Rebel's Tag by K. L. Denman Read Free Book Online Page A

know why she’s so mad. It’s got to do with me taking something away from her and being too stupid to know I was doing it. I work it around and around in my head but can’t make it simple. Not simple enough to put into words. I keep trying. I practice mumbling the words.
Indi, I’m sorry I didn’t see ... I’m sorry I didn’t get how you felt about ...
    I can’t picture myself saying this stuff out loud. But maybe I could send her an email? It takes a while to get something that sounds okay:
    Hey, Indi. How’s it going? Listen, I know why you’re mad at me. It’s because I wrecked our kid magic. I knew you didn’t like me tagging the roofs. It’s like I was leaving garbage on a mountain. But I didn’t care about what you thought. And when it got ugly, you couldn’t stand it anymore, right? So I’m really sorry. I think I know how you feel. The magic is gone for me too. That sucks. I wish some things didn’t have to change. Like us being best friends?
    Sam
    Five minutes later, the phone rings. “Sam?”
    I feel a rush of relief. “Hey, Indi.”
    â€œI read your letter,” she says. “It’s good.”
    â€œThanks.” I take a deep breath. “I really screwed up, huh?”
    There’s a pause. Then, “Yeah, you did. You’re human. But you know what?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI was really upset too because the roof magic is history. Only I think it would have happened sooner or later. It’s not all your fault. Some things just stop fitting.”
    â€œYeah. I guess.” A prickle runs over my scalp. I don’t want to be one of the things that doesn’t fit.
    â€œLike my dolls and my stuffies. I gave most of them away the other day, and my mom was practically crying.”
    â€œNo way.”
    â€œWay. I think she’d keep me a baby forever if she could. You know my friend, Sarah?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œWe were talking about this stuff and we can’t wait to finish school. It’s going to be great. Her cousin graduated last year, right?”
    â€œRight,” I say.
    â€œNow she’s gone backpacking in Europe. How cool is that?”
    And off she goes, talking a streak. Just like always. I don’t tell her to stop. I just soak it up. After a while she asks, “So what’s been going on with you, Sam?”
    â€œA bit. I’ll tell you tomorrow, okay?” It’ll take an hour to tell Indi everything, and I’m too tired to talk anymore.
    â€œOkay. Want to hang out after school?”
    â€œYeah,” I say, “that would be good.”
    â€œBut, Sam?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œLetting stuff go...like the roofing,” she says, “it is sad.”
    It is. But when we hang out after school and I tell her everything, I feel okay. Like everything’s all right. Indi loves my gold watch. She hugs me when I tell her there’s no way I’ll sell it. She can’t wait to meet Norman and Mary. And she totally takes over planning the trip to Space and Time.
    â€œCan I go with you? I’m going with you. Let’s go on Saturday. No, wait. Why not tomorrow, after school? Oh,I can’t. My cousins are coming over. But maybe Friday?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m not in any hurry.”
    â€œBut don’t you want to get the watch fixed? Maybe this Eli guy can give you your grandpa’s phone number or something. Don’t you want to see him?”
    Do I want to see him? I still don’t know. I need to think about it. I guess I do, but maybe that means I have to forget that he ran out on me. I look at Indi and say, “Yeah, I want to get the watch fixed. But there’s no rush. We’ll go in a while.”
    She narrows her eyes and studies me. I put on a smile and shrug.
    â€œOkay,” she says. “Whatever. Let me know when you’re ready.”
    It takes a few weeks before I’m