Unforgettable Read Online Free PDF Page A

pool?’ So don’t stress out on memorizing trivial details. I mean, he might ask how Nick is related to Daisy, something fundamental, but the rest of the test will be essay questions that make you think about what you read. So you should be reading for comprehension and looking at the meaning behind the words.”
    She stops and studies me like she’s trying to place me. It’s suddenly hot in here. A drop of sweat cascades down the inside of my shirt and settles in my navel.
    The look is replaced by a frown. “You did read the first three chapters, didn’t you? Because I’m not wasting my time helping you if you’re a jock who thinks I’m going to be doing all your work while you dribble a ball down the court or practice your tennis serve.”
    â€œI read it,” I assure her, although I’m flattered that she thinks I might be a jock. She obviously doesn’t remember me from Pascal Elementary. Even in kindergarten I couldn’t hold on to a ball.
    She crinkles her nose. “Sorry, bad experience with my ex. I don’t mean to take it out on you. Anyway, the important thing is to take good notes during Shaw’s discussions. And read the chapters. If you get stuck, we can find a quiet spot to read out loud, but I’d prefer you read it ahead of time. Does this time work for you?”
    â€œIt’s perfect.” She’s perfect.
    â€œMr. Shaw said you’re new. Where did you move from?”
    My heart quickens at the thought of how to answer. If I say California, will that be enough to connect the dots in her head? But my teachers know that I’m from California, and I don’t want to start our first meeting by lying outright to her. In the end I decide to take a chance. California is a big state, after all.
    â€œI’m from California.”
    â€œReally? I used to live in California when I was little. But seriously, you should know that surviving Shaw’s class will be nothing compared to surviving the winter in northern Minnesota. It’s freaking cold here and we get a ton of snow.”
    â€œFifty-six inches, on average.”
    Her eyes widen.
    â€œUm … I looked it up,” I say with a nervous laugh.
    She stands and picks up her books. “You’re going to lose that bronze tan, you know, and then you’ll look just like the rest of us albinos from the North Country. We’ll start tomorrow. Same time, same place.”
    And then she’s gone, like a swift breeze moving through the California heat, leaving me refreshed and wanting more.
    I’m still swimming in the scent of her voice, strong and lasting. As much as I hate the constant refrain of memories that play like a marathon in my head, there are some moments worth remembering. This is one of them.

How I Measure Up
    The meeting with Halle is a break from worrying about Dink, who hovers like an invisible cloud in my life. Seeing her again and hearing her voice lets loose the rampant memories of kindergarten. After she leaves I let them flow: how I missed my mom and held on to her leg the first day of school, those feelings of anxiety before I made a friend, every hurt and fear as well as every moment of joy and excitement. There’s my teacher Mrs. Skrove giving me a hug; she smelled like glue sticks and she smiled at me and nodded when I recited lines of conversation I’d heard on the bus.
    â€œYou have an amazing memory,” she told me.
    â€œI appreciate you remembering that it’s Patrick’s turn to go first,” she said the next day, not even getting mad that I interrupted her.
    I’m still reliving my kindergarten days when I realize that the library has emptied and lunch period is half over. My stomach lets out a disappointed growl so I jog down to the lunchroom and grab a plate of nachos, then sit next to Brad Soberg from Lit class. He asks, “Hey, can I have a few?” and even though I don’t want to share,