Locker 13 by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

to her, Luke , a voice in my head urged. The voice of goodness. The voice of friendship.
    But I knew I wasn’t going to give it back. I was already trotting out of the gym and down the hall to the exit.
    I need it a little while longer, I told myself. Just a little while.
    Long enough to win the basketball championship. Long enough to get really good grades for the first time in my life. Long enough to impress my friends … to get on the swim team … to make a name for myself … long enough to be a winner .
    I squeezed the little skull all the way home. I’ll give it back to Hannah in a couple of weeks, I told myself. Two weeks, that’s all. Maybe three. And then I’ll give it back to her. And she can have her good luck again. No harm done.
    No harm done—right?
    The phone was ringing when I stepped in the kitchen door. I tossed down my backpack and ran to answer it.
    To my surprise, it was Mrs. Coffey.
    â€œLuke, I’m glad I caught you,” she said. “I have some really good news. You know my friend at the computer store?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI spoke to him after you left the computer lab. And he said you could start work at his store on Saturday.”
    â€œThat’s great!” I exclaimed.
    â€œBut that’s not my good news,” Mrs. Coffey continued. “He has a friend who is putting together a show of computer animation. And his friend is very interested in seeing your work.”
    â€œReally?” I cried.
    â€œHe needs short pieces for his animation show right away,” she said. “If he likes your piece, he said he will pay a thousand dollars for it.”
    â€œWow!”
    â€œIs it finished, Luke?” Mrs. Coffey asked. “Is it ready to show to him?”
    I thought hard. “Almost,” I said. “I need two more days on it. Maybe three.”
    â€œWell, try to hurry,” Mrs. Coffey said. “I think he has most of the pieces he needs. He’s going to be showing them all over the country. It would be a shame to miss out—”
    â€œIt sure would!” I interrupted. “I’ll get right to work on it, Mrs. Coffey. And thanks. Thanks a lot!”
    Excited, I hurried up to my room and turned on the computer. Maybe I can get some work done on it before dinner, I decided.
    I heard Mom come in downstairs. I called hi to her and said I was working on my computer project.
    A few minutes later the phone rang again. I heard Mom talking for a while. Then I heard her running up the stairs. She burst into my room, ran up behind me, and wrapped me in a big hug.
    â€œHuh? What’s that for?” I cried.
    â€œThat was Mario’s Steakhouse on the phone,” Mom said, grinning. “You know. Your favorite restaurant. You won, Luke! Remember that drawing we all entered the last time we were there? Well, you won it. They picked your card. You won dinner for the whole family. Twelve dinners! One a month for the next year!”
    â€œWow!” I jumped up from the computer. Laughing and cheering, Mom and I did a happy little dance around the room.
    â€œI can’t believe you won that drawing. That is so terrific!” Mom exclaimed. “We’re going to have to start calling you Lucky Luke!”
    â€œYeah. Lucky Luke,” I repeated. “I like that. That’s me. Lucky Luke.”
    I worked on my animation until nearly midnight. I stared into the glow of the monitor until I couldn’t see straight, and the images became a fuzzy blur.
    â€œAlmost finished,” I said, yawning.
    I changed into pajamas, brushed my teeth, got ready for sleep. But just before I climbed into bed, I pulled out my lucky little skull for one last look.
    I held it gently in my hand and studied it, rubbing my fingers over the smooth top of the skull. The tiny, red jewel eyes glowed brightly.
    I rubbed my fingers over the hard, bumpy teeth. I twirled the skull in my hand.
    â€œMy little good-luck