Read Online Awake and Dreaming by Kit Pearson - Free Book Online

wave. This was it! This was the family she’d dreamed about. She ached to belong to them—to be their sister.
    But how could she? Magic was only in stories. She couldn’t wish to belong to them and have it come true. Her emptiness twitched at her, as if it were reminding her that it was still there—that she didn’t belong anywhere .
    There wasn’t time to worry about it. At the moment, at least, this family seemed to accept Theo as part of them. They swept her along in their energy.
    â€œWe’re almost at Active Pass—let’s go outside,” said John.
    â€œCome on!” said Ben. He grabbed Theo’s hand—the second time one of them had touched her. His palm was pudgy and hot.
    â€œCan you?” asked Anna. “Should you ask your mother?”
    Rae. Theo had completely forgotten her. “She’s already outside, having a cigarette,” she told them. “But she said—she said I could go and look for her when I wanted,” she finished quickly.
    â€œThen let’s go!” said Lisbeth.
    â€œBring your jacket, Theo. We have to get ours,” said Anna.
    Theo snatched up her jacket and followed them down the aisle, to a man and woman sitting near the back. They looked up from their books and smiled.
    â€œThis is our brand new friend,” said Lisbeth.
    â€œHer name’s Theo,” said Ben.
    â€œHow do you do, Theo?” The woman leaned forward and shook her hand as if she were a grown-up. “I’m Laura Rice and this is my husband, Dan Kaldor.” They looked as perfect as their children. Laura was small, with tidy brown hair. Dan was round and rumpled-looking, with a beard and glasses.
    â€œWe’re going out,” said Anna, pulling on a purple fleece jacket.
    â€œDo your parents know where you are, Theo?” Laura asked.
    â€œHer mother’s already on the deck—we’re going to look for her,” said John.
    â€œOkay. Be sure to stay together,” said Dan.
    The five of them raced out to the deck.
    T HEY STOOD IN A ROW by the railing, the icy wind whipping back their hair. Beyond them was a tossing kaleidoscope of water and land and sky. The huge boat was making its way towards a channel between two rocky islands studded with firs and small houses. The sea was almost the same grey-blue as the sky; fishing boats bobbed on its swelling surface.
    Another long white ferry was approaching on the opposite side of the pass. The children covered their ears as the boat’s whistle blared.
    Lisbeth and Ben waved frantically to the other ferry as it glided by. Then Lisbeth whirled around. “Let’s fly !” she shouted.
    She tore along the wide deck, the others following. Towards the bow the wind was so strong they had to push against it, while their legs walked in slow motion.
    â€œFly!” screamed Lisbeth. She opened up her jacket and held it out. “Come on, Theo, you do it, too!”
    Theo unzipped her jacket and gasped as the wind slapped her chest like a huge cold hand. Her eyes streamed and her hair felt ripped out by its roots. But she copied the others and held the sides of her jacket open like wings. The wind actually lifted her a little off the ground—then she fell backwards onto the deck.
    â€œAre you okay?” Anna helped her up.
    Theo nodded. She tried again, and this time she kept her balance.
    â€œFlyyy …” They jumped and twisted and danced in the wind’s power. Lisbeth was lifted the highest, as if she were a feather. At first John had hung back but soon he was shouting as loudly as the others.
    â€œLet’s go and scare Mummy and Daddy!” said Ben. Their feet thundered along the deck as they dashed back and pounded on the windows beside the place where their parents were sitting. The whole row of adults jerked with surprise. Dan wagged his finger and Laura waved them away.
    They battled their way to the side of the ferry, where it was less