Read Online Freaked Out by Annie Bryant - Free Book Online Page B

not sure it’s gotten that dire, Maeve. I’m going to call both your parents and arrange a conference. Do you want me to have one of them come and get you, take you home for the rest of the day? How much sleep did you get last night?”
    â€œNot much,” Maeve admitted.
    â€œLet’s do that. You go home, have a nice nap, and see ifyou don’t feel better. Then we’ll find a time to talk at length, and see if we can’t get to the root of this problem.”
    Maeve listened to Mrs. Fields call her mother. Part of her wanted to go home, part wanted to go to lunch with her friends. But she didn’t think she could handle all of them asking her questions about the test and how she thought she did. Even though she was relieved to know that there were other kids who were bad at math, she was still embarrassed. No one likes to feel like they are at the bottom of the barrel. She sighed. Mrs. Fields suggested that she lie down on the couch and close her eyes for a while until her mother came. Maeve thought that was an excellent idea. When the principal placed a soft blanket over her, she felt relaxed for the first time in she didn’t know how long. Katani was lucky to have such a sweet grandmother, Maeve thought, as her eyes began to shut.
    â€œMaeve?” Ms. Kaplan looked in the door in what seemed like a very short time. “Sweetie, it’s time to wake up. Are you all right?”
    â€œI think Maeve would benefit by taking the rest of the day off, Ms. Kaplan. When you have a chance, could you give me a call? I’d like to arrange a conference with you and Maeve, her father, and Mr. Sherman. Let’s see how we can work out this problem.”
    The word problem flashed larger than life for Maeve. She saw it in brilliant Technicolor spread across a movie marquee. Problems with Maeve. Maeve and the Math Monster. Mother and Father Disown Daughter for Failing Math Test. One on One with “The Crow .”
    Staying Loyal
    Katani found the BSG at their cafeteria table. She flopped down, set her tray before her, and sighed.
    â€œThe math test made Maeve sick.” Katani took the lid off her cup of strawberry yogurt.
    â€œHow do you know that? Maybe she just went to the library,” a concerned Charlotte offered.
    â€œI’m sure. I saw Ms. Kaplan come and get Maeve from the office. Looks as if she’s going home for the afternoon.”
    â€œMade her sick?” Avery said. “Really sick?”
    â€œWell, she’s going home isn’t she? People don’t get to go home in the middle of the day unless they are sick. What can we do?” Isabel asked.
    It was so Isabel to want to help, Katani realized. She gave her friend a quick smile.
    â€œI hope she can come to the sleepover tonight,” Charlotte said. “The evening won’t be the same without her.”
    Dillon and Nick stopped at their table. “Where is Maeve?” Dillon asked. “Is she still taking her test?”
    â€œHer mother came and got her. She had to go home early.” No way was Katani going to reveal that her friend freaked out about a math test and had to go home to get it together.
    â€œTell her I’ll call her tomorrow,” Dillon said. The two boys walked away. Mr. Popular stopped to chat at practically every table.
    â€œWhoa, I wish we could tell Maeve right now that Dillon is going to call her tomorrow. She’d feel better immediately,” Charlotte said. “Did you notice that Nick didn’t say he’d call me tomorrow?”
    â€œBet he will, though,” Isabel teased.
    â€œHe has hardly spoken to me all week!” Charlotte was beginning to wonder if Nick liked her any more.
    â€œMaybe he was studying. I think a lot of kids get freaked out by too much work,” Isabel said. “Maeve more than anyone, but I get nervous, too.”
    â€œI was up late studying. I hope I won’t fall asleep during our sleepover,”