B005N8ZFUO EBOK by David Lubar Read Free Book Online Page B

like some kind of giant disappointment.
    So science class was fine. Mr. Briggs pulled equipment out of the closet while he talked. I noticed that there wasn’t a whole lot of stuff—just a couple microscopes, some test tubes, and a small pile of assorted junk. He showed us several experiments we could do with ropes and pulleys, then let us play around on our own. The time went pretty quickly—except for one of the runts who had the misfortune to experience thirty seconds of pure terror. I think his name was Squibly, or something like that. Bloodbath wrapped a rope around Squibly’s throat and kind of lifted him up in the air, but he let go before Mr. Briggs noticed. I realized that Bloodbath was sort of like a human version of a stealth bomber—he could slip in, cause pain, and slip away without detection.
    As I was leaving at the end of class, Mr. Briggs called me over to his desk. “Martin, could I talk with you for a minute?”
    “Sure.” I had no idea what he wanted. But he was a teacher, so he had the power to talk with me until my ears bled, if that’s what made him happy.
    “I’ve been looking over your records, and I’m a bit confused. Most of the students are here because they’ve had extremely serious problems in other schools. The entries in your file aren’t very specific.” He stopped talking and watched me.
    I knew that trick. He was waiting for me to start talking. The really good interviewers on TV do the same thing. They ask a question, then
they just stop talking and wait. Even after they get an answer, they wait for more. Most people can’t stand silence, so they blab all their secrets away. I really wasn’t in the mood to spill my life’s story, so I just smiled and shrugged.
    Sure enough, he couldn’t stand the silence, either. “Well, I just wanted you to know that I’m here if you ever have any problems. Okay?”
    “Okeydokey,” I said. “Can I go now?”
    “Yes. But remember, I’m here to help you.” He leaned forward and gave me a warm smile.
    I took a step away. “Actually, I’ll bet you’re here because you couldn’t get a job at some big fancy college or some important chemical company.” I walked off. Halfway across the room, I started to feel like a real rat. Mr. Briggs had been nice to me, and the way I’d acted, I might as well have just kicked him in the crotch. I turned around so I could say I was sorry. But he was staring out the window like his mind was a million miles away.
    I sprinted down the hall and caught up with Torchie, who was just catching up with Cheater. I wondered why Cheater hadn’t rushed ahead for seats. Then I noticed Bloodbath strolling along farther up the hall. I guess Cheater didn’t want to risk running past him.
    “He hits me every time I get near him,” Cheater said, following my gaze down the hall.
    “I’m not surprised.” I’d suspected Bloodbath might have a couple of favorite punching bags.
    “What did Briggs want?” Torchie asked.
    “He wanted to let me know that I’m not really such a bad person. It was quite a relief to hear that. Guess I can pack my things and go home now.”
    “Really?” Cheater asked. “That’s great.” He grinned. Then his smile faded. “But you just got here. How come you get to leave? It’s not fair.”
    I shook my head. This kid was amazing. He’d believe anything. He was just too easy.
    “Wait. I get it,” Cheater said. “You were kidding.”
    “Can’t fool you,” I told him. I looked at my schedule. “History’s next. What’s it like?”
    Torchie grinned. Cheater grinned.
    “What?” I asked.
    “You’ll see,” Torchie said.

YOU’RE HISTORY
    “ L et’s just say Ms. Crenshaw is big on class participation,” Cheater told me.
    I found out what he meant the moment I walked into the room. The teacher was right inside the doorway handing out costumes. “Hi, you must be the new boy,” she said, shoving a white and fluffy bundle into my hands. “This is a voluntary class.