Left Out by Tim Green Read Free Book Online

feet. Landon blushed and said hello. As he shook hands he noticed that they not only had painted nails, but also a touch of lipstick and maybe something on their eyelashes.
    They all sat down. Katy launched into an excited discussion with Genevieve and Megan about the new middle school girls’ soccer coach.
    Katy rolled her eyes. “Wait till you see how cute he is! But my mother said he grew up in New Haven, so he’s probably poor as a church mouse. Can you believe people live in places like New Haven? I bet there are some pretty bad places in Cleveland, huh?”
    When Landon looked over, Megan was staring at him with large, pale blue eyes. He was afraid she’d ask about his ears, but she smiled. There was a gap between her front teeth, and they were all strapped together with bright orange braces.He looked back at her eyes. She was beautiful.
    They ordered Cokes and iced tea. While the girls looked at the menu and Katy babbled on about boys and clothes and makeup and money, Landon stole glimpses of Megan. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. When the waitress returned with their drinks, Landon reached for his soda too fast and knocked it over, and some spilled on Megan’s white shorts. She gave a little shriek and jumped up, her face reddening at the attention from everyone around them. Landon struggled up out of his seat and dabbed at her shorts with his napkin.
    â€œSorry, sorry, sorry,” he said.
    Megan laughed nervously and gently pushed him away. “No, I’m okay. Please, Landon. Stop.”
    Landon stood, his shoulders slouched, a tower of shame. “I . . . I am just so sorry.”
    â€œIt’s okay. It’s no big deal.” Genevieve patted his shoulder and they all sat down.
    Landon could see Megan was still embarrassed by the incident and blotting her shorts with water under the table. He suspected Katy’s now-deadpan face was her way of showing contempt. Landon felt his own face burning. To rebuild their image of him, he forced a chuckle and blurted out, “I’m good at knocking things over. That’s why I’m going to play football.”
    â€œWhat?” Katy’s face morphed into disbelief. “How?”
    â€œWell, he’s getting—” Genevieve started to explain.
    Megan’s face brightened, though. “That’s great, Landon.”
    â€œIs it?” Landon thought so, but her enthusiasm puzzled him.
    â€œYes.” She nodded, smiling.
    He had to ask. “Why?”

12
    Landon leaned toward Megan’s face, intent on her lips. The diner around them created a buzzing hum that made hearing even more difficult for him. Crowded places were always a nightmare.
    â€œWell,” she said, still bright, “my boyfriend is the quarterback.”
    â€œYour . . . wait, what?”
    â€œMy boyfriend.”
    Landon didn’t think things could get worse. Then they did.
    â€œHis name is Skip,” Megan said.
    Landon knew of only one Skip, the redheaded boy from their first lunch at the deli, and something told him that was exactly who Megan was talking about.
    â€œHe’s super nice.” Megan spoke very directly to Landon, and he now noticed that her voice was funny, loud and slow,like he was four years old instead of twelve. “He’s tall and he’s cute and he can help you fit in.” Megan reached out and patted Landon’s arm and then sat back, proud of her ability to communicate with him.
    â€œYou talk like you think I’m stupid.” Landon’s mood plummeted.
    Genevieve poked his arm. “Landon, be nice.”
    Landon glared at his sister. “I can hear, you know.” He pointed to his cochlears.
    The waitress appeared, and Genevieve took advantage of the opportunity to change the subject. “Let’s order! I’ll have prosciutto on toast with a side salad and balsamic vinaigrette, please. Landon, how about you?”
    â€œPastrami.” Landon folded