Nowhere Boys by Elise Mccredie Read Free Book Online Page B

his head in disgust. ‘You really are a freak.’
    Felix watched Sam and Andy walk down the back steps and away from the house. He knew he was acting like a jerk but he didn’t know what else to do. He needed to buy some time. Think things through.
    Oscar looked at him sympathetically. ‘Don’t worry, I get called a freak all the time. It’s your move.’
    Felix smiled at him. Oscar could walk. That was what mattered.
    Felix made an arbitrary move. His thoughts couldn’t have been further from the game. None of their families knew who they were? How could that be? That was never part of the plan.
    Oscar looked at Felix’s move in disbelief. ‘That’s just opening your left field up to –’ He stopped himself. Something over Felix’s shoulder had caught his eye. ‘Oh no. Quick, we’ve got to hide.’
    Felix turned. ‘What?’
    ‘Come on. Quick.’
    Felix looked behind him again. Walking down the path at the side of the house was a girl in a pink-and-white sundress. A small dog cantered at her heels.
    Oscar had slid off his chair and was inching across the porch on his behind. Reaching the back door, he opened it and slipped inside.
    Felix watched the girl getting closer.
    Was that … ? No. It couldn’t be. And yet …
    He jumped off his chair, letting it land with a bang. He raced down the steps of the porch. ‘Ellen!’
    The girl stopped. She looked him up and down. ‘Who are you?’
    Felix froze. It felt like his insides were rearranging themselves. It wasn’t just their families that had forgotten them, then. It was everybody. That wasn’t good.
    ‘Sorry, my mistake. I just thought you were a friend.’
    Ellen frowned. ‘You knew my name?’
    ‘Did I?’ Felix thought fast. ‘I was just saying ’ ello .’
    Ellen screwed up her nose. ‘You’re freaky.’
    Felix couldn’t help himself. ‘And you’re not?’ Seeing Ellen dressed like an extra from a Disney movie was out of control. Grey was normally too cheery for Ellen.
    ‘That’s rich coming from a wannabee emo.’
    Felix looked away. That hurt.
    ‘Is Oscar home?’ asked Ellen.
    ‘Ah, I think he’s busy.’
    ‘What? Playing Ninja Turtles?’
    ‘Actually, no, he’s more into chess these days …’
    Ellen rolled her eyes. ‘Whatever. Just tell him he brought in the wrong bin again and he needs to return ours, pronto.’
    Felix stared at her. How could this be Ellen? His best friend?
    She turned on her heel and flounced off.
    On impulse, Felix called out, ‘Here, Wikileaks.’
    Ellen’s Jack Russell turned immediately and bounded back towards Felix.
    Ellen stopped and stared at him. ‘How did you know my dog’s name?’
    Felix shrugged. ‘Just a guess.’
    Ellen took Felix in. For an instant, he thought he saw a glimmer of recognition. But just as quickly as it was there, it was gone.
    ‘Come on, Wiki. Walkies.’
    The little dog turned and ran after her.
    Felix watched his best friend walk away. This seriously wasn’t good. With everything that was going down right now, the one person he really wanted to talk to was Ellen. Real Ellen.
    Oscar resurfaced. ‘Has she gone?’
    Felix sighed. ‘Yep. Well and truly.’ He turned back to the house. ‘Come on. Whose turn is it?’
    ‘Oh. Mum wanted me to tell you she’s not feeling that great so we’ll have to cancel dinner.’
    Felix felt gutted. ‘Really? Well we can still play, yeah?’
    Oscar shrugged. ‘Actually, I have to do my homework.’
    Felix looked away. ‘Right.’
    ‘Sorry. It was really nice to meet you.’
    Meet you? Those words stung, but Felix put on a brave face. ‘Yeah, you too.’
    Felix watched the rickety screen door slam behind Oscar. There was a finality to that slam. It was definitely keeping Felix out.
    He walked down the side of the house and stood in the driveway, feeling utterly alone.
    Oscar could walk. That was good, right? The spell had worked – kind of. Nothing else really mattered. Except …
    He stood there, uncertain.
    Except now what