Read Online My Best Friend Is Invisible by R. L. Stine - Free Book Online Page A

you I
could be your best friend.”
    “Oh, nooo!” I shouted. “Brent! How could you do that to me? You scared me to
death! You scared Roxanne to death! You really hurt her! And you nearly strangled me!”
    “Don’t thank me,” he repeated. “You really don’t have to. I just wanted to
show that I can help you.”
    “Get out of my house! Get out— now !” I screamed at him. “I mean it!”
    “GET OUT!” I cried, so loud my voice cracked. “Get out, you idiot! You nearly
killed us! I want you to leave NOW. Get out!”
    I turned to the door and pointed to it. “Get—”
    Dad stood in the doorway, his face filled with concern. “Sammy, I’m sorry,
son. But you’re too old to have an imaginary friend,” he said softly.
    “No, Dad. You don’t understand! He’s not my friend!” I cried. “He’s not my
friend! He’s not!”
    Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Stay calm. Just try to stay calm.”
    He walked me to my bed. He made me sit down.
    He grabbed for my desk chair.
    “Don’t sit there!” I gasped. “ He’s sitting there!”
    Dad sat down anyway. “Take a deep breath,” he instructed me. “Settle down.
Now—let’s talk about this friend of yours.”
    “Dad! He’s not my friend. He wants to be my friend, but he’s not. He’s
driving me crazy!”
    I shoved the black shirt aside and fell back on my pillow. And suddenly I had
an idea. “I know! I bet we can get rid of him together! Dad—will you help me?
Will you help me get rid of Brent?”
    “Of course I’ll help you,” Dad replied, his eyes studying me. He stood up.
Took my hand. Guided me to the doorway.
    “Thanks, Dad! I really appreciate this. Thanks a lot.” I sighed with relief.
    I suddenly felt much better. As soon as Dad said he’d help, all my muscles
relaxed.
    “Everything is going to be okay,” Dad said softly.
    “I know,” I replied. “I feel better already.”
    “That’s great, son. But can you tell me—what’s troubling you? Do you know?
What made you invent this invisible friend—Brent?”
    I let out a loud groan.
    Dad didn’t believe me. He led me downstairs.
    “Where are we going?” I asked.
    He didn’t answer me.
    “Dad!” I cried. “ Where are you taking me?”

 
 
27
     
     
    “Where are we going, Dad? TELL ME NOW!”
    “Calm down, Sammy. We have an appointment with someone who can help you,” he
finally answered. “Mom and I have talked about your problem with Dr. Krandall—and she’s going to see you now.”
    “I—I don’t want to go to a doctor!” I yelled. “I don’t need a doctor!”
    “Don’t worry.” Dad patted me on the back. “You’ll like talking to the doctor.
She’s really nice. And very understanding.”
    Dad hurried to the kitchen to get his car keys.
    Dad thinks I’m crazy, I realized. He thinks I’ve totally lost it.
    So does everyone else I know.
    There’s no way I can convince anyone that Brent is real.
    He’s going to live with me forever.
    He’s going to ruin my life forever.
    Someone knocked at the door. I pulled it open.
    “Hi, Sammy.” It was Roxanne. “I had to come over!” she said. “I had to
talk to you about the ghost! Wasn’t that awesome?”
    “Uh-huh. Really awesome,” I murmured.
    “Well, you don’t sound very excited. What’s the matter with you?” She headed
into the living room and sat down on the couch.
    “Oh, nothing. Everyone thinks I’m crazy—that’s all.” I sat down beside her.
    Brutus sauntered in and curled up in my lap.
    “Did you tell your parents about the ghost? Is that why they think you’re
crazy? Don’t worry! I’ll tell them it’s all true,” Roxanne assured me. “I’ll
tell them we really saw it!”
    “It’s not about the ghost—”
    “Okay, Sammy. Let’s go.” Dad walked into the room, jingling the car keys in
his hand.
    Mom and Simon followed behind him, both wearing very serious expressions.
    “Where are you going?” Roxanne asked. “Can I come too?”
    “No, Roxanne. I