Read Online Fade by Lisa McMann - Free Book Online Page A

with the idea a bit. I"m not sure yet what I"ll
    go for in college.”
    “So you do have college plans?” His voice has a hint of incredulity to it.
    “Franklin Community, maybe?”
    Janie blinks, feeling the snub.
    Feeling poor.
    As if living on the wrong side of town means less is expected of her.
    “Well, I would,” she says, her voice taking on an innocent twang,
    “if"n I
    didn"t have Earl Junior on the way, and you know mamaw can"t stay
    alone in the trailer so good no more. I got to go find Earl Senior, so I can
    git me some money, know whut I mean?”
    Mr. Wang stares at her.
    She turns away when the bell rings and walks in late to chemistry.
    “Sorry,” she mouths to Mr. Durbin as she slides into place at her lab
    table at the back of the room. The others are working already. Janie
    copies down the equations from the board. She is still amazed at how
    well she can now see.
    She hunches over her desk and scratches the figures on a piece of
    notebook paper, working out the formula, checking and doublechecking her work. Mr. Durbin strolls around the room, giving hints and joking
    occasionally with the students as usual. She joins in like the others.
    Every now and then, she glances up to see where he is, watching his
    body language as he interacts with the students. He hasn"t said or done
    anything inappropriate that Janie"s seen since their little incident a few
    weeks before, and now Janie"s starting to question her judgment. Did it
    really happen? Or was she feeling so badly about herself that day that
    she imagined it?
    He really is a terrific teacher.
    And then he"s next to her at her table, checking out her work.
    “Looking
    good, Hannagan,” he says quietly. But he"s not looking at her formula,
    bubbling merrily over the burner.
    He"s looking down her shirt as she"s leaning over. ı
    After class he stops her on the way out the door. “Do you have a slip for
    me?”
    Janie is stumped. “A what?”
    “A note?”
    “For what?”
    “You were late.”
    Janie thumps her forehead. “Oh! Um…No, I don"t, but Mr. Wang kept
    me after class last period. He"ll vouch for me.”
    “Mr. Wang, hm?”
    “Yes.”
    “Hang out here a moment while I call him.”
    “But…”
    “I"ll write you a note for your next class, don"t worry.” He picks up the
    phone and dials Mr. Wang"s room.
    Mr. Wang apparently confirms that he held Janie after class. The bell
    rings. Mr. Wang says something else, and Mr. Durbin chuckles.
    “Is that
    so.” He listens again. “I"ll say,” he says. He gives Janie a sidelong glance. His eyes come to rest on her chest as he hangs up.
    “Okay, you"re off the hook,” he says, smiling. “So, who"s your baby
    daddy?”
    She grins, embarrassed. “That was a little joke,” she says, and wets her
    lips. “Thanks. Can you write me a note now?”
    “Sure,” he says lazily. He reaches for his pen and scribbles on a square
    sheet of recycled paper. He holds the note out in front of him, so she has
    to approach to get it. “How"s that sound?” He"s grinning. She takes the paper. “You want me to read this?” she says. He nods and scribbles on a second square of paper now. “And this is for
    your next teacher.”
    She reaches for it. “Oh, okay,” she says. “Uh…”
    “The first one is some information about a little chemistry party I have
    every semester at my house, just for the Chem. 2 students. Any chance
    you can whip up a flyer for me to hand out to everybody?”
    Janie looks at the paper. “Of course, I"d love to.”
    “You look like the type who would be good with computer graphics,” he
    says. “You know what I mean.” He wiggles his fingers.
    “Savvy…with
    electronics.”
    “It must be my geeky glasses that gives me away,” she says smoothly.
    “The glasses are nice, Janie. Are they working out for you okay?”
    “Yeah, great. Thanks for asking.” She smiles. “I should…probably get
    to my next class now. Don"t you have a class this period?”
    “Nope.