Zigzag by Ellen Wittlinger Read Free Book Online Page A

to make Chris think I had an interesting summer planned, too. That I wouldn’t be spending three months lying on my bed, weeping.
    A big smile spead across his face. “That is so great! California!”
    â€œYeah, now you don’t have to feel guilty.” I guess I should have worn a muzzle.
    We finished our meal in silence. When I glanced over at Mom and Michael they were forking up the catch of the day and grinning like monkeys.
    â€œI can’t believe you’re going to California!” Franny said, hands on her hips. “And here I was starting to feel sorry for you!”
    Franny had come over to hang out with me Thursday afternoon so I wasn’t sitting alone imagining the beautiful girl Chris would be seated next to on the plane.
    â€œAt least feel sorry for me a little bit longer.” I looked at my watch. “He’s boarding right now.”
    â€œYou’re pathetic.”
    â€œBesides, it’s not like this California thing is much of a pleasure trip. I’ll be stuck in a minivan, which probably has a bumper sticker on the back that says, ‘ My children are honor students at Saint Snooty’s Prep School. ’”
    Franny didn’t look convinced.
    â€œMy cousins are creeps, and now they’re probably depressed on top of it because their father just died.”
    â€œSome nerve.”
    â€œAnd they’re rich, too.”
    â€œHey, if you don’t want to go, tell ’em I’ll go. I don’t mind driving, especially if I’m getting out of Thunder Lake and rich people are paying for everything.” Franny had a way of boiling things down to their essence.
    â€œAt least this summer you’ve got a good job,” I said.
    â€œGood? What’s so good about working in a video store? People complaining all the time. They did return Reservoir Dogs on time—it must be my mistake. They have to have a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie because they promised their seven-year-old, so I should make one magically appear. I hate the public.”
    â€œThe public is just people.”
    â€œYeah, they’re annoying, too.”
    â€œOh, Franny, at least it’s air-conditioned in there. And you don’t end up all sticky with ice cream.”
    â€œI don’t end up in California either.”
    My watch said 2:45. Oh, God, he was on the plane and it was probably getting ready for takeoff. I closed my eyes. Please don’t letthe stupid thing crash, I prayed. Please, please, please.
    â€œHey, here’s a novel idea!” Franny said. “Let’s forget about Chris for five minutes and talk about my fascinating life for a change!”
    I opened my eyes. “Why? What happened to you?”
    â€œNothing much,” she said, giving me her most enigmatic grin.
    I was supposed to guess. “Is it . . . about your mother?”
    Franny looked disgusted. “My mother ? This is about me. ”
    â€œWell, I don’t know . . . you’re working at the video store, you’re living at your mom’s, you’re not going to summer school. . . . What?”
    â€œThose are the only things about me you think are interesting? I’m that utterly boring?”
    â€œFranny, just tell me already!”
    She walked over to the window and looked out. “Oh, look, there goes Chris’s airplane!” she said.
    I jumped up and then, realizing I’d been had, fell back onto the bed. “You can’t tell which airplane is which.”
    â€œI’m using my imagination. Now you try using yours. Think of fifth period Spanish.”
    Spanish? It was the one class Franny and I had had together this year. But I couldn’t think what . . . oh . . . maybe I could. “Does this have anything to do with your enormous crush on Des Sanders?”
    She shrugged. “Could be.”
    â€œReally? Tell me, Franny! Come on—don’t make me guess!”
    She sauntered over to the bed and sat