Fear by Francine Pascal Read Free Book Online Page A

shots from Heather. She wasn’t about to lower her guard while Heather was still punching.
    A tall man in a dark suit stepped through the crowd. He hesitated for a moment. “Ms. Gannis, I said that’s enough. Put your hands down.”
    Heather dropped her hands, still laughing. “See?” she said. “Did you see? I’m not afraid of anything.” She pushed her chin out toward Gaia, as if daring her to throw a punch.
    Gaia slowly lowered her hands and looked over at the tall man. It took her a moment to recognize Vice Principal Stallman. Usually the man had a sour, commanding expression. Right now it looked like Mr. Stallman was more than scared enough to make up for Heather’s sudden lack.
    â€œNow,” the vice principal said in a squeaky voice. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Now, this kind of behavior is simply not allowed in this school.”
    â€œHeather started it,” volunteered a student on the edge of the crowd. “She’s acting crazy!”
    The vice principal looked at Heather. “Is that right, Ms. Gannis? Did you start this fight?”
    â€œI started it. I’ll finish it, too, if you give me a chance.” She flashed another loopy grin.
    â€œFighting is strictly forbidden by school policy,” said Mr. Stallman. He was hitting his stride now, getting back to the standard I, teacher, you, student tone. “You’re immediately suspended for the remainder of the day. Tomorrow morning I want you to report to my office and we’ll discuss—”
    â€œBoring!” shouted Heather. She turned, shoved two students out of the way, and sprinted down the hall. “Ring me when you have something more interesting to say,” she said over her shoulder.
    â€œGet back here!” called Mr. Stallman.
    Heather didn’t slow. While the small crowd watched, Heather pushed open the door and plunged out into the cold afternoon.
    Mr. Stallman seemed completely stunned at the events. For several seconds he could only stare at the door with his thin-lipped mouth hanging open. Finally he turned toward Gaia. “Are you all right, Ms. Moore?” he asked.
    â€œYeah.” Gaia nodded.
    â€œI want you to see the nurse.”
    â€œBut I’m fine.”
    â€œYes, well.” Mr. Stallman cleared his throat. “See the nurse, anyway.”
    â€œI need to go after Heather. Something’s wrong with her.”
    The vice principal nodded. “Clearly,” he said. He adjusted his tie. “But whatever’s wrong, you’re still going to the nurse.”
    â€œHeather—”
    â€œMs. Gannis will have to solve her problems somewhere else. As of this moment, she is suspended from the Village School until further notice.”

Snarly Norm
    THE CAPUCHIN MONKEY WAS ANGRY. That wasn’t particularly surprising—capuchins always seemed to be angry. In Josh’s opinion, the little beasts were nasty, mean, and worthless. But this particular monkey was even more irate than the snarly norm.
    Ever since Josh came into the room, the monkey had been standing in the center of its clear Plexiglas cage. Screaming. These were not I’m-hungry screams or even let-me-out screams. These were screams for the sake of screaming. Absolute fury.
    Josh pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to fight off the beginnings of a headache. He hadn’t even known an animal could make such a noise. Compared to the sound made by this small smelly beast, fingernails scratching a chalkboard were a symphony. “Is this what you brought me down here to see?”
    Dr. Glenn nodded. “Yes, this is the behavior I was describing.”
    â€œHow much longer is it going to—”
    Before Josh could finish the sentence, the screaming stopped. The monkey stood up on its hind legs and flailed at the air like a miniature boxer. A shiver ran through the little primate’s body. It stood a moment longer, its chest