Wuftoom by Mary G. Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

loudly. He poked a finger into Andy’s chest. “Why is everyone ignoring me? Did Angela say something to you?”
    â€œâ€˜Why is everyone ignoring me?’” Andy mimicked. Someone behind him laughed. Suddenly, he felt surrounded. All of Jordan’s lunch group had gathered around, except for Angela, who was nowhere to be seen.
    â€œWhat’s your deal?” he said angrily.
    â€œâ€˜What’s your deal?’” Andy mimicked back. “What’s wrong with you?” His voice was disdainful. He pulled his head backward as if Evan smelled bad.
    â€œLook, uh . . . Angela ran off this morning. I’m sorry if I’ve been distracted.”
    Andy kept looking at him like he stank. The others had the same look.
    â€œWhatever,” said Evan. He turned and pushed his way through all the watching kids and headed back inside the school. He heard footsteps behind him and turned. It was Cory Parker. “What do you want?” Evan snapped.
    â€œDon’t let them bother you,” said Cory. “They’ll get over it.”
    Evan stared at him. “Cory, why are you being nice to Jordan Bates? He’s always treated you like crap.” Then he realized what he’d said. “I mean . . . I . . .”
    â€œYou’re not that bad! I mean . . .” Cory looked scared.
    â€œOh, hell.” Evan punched a locker. It made his hand sting, which made him even madder. “I’m not Jordan Bates.”
    â€œI should have said this before, but I’m really sorry about your brother,” said Cory.
    Evan stared at him. “What happened to Jordan’s brother?” he asked. He didn’t care if Cory thought he was crazy or not. He wasn’t going to be Jordan anymore.
    â€œMy dad was in a car accident when I was little,” said Cory. “He almost died, too, but he lived and now he’s in a wheelchair.”
    Evan vaguely remembered this. Cory’s father was bitter and mean and a drunk. No one ever saw him, but everyone knew.
    â€œJordan’s brother died in a car accident?” asked Evan.
    Cory gaped at him.
    Evan hadn’t even known Jordan ever had a brother. But that explained why Jordan’s parents had thought they understood. Suddenly, Evan thought about what his mother would do when he was gone. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought about it, but it seemed more real for some reason.
    â€œBye,” said Cory, and he rushed off, down the hallway and away from both Jordan and the other kids. His bootlaces were tied today, but his clothes were shabby and didn’t match.
    Evan jumped out of Jordan and hovered above him for a second.
    Jordan flinched, jerked his arms into the air, and looked around. He looked down at his hands and made two fists, then released them. He stared back at the door to the courtyard, where his former friends had been. Then he turned and followed Cory in the other direction. Evan saw him turn off into the boys’ room.
    Evan floated through the doors and back outside. His mind expanded into the air, and it calmed him. He could see 360 degrees. The grass, the kids, and the school were below him, while above him the sky was blue with only a pair of large gray clouds. He rose higher and floated over the town. He tried to shut out his thoughts, to let himself expand and feel the lightness of not being trapped in any body. He stayed there as long as he could, until the sun was nearly gone and the town glowed with electric lights.

Nine
    I T WAS EVEN HARDER to open and close his hands. The membranes on his face were thicker. His breathing was labored, and he had to constantly brush his arm across his nose to keep the nostrils open. He wondered if he was getting worse because his body had been sitting still for days.
    He tried to act happy for his mother, but his mind wandered. To basketball. To eating food as Jordan Bates. To opening and closing his mouth without