Read Online Odd Girl In by Jo Whittemore - Free Book Online Page A

groan.
    Ms. Success nodded to Parker. “Something you’d like to add, Mr. Evins?”
    â€œI don’t think a person’s name is the most important thing you can learn,” said Parker. “I mean, what if they have leprosy? Wouldn’t you want to know that first?”
    Several kids in the class laughed, but Ms. Success quieted them by lifting a finger.
    â€œFine,” she gave him a tight smile. “When it comes to meeting most people, nothing is as important as remembering their name.”
    At her command, the kids in the class introduced themselves, and I did my best to listen closely. Chloe was easy and I could remember Trevor, sitting in the back, but all the other faces were a blur. Everyone wore matching Champs shirts so I couldn’t even connect the kids to unique wardrobes. Unless …
    I reached behind me, feeling the rubberized letters of my name on my Champs shirt.
    â€œI want to sit in the back of the room!” I blurted out as the last boy introduced himself. “I’ve got a … a fear of sitting in the front.”
    â€œOh, Alexis.” Emily, who’d been blessedly quiet, stepped forward and squeezed my arm. “You shouldn’t be afraid. I’ll be right here with you.”
    â€œAwww.” I smiled at her, then turned again to Ms. Success. “Please!”
    â€œIt’s true,” spoke up Parker. “She’s got … triskaidekaphobia.”
    â€œYeah, she starts hyperventilating,” Nick added.
    I nodded, shocked that my brothers hadn’t tried to call me out.
    â€œJust a second.” Ms. Success grunted and stepped away to get her seating chart.
    I sidled closer to Parker. “What is triska … what do I have?” I whispered.
    â€œThe fear of the number thirteen,” he answered with a grin.
    Ms. Success returned, pen and chart in hand, shaking her head. “You kids today are so soft. When I was your age, the only things I feared were war and my Aunt Betty’s parrot.”
    â€œHer parrot?” asked Nick. “Because it was mean?”
    â€œNo, because it was dead.” Ms. Success scribbled on the chart. “I played with that thing for hours before anyone told me.”
    â€œOh,” said Nick, looking as disgusted as Parker and me.
    Ms. Success shook her head. “I should have guessed after I tossed him in the air and he wouldn’t fly. But when he hit the dirt, I just figured he was really full of birdseed.”
    â€œOkay, that is disturbing,” I spoke up before she could continue. “But I’m glad you, uh, survived.”
    Ms. Success grinned and waved me away. “Go on, you. Take a seat next to Trevor.”
    I hurried to the back before she could change her mind,and dropped my stuff on the desk beside Trevor’s. I let out a sigh of relief. From where I was sitting, I could see the names on everyone’s shirts.
    â€œHey.” Trevor leaned toward me. “Trevor the Clever.”
    I just blinked at him. “Alex the Confused.”
    Trevor laughed and pulled away. “I meant my nickname. It’s a mnemonic device. You know, something to help you remember. I’ve got one for everyone in the class.”
    I laughed too. “Oh! That is clever, uh, Trevor. But I knew about you even before I got here. A couple of kids from my school have a crush on you.”
    As soon as I’d said the words, I knew I’d broken the Holy Code of Girl. “I mean, uh, not crush. They just think you’re cute.” I bit my tongue. “Or maybe not even cute . Just not ugly.”
    I turned away and craned my neck to see if the seat next to Emily was still free.
    â€œWow. Some girls think I’m not ugly,” said Trevor. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment. What school do you go to?”
    I jumped on the opportunity to change the subject. “Weber, the one near the paintball course.”
    His face lit up. “I