Extraordinary October by Diana Wagman Read Free Book Online

you talking to that new guy.” Luisa wet one of her tissues under the tap. “He looks kind of interesting.”
    â€œYou think so?”
    â€œYeah. Here, let me.” She pressed the tissue to my cut. The cool water was a relief. “Lean your head back,” she said.
    It made it difficult to talk, but it didn’t stop me. “I feel bad for him, you know? Having to transfer right before the end of school. I’ve been here forever and it’s hard enough for me. I don’t have any real friends—I mean.” I stopped. “Well, you know what I mean.”
    I hoped I hadn’t offended her. Here she was with her hand on my head, missing class, but she wasn’t really a friend. Even if time after time she turned up just when I needed her. That was luck, not friendship.
    â€œI think Trevor’s okay looking,” I went on as I stared at the ceiling. “In a rugged, you know, casual kind of way.”
    â€œNot as handsome as Walker,” she said.
    I straightened and looked her in the eye. “Walker is weird.”
    â€œI think he likes you.”
    â€œYou do?”
    â€œI love this color on you.” She changed the subject. “You look great in purple.”
    I sneaked a peak into the mirror. My skin—the part that wasn’t bloody—looked kind of golden and my hair was shiny with red highlights I never noticed before.
    â€œMust be the light.” I waited a minute before continuing. “So, Luisa?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWhere do you go when you don’t come to school?” I asked. I was thinking about Trevor. “Do you go to the mall?”
    â€œUgh, no.” Luisa laughed. “I go down to the L.A. River. “
    â€œWhat do you do down there?”
    â€œHang out, watch the herons and the turtles. Enjoy the nature. This city has too much cement.”
    â€œIsn’t it dangerous? Homeless people and gangs?”
    â€œNever had a problem.” She turned me to face the mirror. “Look at yourself. You’re hot. And you’re smart. That’s why Walker likes you. You should give him another chance. Trust him.”
    â€œOnce was enough.” I took the wad of bloody tissues from her. “And this is what I got for it.” I threw it away. “Thank you for helping me.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m here for.”
    I cocked my head at her.
    â€œYou know, I’m your basic caregiver type,” she said.
    â€œWell, thank you Nurse Flores.” I had stopped bleeding. In fact the cut looked much better. The scab was even gone. “You’re good at what you do.” The spot on my neck had faded as well. It was almost gone. “My neck—”
    â€œIf you ever want to talk,” she interrupted.
    â€œAbout Walker?”
    â€œOr Trevor.”
    We both started laughing at that, not for any real reason, but just because. Laughing and laughing like girlfriends. Like good friends. The door to the bathroom swung open hard and Ms.Tannenbaum, the P.E. teacher, stomped in. She was not your typical P.E. teacher, she was petite and blonde and wore a ton of jewelry, but she was scary nonetheless, like a Chihuahua on steroids.
    â€œWhat are you girls doing in here? You should be in class!”
    â€œI was bleeding,” I said. “Luisa was helping me.” I pointed to my forehead, but the pale, pink mark did not look convincing.
    â€œLook,” Luisa said, and pointed to the trashcan and the bloody tissue.
    Tough little Tannenbaum raised her eyebrows. “Out,” she said.
    â€œIt’s the truth,” I tried.
    â€œUh huh.” She didn’t believe us. “Detention. Both of you. Today.”
    Luisa shook her head. “I have to work, Mrs. Tannenbaum. My job. Really. Can I stay after tomorrow?”
    Tannenbaum had a soft spot for the pretty girls. Luisa’s eyes were like melted chocolate.
    â€œOkay, Luisa,” Tannenbaum grumbled.