Transparent by Natalie Whipple Read Free Book Online

everyone hearing.”
    I look around the classroom—everyone is listening, not even pretending to do something else. The last thing I need is more gossip fodder, so I reluctantly stand to face him. “Fine.”

Chapter 7
    I follow Seth outside, the hot air hitting me like a giant blow-dryer. My blue sundress flares up, but I don’t bother pushing it down. Not like he can see. Besides, I wore underwear today, which I kind of regret now that Graham could be here. Sometimes underwear is the difference between getting away and getting caught. I scan the sky, the halls, even the tree branches for him. It looks safe. For now.
    Seth sits under a tree in the courtyard, and I take a spot in the shade, plenty of distance between us.
    He looks at my worksheets again, then directly at my frames. It freaks me out, how he doesn’t search for my limbs or squint like that might help him see. He just picks a spot and stares. “I didn’t intend to make fun of you. I meant that question literally. It seemed plausible, considering your ability.”
    I glare at him, the hairs on my neck prickling. Who does this guy think he is? “It doesn’t matter what you intended, only how it’s interpreted.”
    He raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”
    “Yes.” I force my mouth shut before I really go off on him. I shouldn’t be this upset—I’ve been accused of far worse and it never hurt. A lump forms in my throat. The other accusations weren’t true, but this one is.
    Seth is quiet, watching me. I’m not sure if I prefer that to him talking or not, but it’s easier to take in my surroundings, at least. Graham won’t be able to sneak up on me—I already have every decent hiding spot in this courtyard mapped out. Seth finally says, “Would it have sounded better if I said I think you have a learning disability?”
    Words won’t form, and for a second all my other concerns disappear. When I said I want to figure out who I am, I wasn’t asking to discover I’m an idiot. I finally compose myself enough to talk. “Barely. What makes you think that?”
    “You missed simple questions, Fiona, and not on the algebra, but on the basic addition and subtraction within the algebra. See here?” He holds out the papers, and I force myself to look while he explains. “I can’t believe no one has pointed this out to you before. Did your dad hire a bunch of fake tutors to give you a pretend education?”
    I hate that I’m crying. Why am I crying over stupid math and this stupid boy who thinks he knows everything? Because he’s right. That’s exactly what Dad did—he put me in just enough school to keep me from noticing what I was missing. I didn’t need a real education—not when I was his invisible henchman. I wrap my arms around my legs, wishing I had somewhere to run. If there wasn’t a chance that Graham was at my house, I’d be gone.
    “I need to recommend to Ms. Sorenson that you be moved to remedial courses ,” Seth says.
    That snaps me out of it. “What?”
    “Your math comprehension isn’t even at a seventh-grade level, which means there’s no way you can handle an eleventh-grade class. It would be better for you if you were moved. You aren’t capable of passing.”
    “No.” I can’t seem to stop my head from shaking back and forth. I’m not doing that. Everyone will know. The teasing will never end. “No freaking way.”
    He rolls his eyes. “Calm down. It’s not that bad. You’re acting like I’m calling you stupid or something.”
    Finally I realize who he reminds me of—that attitude, playing down my feelings, belittling me constantly. He’s just like Graham. Except he has no power over me, so I’m not putting up with this. “You aren’t, genius boy? Maybe I’m too stupid to understand, but it sure sounds like you’re calling me an idiot.”
    His eyes widen. “Hey, I’m not the bad guy here. I’m just telling it like it is.”
    I scoff.
    “It’s true. Having a learning disability doesn’t mean you’re stupid.