Read Online The Nightmare Charade by Mindee Arnett - Free Book Online

as it looked outside of the glamour. So long as it doesn’t include spandex.
    Yes, there would still be plenty of time for us. Those pesky authority figures would have to try a lot harder before they could stop Eli and me from happening.
    Feeling better about the situation, I gave him the biggest, most sincere smile I had in me. “I hope you make it.”
    Smiling back, Eli reached over and grabbed my hand. “Me, too.”

 
    5
    Involuntary Separation
    My confidence that Eli and I would find time for each other took another hit when we arrived at homeroom a short while later. This was my third year reporting to Mrs. Bar’s classroom in Finnegan Hall. Mrs. Bar was a fairy, and one of my favorite teachers at Arkwell. When Eli and I walked in she bestowed on us a smile so wide and jolly that it made her jowls jiggle.
    She was still smiling a few minutes later as she handed out our course schedules. I scanned mine at once.
    First period, history and English. Those two subjects had been separate freshman and sophomore year, but were now combined to allow room for studying new subjects.
    Second period, biology. This was my first entirely new subject. Despite it being a science class I was looking forward to it. Rumor had it we would study magical plants and animals in addition to all that boring ordinary stuff like mitosis and dissecting frogs. Personally, I was hoping for unicorns on the syllabus.
    Third period, ordinary living. This, too, was a new subject, one directly related to the CasterCard and the food vendors.
    Fourth period, psionics
    Fifth period, spell casting
    Sixth period, gym
    Seventh period …
    â€œMath?” I said aloud. “The last class of the day? What kind of cruel and unusual torture is this?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” said Eli, looking up from his examination of his own course schedule.
    â€œWe have math seventh period. I’m terrible at math, it’s—” I stopped speaking, suddenly aware of the way Eli was looking at me. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI have spell casting seventh period.”
    A lead ball spiraled down the edges of my stomach and settled into the pit. “Are you sure?”
    Eli motioned to my schedule. “Can I see?” I handed it over, and he placed it on the desk next to his. His expression soured as he compared the two.
    â€œIs it bad?” I said, already knowing the answer but still hopeful.
    Eli didn’t reply, just handed both papers back to me. I didn’t want to look, but it was like trying to ignore a wreck on the side of the highway, morbid curiosity a magnetic force. As I’d suspected, our schedules were completely different. Other than lunch and sixth period gym, we wouldn’t be seeing each other at all, all day long.
    Swallowing anger, I raised my hand. “Mrs. Bar, I think there’s a problem with my schedule.”
    Mrs. Bar, who’d been circulating around the room answering questions, waddled over. “What is it, my dear?”
    I handed her my schedule. “I don’t think this is right. Eli and I are supposed to have the same schedule. We’re dream-seers.”
    Mrs. Bar’s smile, so perky a moment before, drooped. She didn’t even bother reading the list of classes before handing me back the schedule. “I’m afraid there is no mistake.”
    I inhaled, dizzy with outrage.
    â€œThanks for checking, Mrs. Bar,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure.”
    â€œYou’re welcome, Mr. Booker.” She patted him on top of his buzzed head, looking relieved. Then she headed off for safer environs.
    Huffing, I folded my arms over my chest and fell back against my chair. “Score another one for the establishment.”
    Eli laughed, although there wasn’t any humor in it. “Are you thinking of becoming an anarchist?”
    â€œYes, if it means we won’t have to deal with this forced separation.” My