Read Online Emma Jean Lazarus Fell in Love by Lauren Tarshis - Free Book Online
Authors: Lauren Tarshis
Ads: Link
garlic.
Unfortunately, it is not possible for Vikram to work at Stanford. While Stanford is one of the finest universities in the world, it is 3,000 miles away from my mother, Elizabeth Lazarus, who is the love of
Vikramâs life. I regret that Vikram did not consider this before accepting your offer. I have concluded that Vikramâs love for my mother has made it difficult for him to think clearly. As perhaps you know, love can make people behave in irrational ways.
I have read about your work on smallpox and find it very fascinating. I hope you take the appropriate precautions with these dangerous pathogens, and wash your hands vigorously before eating your lunch.
Â
Sincerely,
Emma-Jean Lazarus
Of course, there was no guarantee that the letter would resolve this matter. But Emma-Jean was hopeful. She sensed that Dr. Markt, a man of science, would see the logic in her message. And certainly Vikram would come to appreciate her intervention at this critical juncture in his life.
After all, there were many prestigious universities in the world. But there was only one Elizabeth Lazarus.
Chapter 15
A ll day in school, Colleen just kept getting Colleen-er and Colleen-er.
Like in her classes, she usually kept her hand down because even if she was sure of the answer, who knew what could fly out of her mouth? But now she couldnât stop herself. In science she raised her hand so many times that Mr. Petrowski started calling her Dr. Pomerantz, which everyone thought was really funny, and not in a mean way.
Between classes she usually waited for Kaitlin because Colleen didnât like walking through the halls alone. But now she realized she wasnât alone. Everywhere she looked there were people smiling at her. And whenever she saw Brandon or Will they would yell, âHey Collcakes!â which for some reason felt really flattering.
But the weirdest of all was what happened after lunch.
For the second day in a row, Laura made them go out and dance. Usually dancing with Laura was torture because the moves were impossible and Colleen was a complete spaz. But today everything felt different. Colleen wanted to dance, to jump and leap and twirl all around. And so she did!
She jumped as high as she could and leaped like a ballerina and spun around until she felt dizzy. Valerie started to giggle and so did Colleen. She never knew dancing could actually be fun!
But then Laura started yelling.
âColleen!â she said. âThose arenât the moves! What are you doing?â
âIâm just having fun,â Colleen said.
âWell, you look like a complete dork,â Laura yelled. âPay attention!â
Laura shook her head and fluttered her eyes and started showing the moves again. Colleenâs friends followed along. But Colleen just stood there.
âColleen!â Laura yelled. âAre you listening?â
Colleen was listening, but not to Laura. Someone was whispering in her ear.
Her boy was telling her something.
Walk away.
Really?
Just walk away.
âYou know what?â Colleen said suddenly. âIâm going to take a break.â
âWhat are you doing?â Kaitlin whispered.
âAre you okay?â Michele said.
âIâm fine,â Colleen said. âI just . . . I just donât really want to do this anymore.â And she walked away, like sheâd always dreamed of doing, all those times when Laura made her feel like a shaky little dog whoâd made a mess on the rug. Sheâd pictured this moment in her mind so many times, how she would walk slowly with her chin up, how her hair would fly behind her and her little bead earrings would jingle softly in her ears.
And thatâs exactly how it happened.
Colleen sat down on a bench and she felt her boy sit down right next to her. Colleen leaned against him, and she felt peaceful and strong, like she felt sometimes in church. She looked over at her friends, who were staring at her
Unfortunately, it is not possible for Vikram to work at Stanford. While Stanford is one of the finest universities in the world, it is 3,000 miles away from my mother, Elizabeth Lazarus, who is the love of
Vikramâs life. I regret that Vikram did not consider this before accepting your offer. I have concluded that Vikramâs love for my mother has made it difficult for him to think clearly. As perhaps you know, love can make people behave in irrational ways.
I have read about your work on smallpox and find it very fascinating. I hope you take the appropriate precautions with these dangerous pathogens, and wash your hands vigorously before eating your lunch.
Â
Sincerely,
Emma-Jean Lazarus
Of course, there was no guarantee that the letter would resolve this matter. But Emma-Jean was hopeful. She sensed that Dr. Markt, a man of science, would see the logic in her message. And certainly Vikram would come to appreciate her intervention at this critical juncture in his life.
After all, there were many prestigious universities in the world. But there was only one Elizabeth Lazarus.
Chapter 15
A ll day in school, Colleen just kept getting Colleen-er and Colleen-er.
Like in her classes, she usually kept her hand down because even if she was sure of the answer, who knew what could fly out of her mouth? But now she couldnât stop herself. In science she raised her hand so many times that Mr. Petrowski started calling her Dr. Pomerantz, which everyone thought was really funny, and not in a mean way.
Between classes she usually waited for Kaitlin because Colleen didnât like walking through the halls alone. But now she realized she wasnât alone. Everywhere she looked there were people smiling at her. And whenever she saw Brandon or Will they would yell, âHey Collcakes!â which for some reason felt really flattering.
But the weirdest of all was what happened after lunch.
For the second day in a row, Laura made them go out and dance. Usually dancing with Laura was torture because the moves were impossible and Colleen was a complete spaz. But today everything felt different. Colleen wanted to dance, to jump and leap and twirl all around. And so she did!
She jumped as high as she could and leaped like a ballerina and spun around until she felt dizzy. Valerie started to giggle and so did Colleen. She never knew dancing could actually be fun!
But then Laura started yelling.
âColleen!â she said. âThose arenât the moves! What are you doing?â
âIâm just having fun,â Colleen said.
âWell, you look like a complete dork,â Laura yelled. âPay attention!â
Laura shook her head and fluttered her eyes and started showing the moves again. Colleenâs friends followed along. But Colleen just stood there.
âColleen!â Laura yelled. âAre you listening?â
Colleen was listening, but not to Laura. Someone was whispering in her ear.
Her boy was telling her something.
Walk away.
Really?
Just walk away.
âYou know what?â Colleen said suddenly. âIâm going to take a break.â
âWhat are you doing?â Kaitlin whispered.
âAre you okay?â Michele said.
âIâm fine,â Colleen said. âI just . . . I just donât really want to do this anymore.â And she walked away, like sheâd always dreamed of doing, all those times when Laura made her feel like a shaky little dog whoâd made a mess on the rug. Sheâd pictured this moment in her mind so many times, how she would walk slowly with her chin up, how her hair would fly behind her and her little bead earrings would jingle softly in her ears.
And thatâs exactly how it happened.
Colleen sat down on a bench and she felt her boy sit down right next to her. Colleen leaned against him, and she felt peaceful and strong, like she felt sometimes in church. She looked over at her friends, who were staring at her
Similar Books
