers. “Have to find those perfect matching outfits.”
    Then we were both off and moving. As if she’d planned it beforehand, Kate and I entered a door marked Maintenance. And, just before it closed, I heard Trent yell, “We aren’t done!”
    The rank smell of cleaning supplies and dirty water attacked my senses. I let out a short cough. Kate flipped the deadbolt on the door we’d come through. The school’s custodial room was empty and dark.
    â€œCome on—this way,” Kate said. I had the feeling she had been in here before. Through another door on the opposite side of the room, the two of us spilled out into the senior hallway with no one in sight. Apparently lunch had not ended yet.
    A bit out of breath, I tried to refocus myself. “Well, that was awkward,” I said, and before I could get Kate’s opinion, the period bell rang.
    She began walking down the hallway, but turned back to me and said, “See you Saturday night!”
    I couldn’t believe it.
    ***
    THE SECOND HALF OF school went pretty much the same as, well, the second half of school usually goes. Boring classes. One teacher assigned a paper and another drilled me on math questions, which I failed miserably.
    It wasn’t until the end of the day that I gave the Stephanie-Laura dilemma a second thought. I was at my locker, filling my bag with books for homework, when Kate found me and brought up the issue.
    â€œIt’s not Saturday yet, Muddy,” I said, zipping up my bag.
    â€œHar har, dork,” she replied as we began to walk. “I’ve got a theory. I was flipping through ‘Uncanny X-men,’ issue—”
    â€œWait, are you talking about those funny books ?”
    A