Snowed in Together by Ann Herrick Read Free Book Online Page B

hero.
    That Jeff noticed. He actually puffed up with pride.
    Once the milk transfer was complete, Ellyce and I served up the eggs. When we were done, we served ourselves.
    "Well … it smells good," Ellyce said, surveying her plate.
    "That's half the battle," I said. Suddenly, I realized that everyone else had headed to the cafeteria and the two of us were alone together. If only I could think of something to say. You know, some romantic, witty remark that would make Ellyce fall into my arms. But, tragically, my mind was a blank.
    Finally, Ellyce said, "I guess we should go eat in the cafeteria."
    "Oh. Uh. Sure," was my brilliant reply. I followed Ellyce, hoping maybe I could sit next to her. There was always the possibility that Divine Intervention would supply me with something remarkable to say.
    The tables in the cafeteria were lined up in rows end-to-end, so there would've been plenty of room for us to sit next to each other and still be with the others. But Ellyce walked around to the side where Cari, Tiffany and Ms. Tenray sat.
    I reluctantly took a seat across from them with Tony, Jeff and Mr. Korman. I was just thinking we must've looked like we were lined up for some battle-of-the-sexes reality show, when Jeff said, "These eggs are good!"
    Everyone else quickly joined in the praise."
    "My compliments to the chefs," Tiffany said.
    "A toast." Tony hoisted his glass of milk, and the others followed.
    "Even the milk is good," Jeff said.
    Tiffany beamed.
    "I wish we had some coffee, or something hot to drink," Korman said. "It's cold in here--"
    "Ow." Ms. Tenray squirmed in her chair.
    I hesitated, then asked, "Um … Ms Tenray, are you okay?"
    "It's nothing," she said quickly. "I must've just bruised my … myself when I fell on the sidewalk earlier."
    In a microsecond, Korman raced around the tables and kneeled at Ms. Tenray's side. "Leslie, are you sure you didn't break a bone?"
    "Oh, Charlie. Don't worry." Tenray smiled. "I'm sore, but no sharp pain or anything. I'll be fine. When I was growing up in Connecticut , I fell on icy sidewalks more than once. Aside from some black and blue marks, it was no big deal."
    "You're from Connecticut ?" Korman blinked with surprise. "What town?"
    " Essex ."
    "I grew up in Old Lyme!"
    "Well, for … do you still have family back there?"
    "Yes," Korman said. "Parents, sister--"
    Next thing, Korman and Tenray were yakking about Connecticut . It made me wish that I'd discover that Ellyce and I had something like that in common.
    Suddenly, there was a loud C-R-R-R-E-A-K .
    "What's that?" Tony said.
    Cari gasped. "It sounds like the roof is caving in!"
    There was a long uneasy silence. I pictured the roof collapsing on us from the weight of the snow. Buried alive in school, of all places. What miserable way to go.
    "I bet it was one of the old maple trees," Jeff said. "A branch probably broke off."
    Ms. Tenray eyed the ceiling. Not a single tile was out of place. "Th-that must be it," she said. "A tree branch."
    It was then I noticed Korman's hands were wrapped around Ms. Tenray's. Why hadn't I just followed Ellyce around to the other side of the table. I could be comforting her. Better yet, she could be comforting me. My fantasy machine started going into high gear.
    Suddenly, there was another c-r-e-a-k . Not as loud as before, but still, everyone flinched.
    "Maybe I should go see if I can figure out what's going on," Korman said. He walked over to the windows, leaned close to the glass and peered out. "I can't see much, but it looks as if the wind is--"
    There was a huge, sudden CREAK , then a crash. A tree branch smashed through the window.
    Mr. Korman crumpled to the floor, screaming.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    As I ran to help Korman, I tried to pretend cold terror was not rushing through my veins.
    In a flash, the others were there to help, except Tenray, who limped in our direction. Tony and I lifted the branch off Mr. Korman.
    Korman moaned.
    "Oh, Charles, thank