Giants and Ogres by Madeline Smoot Read Free Book Online Page A

had obviously been a struggle. His goggles were hanging from one of the sprinklers on the ceiling, and a flip-flop was stuck into the ceiling. He must have kicked it off hard (though the ceilings seem pretty cheap). Anyway, the police came and everything, but they never found any sign of him.
    The candle wax from the vigils for Jamie had hardly dried in the quad six months later, when a substitute teacher—I think her name was Ms. Berlin—also disappeared under mysterious circumstances. She was at school late. The report said she was using the school’s wi-fi to do other side work. They tracked her on there until about 8:45. The next morning they found her computer open, her baking blog
Whatchya Knead
half-written, and little pieces of her dress on the floor. No sign of the substitute. A Missing Persons report was filed, and her family came into town and were on TV asking if anyone saw her. But no one had.
    Just another disappearance in Wollville. The towns-people are—I wouldn’t say used to it—but they don’tstop what they’re doing over stuff like that anymore.
    I don’t worry much because of my size. But of course our parents do, so we always have to tell them where we’re going to be and when we’ll be home.
    I make my way to World History and feel a SHOVE.
    I spin around. I’m quick for my size.
    It’s Tanner.
    â€œWhat’s up, freshman?”
    â€œHey, Tanner.”
    I take him in. Here at school it’s more noticeable that he spent the summer working out. He’s been trying to move up a weight class for wrestling, and it looks like he will. Not a problem I have.
    I look around and there are a lot of people staring. I don’t know how many kids here knew we were siblings. We only moved here last year, and our parents decided to spare me Middle School with home schooling. But people have seen me around town. In the back of the movie theater (where I have to sit), at the pool (hello tidal wave), and at back to school shopping at the mall, where I bought shoes in the men’s department.
    Obvious-alert to parents: don’t move when your daughter’s in 8th grade. And an ogress. Duh.
    I ignore the stares and decide to needle Tanner. “I met Kelsey. She likes you.”
    Tanner cringes.
    â€œOh, no. Did she ask about me?”
    â€œUh … yeah! That’s how I know!”
    â€œDon’t tell her about me. She stalked me all last year. She talks CONSTANTLY.”
    I pretend to care. I’m not sure why, “Well, she was nice to me, so I like her.”
    â€œGreat,” he turns to go. “I’ll look for you at lunch.”
    â€œI don’t need …,” but I realize how much my voice is booming. And I realize how many people are looking. And I realize that I probably do need someone to sit with.
    I head to the cafeteria after Gym and don’t see Tanner. I think maybe he’s in line for lunch.
    I first notice the giant ogre serving lunch, because of his size. He’s the first person I’ve ever met since I reached my full height that I had to look up at. And I’ve met NBA players (when my parents took me to “fan days” to make me feel better about being 6’1” in 6th grade). The ogre sees me, too. He looks surprised, like he hadn’t considered there could be others like him.Probably because he doesn’t go online much—he’s older.
    I grab a tray and try to blend in. I glance at the other girls. Everybody is slouching and leaning on the buffet. I could never lean on anything. I learned that in second grade when I broke the school jungle gym.
    The other girls click away on their phones. Sure, I could do the same. Only I don’t really have anyone but my mom to text. So I spend my time stealing peeks at the cafeteria guy. He seems to have makeup on. But it’s hard to tell since he barely looks up.
    â€œHey,” Tanner sidles up beside me. “Can we