Read Online Freaky Monday by Mary Rodgers - Free Book Online Page B

far—the hands of her watch were lame-o butterfly wings. I’m all for self-renewal metaphors and all, but the butterfly motif was so cheesy and obvious.
    Where was Mr. Hudson? He sure was taking some sweet time getting his car to drive me home. After my meltdown, I was more than anxious to get the heck out of Dodge. Every fiber and inch of my being wanted to escape. NOW.
    I couldn’t believe it when I saw Tatum’s Accord pull up out of the corner of my eye. Surely this insane day was playing with my brain—Tatum wouldn’t be at school to get me now—I mean, school wasn’t even out yet! But I turned my head and it was definitely her. She slammed into the curb and screeched the car to a halt.
    And she was sobbing. Her shoulders were shaking and tears were streaming down her beautiful raccoon-streaked face. I instantly ran up to her car, and Tatum looked embarrassed, started wiping away her tears and putting on a brave face.
    I tapped on her window and she rolled it down.
    â€œOh, hey, Ms. Pitt,” she said with a froggy voice.
    Ms. Pitt?! No, no—I’m your SISTER! Your FRIEND!
    â€œWhat’s going on? What’s wrong?” I asked breathlessly.
    Tatum blew her nose forcefully. Even though it was a serious honk, she made it sound adorable and only added to her charm. She was one of those impossibly enchanting people who can burp and everyone giggles. “Sorry. It’s just…a really bad day,” she explained, and started to cry again.
    â€œYeah, and I sorta figured that part out!” I exclaimed. Tatum’s face clouded over with confusion—I guess teachers aren’t really encouraged to play in the sarcasm sandbox. How I wanted to tell her I had switched places with Ms. Pitt! But I had the distinct feeling that would be entirely too much information and send Tatum over the edge. She needed sanity right now. “Sorry. I mean, just tell me what’s wrong.”
    Tatum looked down and her chin quivered. I had never seen Tatum so distraught before. Then a thought crashed into my head: “It’s not Mom or Dad, is it?”
    She gave me a puzzled look. “No, my family’s fine….”
    I wanted to say Except for your sister! but I tried to sound as rational as embrace-the-universe Ms. Pitt. “Then what is it?”
    â€œI’m sorry you have to see me like this…but of any teacher, you’re the one who I’d feel most comfortable melting down in front of. So…yah for me.” Tatum gave a sad little “woo-hoo” gesture. “I found out…that…I didn’t get into Colorado State today.”
    â€œOh no, Tatum! Your last choice!”
    â€œHow did you know?”
    I smiled unconvincingly. “A feeling, I guess…Maybe Hadley said something. Anyway, go on.”
    â€œI was in the library and looked up my acceptance online. And there in my in-box was a big fat rejection e-mail. ‘Thank you very much for your interest in Colorado State, but we will not be accepting your application at this time.’” She paused, shaking her head miserably. “I mean, I didn’t even want to go to Colorado State! I’m sure Fort Collins is nice enough…but…I thought I’d get in there easy !”
    â€œOh, Tatum, I’m so sorry. So so sorry.” I wanted to hug her but that would probably freak her out completely.
    â€œIf I was more like Hadley, I wouldn’t be in this situation, which is totally screwed.”
    What she said jumped out at me. “More like Hadley ?”
    â€œYou know, Hadley’s got it figured out, and she studies so hard and is so brilliant…. But I guess I learned my lesson a little too late, huh?”
    I was stunned— I had it figured out? Really?
    â€œLet’s face it, no college wants the homecoming queen who gets Ds in math….” said Tatum. And with that, her head fell and she started to really sob