Fade by Lisa McMann Read Free Book Online Page B

to stop the bleeding. The school nurse
    tells her to be more careful. Janie rolls her eyes. Back in class, Mr. Durbin asks if she"ll stop by the room after school to
    discuss what went wrong.
    ı
    Lunch is barfaritos.
    ı
    Dopey, Dippy, and Dumbass are all on their toes today. Somebody falls
    asleep in each of those classes, even PE, because they"re doing classroom studies on health today. Janie finally resorts to throwing paper
    clips at their heads to wake them up.
    ı
    By the time she gets to study hall, she feels like crying. Carrie doesn"t
    remember her birthday, as usual. And then, Janie realizes with that keen,
    womanly sense of dread that she has her period.
    ı
    She gets a hall pass and spends most of the hour in the bathroom, just
    getting away from everybody. She doesn"t have a tampon or a quarter to
    get one from the machine. So back to the school nurse for the second
    time that day.
    The nurse is not very sympathetic.
    ı
    Finally, with five minutes left of school, she heads back to the library.
    Cabel gives her a questioning look. She shakes her head to say everything"s cool.
    He glances around. Slides into the seat across from her. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah, just having a shitty day.”
    “Can I see you tonight?”
    “I guess.”
    “When can you come?”
    She thinks. “I dunno. I"ve got some shit to take care of. Like five, maybe?”
    “Feel like working out?”
    Janie smiles. “Yeah.”
    “I"ll wait for you.”
    ı
    The bell rings. Janie finishes up her English homework, gathers up her
    backpack and coat, and heads over to Mr. Durbin"s room. She already
    knows why her beaker exploded, and she doesn"t feel like telling him
    what happened.
    ı
    She opens the door. Mr. Durbin"s feet are propped up on the desk. His
    tie hangs loose around his neck, and the top button of his shirt is undone.
    His hair is standing up a bit, like he"s run his fingers through it. He"s
    grading papers on a clipboard in his lap. He looks up. “Hi, Janie. I"ll be
    just a second here.” He scribbles something.
    She stands waiting, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She
    has cramps. And a headache.
    Mr. Durbin scribbles a few more notes, then sets his pen down and looks
    at Janie. “So. Rough day?”
    She grins, despite herself. “How can you tell?”
    “Just a hunch,” he says. He looks like he"s trying to decide what to say
    next, and finally he says, “Why the cake and frosting?”
    “I"m sorry?”
    “Why did you put back the cake and frosting, out of all the other things
    you had in your cart?”
    “I didn"t have enough cash on me.”
    “I understand that. Hate when that happens. But why didn"t you put back
    the grapes or carrots or something?”
    Janie narrows her eyes. “Why?”
    “Is it your birthday? Don"t lie, because I checked your records.”
    Janie shrugs and looks away. “Who needs a cake, anyway,” she says.
    Her voice is thin, and she fights off the tears. He regards her thoughtfully. She can"t read his expression. And then he
    changes the subject. “So. Tell me about your little explosion.”
    She cringes.
    Sighs.
    Points at the chalkboard.
    “I"m having some trouble reading the board,” she says. Mr. Durbin taps his chin. “Well, that"ll do it.” He smiles and slides his
    chair back. “Have you been to the eye doctor yet?”
    She hesitates. “Not yet.” She looks down.
    “When"s your appointment?” he asks pointedly. He stands up, gathers a
    beaker and the components for the formula, and sets them at her lab
    table. Waves her over.
    “I don"t have one yet.”
    “Do you need some financial help, Janie?” His voice is kind.
    “No…,” she says. “I have some money.” She blushes. She"s not a charity case.
    Mr. Durbin looks down at the formula. “Sorry, Janie. I"m just trying to
    help. You"re a terrific student. I want you to be able to see.”
    She is silent.
    “Shall we try this experiment again?” He pushes the beaker toward her.
    Janie puts on her safety glasses,