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  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

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     ,3NIE ,WOODS1 ,%>ON ,CILLEY1 &
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             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
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        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AAA-BJH
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                                     ;II
























              ,*APT] ,SIX           #AAA

  ,?R[+ ! SALT M/ H "W$1 2C NO "O ASKS
ME ANY?+ AB MY COLORS UNTIL ,5GLI%
CLASS4 ,T'S :5 ! DAM BR1KS4 ,2F ! T1*]
-ES IN1 KIDS RU% OV] 6MY DESK & 2G9 FIR+
"QS AT ME4
  8,:AT COLOR IS MY "N80 ,ROSS ,/OL] DE-
M&S4 ,HE'S N"E EV5 .SPOK5 6ME 2F4 8,H[ C
Y R1D ) ALL ^? COLORS FLOAT+ >.D80 ASKS
,MI*ELLE1 ! GIRL )! DIRTY BOOK4 ,!N !
"QS -E ALL AT ONCE4 8,IS X TRUE T Y C
TELL ! "T )\T LOOK+ AT A CLOCK8 ,IS X
TRUE Y C R1D P'S M9DS8 ,:AT DOES X FEEL
L8 ,DOES X HURT80
  ,I TURN F "O P]SON 6! NEXT Z ! "QS GET
M & M ABSURD4 ,MY FACE IS BURN+1 & ,I
SLIDE D[N 9 MY *AIR4 ,LUCKILY ! T1*] -ES
IN1 & "EY"O SITS D[N4 ,I CAT* !M GLANC+
BACK AT ME :5 !Y ?9K ,I'M N LOOK+4 ,I
DON'T "K :AT !Y EXPECT 6SEE4
  ,AT LUN* ,I SU45LY H ! MO/ POPUL> TA#
9 ! CAFET]IA4 ,I TELL P _! "NS >E YELL[
L A RIPE BANANA1 SKY-AF-X-RA9S BLUE1
BURNT-C>AMEL BR[N1 FIRE-5G9E R$4 ,X'S
EXHAU/+4 ,J5NA & ,KIMB]LY TRY TO    #AAB
PROTECT ME 0%OO+ ! CR[D AWAY4 ,S>A C[]S
9 H] S1T & SIL5TLY *EWS H] P1NUT-BUTT]
S&WI*4 ,MOLLY KEEPS B\NC+ UP & D[N1
CLE>LY LOV+ ! ATT5;N4 ,I H 6ADMIT X
ISN'T .ALL BAD4 ,KIDS :O TOT,Y IGNOR$ ME
2F >E CLAMOR+ 6TALK 6ME N[4 ,X WD 2 M
REW>D+ IF X DIDN'T H ! OV]T"OS (A CIRCUS
SIDE%[4
  8,I WDN'T TALK S M* IF ,I 7 Y10 A GIRL
) L;G BLOND HAIR ANN\NCES Z %E PASSES \R
TA#4 8,!Y MI<T /ICK Y 9 A CLASS = .SPE-
CIAL KIDS40
  ,I WAT* H] WALK AWAY1 & MY _SS S9K )
EA* /EP4 ,%E DOESN'T EV5 "K ME4
  8,IGNORE H]10 ,J5NA SAYS4 8,%E'S J
J1L\S40
  ,AF T ,I DON'T FEEL L TALK+ ANYMORE &
GET A HALL PASS 6G 6! BA?ROOM4 ,I HIDE 9
A /ALL UNTIL LUN* IS OV]4
  ,J 6MAKE ! "D -PLETE1 WE H A POP QUIZ
9 MA?4 ,I TRY H>D 6FOCUS1 B ,I C'T4 ,I
W9D UP L1V+ ! LA/ ?REE ANSW]S BLANK4
,AFW WE'RE SUPPOS$ 6/>T ON \R HOME"W
:ILE ! T1*] GRADES ! QUIZZES1 B MY
NOTEBOOK FILLS UP ) DOODLES 9/1D4   #AAC
,! T1*] H&S ! QUIZZES BACK1 & ,I L1VE
M9E FACED[N ON ! DESK4 ,I FANTASIZE T ,I
GOT AN ;,A4 ,A NICE1 HAPPY SUNFL[]-YELL[
;,A4 ,SL[LY ,I TURN "O CORN] OV] UNTIL A
LR />TS APPE>+4 ,X'S A BIG1 FAT PURPLE
;,F &A NOTE 6MEET ) H] Z SOON Z POSSI#4
  ,0! "T ,I BO>D ! BUS 6G HOME1 ,I'M TO-
T,Y WIP$ \ & 9 A RE,Y BAD MOOD4 ,"S"O
:ISP]S1 8,T'S H]4 ,! GIRL :O SEES ALL !
COLORS40 ,S T'S :O ,I AM N[4 ,! 8GIRL :O
SEES COLORS40 ,AT L1/ !Y DON'T "K ,I'M
AL ! GIRL ^: GR&"F'S S\L LIVES 9 H] CAT4
,!Y C'T TAKE T AWAY F ME4
  ,J5NA /AY$ AF S*OOL 6"W ON H] NEWSPAP]
$ITORIAL AB SEXISM 9 GYM CLASS1 S %E'S N
"H = ME 6HIDE 2H4 ,ZACK KEEPS ASK+ ME AB
^! RUMORS HE HE>D AB ME1 B ,I J />E \ !
W9D[4 ,HE RE,Y WON'T %UT UP1 S :5 WE GET
HOME ,I /& ON ! FRONT POR* & TELL HM !
:OLE /ORY4 ,HE'S ACTU,Y QUIET =A *ANGE4
  8,H[ -E ME & ,BE? DON'T H ?80 HE ASKS4
8,MAYBE Y'RE ADOPT$4 ,Y DON'T RE,Y LOOK
L ANY ( U N[ T ,I ?9K AB X40
  8,I'M N ADOPT$10 ,I SAY1 TOO WORN \ TO
>GUE4 8,I DON'T "K :Y ,I H X4       #AAD
,T'S :Y ,I'M GO+ 6ALL ^! DOCTORS40
  8,I ?9K X'S PRETTY N1T10 HE SAYS1 FOL-
L[+ ME 9SIDE4
  8,Y D80
  8,SURE10 HE SAYS1 GR9N+4 8,N[ ,I "K
Y'RE ! /RANGE/ "O 9 ! FAMILY AF ALL4 ,&
Y _H "S /IFF -PETI;N60
  ,I OP5 MY M\? 64AGREE B R1LIZE ,I C'T4
,? IS A V SAD R1LIZ,N4 ,MY "F WALKS 9 2H
U1 PICK+ SAWDU/ (F 8 EYEBR[S4 ,HE ASKS
6SP1K 6ME AL"O1 B ,I TELL HM ,I ALR TOLD
,ZACK :AT'S GO+ ON4
  ,HE SEEMS PL1S$ 0T4 ,DAD LIKES X :5 WE
ALL GET AL;G4 8,WELL !N1 ! NEUROLOGI/'S
(FICE CALL$4 ,YR APPO9T;T IS NEXT ,FRI-
"D4 ,X WD M1N TAK+ Y \ ( S*OOL AG40
  8,I ?9K ,I C H&LE X40
  8,MAYBE ,I %D -E TOO10 ,ZACK SU7E/S4
8,MIA NE$S ME "!40
  8,:5 PIGS FLY10 MY "F SAYS4
  8,?9K T W 2 ANY "T SOON80 ,ZACK ASKS
HOPE;LLY4
  8,NOPE10 MY "F & ,I ANSW] TGR4
  ,A /RANGE ?UMP+ NOISE BR+S U 6! LIV+
ROOM4 8,T10 ,ZACK SAYS1 8IS N !     #AAE
WAY ! BODY IS SUPPOS$ 6"W40 ,BE? IS CON-
TORT$ ON ! FLOOR1 H] LEGS ABV H] H1D )
H] >MS \ 6! SIDES4 ,%E SL[LY TURNS H]
H1D & LOOKS AT U4
  8,X'S YOGA10 %E SAYS *E]ILY4 8,Y ALL
%D TRY X40
  8,:Y80 ,DAD ASKS4
  ,A HI45 VOICE RESPONDS F ! O!R SIDE (!
C\*4 8,X CLE>S ANY BLOCK$ 5]GY40
  8,MOM80 ,I ASK1 L1N+ OV] 6GET A BETT]
VIEW4 ,SURE 5\<1 "! %E IS1 WE>+ OLD G>-
D5+ CLO!S1 B5T 9 "S POSI;N T LOOKS H>D
6GET \ (4
  8,! ,VOODOO ,VIX5'S GOT ANO!R "O10
,ZACK :ISP]S4 8,X'S ONLY A MATT] ( "T
TILL ! RE/ ( U >E SUCK$ IN40
  8,N ME10 ,DAD & ,I SAY AT ! SAME "T4
,WE SMILE AT EA* O!R1 & ,I R1LIZE H[
GLAD ,I AM 6BE HOME4

  ,RA9 PELTS ! C> Z WE DRIVE "? ! UNIV]-
S;Y GATES ON ,FRI"D MORN+4 ,ZACK SD T IF
X RA9S ON A RE,Y IMPORTANT "D1 !N GD ?+S
>E AH1D4 ,AT L1/ ."S?+ IS AH1D1 & T'S
ALL ,I C ASK4 ,! CAMPUS IS RE,Y     #AAF
NICE1 K9D ( M$IEVAL-LOOK+ )A LOT ( GRAY
/"O BUILD+S & TREES "EY":4 ,AF A FEW
WR;G TURNS1 ,DAD F9DS ! "R BUILD+ &!
NE>E/ VISITOR P>K+4 ,WE W&] UP & D[N !
L;G HALLWAYS UNTIL WE F9D ! "R (FICE4
,MY "M KNOCKS ON ! DOOR1 &A TALL1 S&Y-
HAIR$ MAN 9 A :ITE LAB COAT OP5S X "R
AWAY4 ,HE B>ELY LOOKS OLD 5 6BE A DOC-
TOR4 ,HE REM9DS ME (A MOVIE />1 B ,I C'T
?9K ( : "O4 ,"R AWAY HE TELLS U 6CALL HM
,J]RY 9/1D ( ,DR4 ,WEISS4 ,8 (FICE IS
SMALL & FILL$ ) BOOKS ( ALL SORTS--FAT
BOOKS1 SK9NY BOOKS1 OLD BOOKS ) PAGES
/ICK+ \1 NEW BOOKS / /U6$ 9 BAGS4 ,I C'T
IMAG9E T "O MAN CD R1D ALL ^! BOOKS 9 A
:OLE LIFE"T4
  8,W[10 ,I C'T HELP SAY+4 8,\R T[N LI-
BR>Y DOESN'T EV5 H ? _M BOOKS40
  8,X'S IMPORTANT 6KEEP UP ) NEW 4COV]-
IES 9 MY FIELD10 ,J]RY EXPLA9S4
  8,:AT EXACTLY .IS YR FIELD80 MY "F
ASKS1 EXAM9+ ! _M DIPLOMAS L9+ ! WALLS4
  8,Z A NEUROLOGI/1 MY FOCUS IS P]CEP;N4
,I /UDY H[ ! BRA9 PROCESSES 9=M,N F \R
S5SES & H[ X RELAYS T 9=M,N BACK    #AAG
6! RE/ (! BODY40 ,HE GE/URES EXCIT$LY =
U 6SIT4 8,I'VE /UDI$ "S UNUSUAL CASES4
,Z LUCK WD H X1 ,I'M "O (! FEW RESE>*]S
9 ! _W :O HAS EXP]I;E ) YR 3DI;N40
  ,MY "M DOESN'T WA/E ANY "T4 8,C Y TELL
U :AT'S WR;G ) H]80
  ,J]RY SMILES G5TLY4 8,"! IS NO?+ WR;G
) H]40
  8,B "S?+ .IS WR;G10 ,I 9SI/4 8,ALL !
%APES & COLORS )! S.DS &! LRS &! NUMB]S
&--0
  8,SL[ D[N10 ,J]RY SAYS1 / SMIL+4
8,MIA1 Y DON'T H A 41SE4 ,Y DON'T EV5 H
A PRO#M1 EXACTLY4 ,:AT Y H1 BAS$ ON :AT
YR "M TOLD ME1 IS A 3DI;N T IS H>M.S4
,X'S CALL$ SYNES!SIA40
  ,I />E AT HM =A M9UTE TRY+ 6ABSORB :AT
HE J SD4 ,"S": 9 MY H1D A *ORUS ( VOICES
S+S .HALLELUJAH4 ,"! IS A "N = :AT ,I H6
,N T ,I C PRON\NCE X4 8,:AT D ,I H AG80
  ,HE SAYS X AG & ,I REP1T X4 ,X S.DS L
.SIN-ES-THEE-JA4 ,A GOLD-FLECK$ ^W T
DOESN'T EXACTLY ROLL (F ! T;GUE4 ,HE
EXPLA9S1 8,! ^W .SYNES!SIA M1NS ,8S5SES
-+ TGR40' ,IMAG9E T ! WIRES 9 YR    #AAH
BRA9 >E CROSS$1 N LIT],Y ( C\RSE4 ,9 YR
CASE1 YR VISUAL & HE>+ S5SES >E L9K$4 ,!
VISUAL CORTEX 9 YR BRA9 IS ACTIVAT$ :5
YR AUDITORY CORTEX IS /IMULAT$40
  8,IN .MY CASE80 ,I ASK4 8,D A LOT ( P
H ?80 ,I GL.E AT MY P>5TS1 :O >E CLE>LY
Z SURPRIS$ Z ,I AM4
  ,J]RY %AKES 8 B1D4 8,X'S V UNCOMMON4
,WE N[ 2LIEVE T "EY"O IS BORN ) X1 B =
MO/ P ! EXTRA NEURAL 3NEC;NS >E PRUN$
AWAY4 ,= "O P]SON 9 A C\PLE ?\S&1 "S (!
3NEC;NS /AY4 ,Y SEE1 ! FIVE S5SES C
CROSS 9 _M -B9,NS4 ,= 9/.E1 ,I TE/$ "O
WOMAN :O TA/ES BUTT]$ POPCORN E "T %E
HE>S H] HUSB&'S VOICE4 ,& "!'S A WELL-
DOCU;T$ CASE AB A MAN :O FEELS ! S5S,N (
OBJECTS 2+ PLAC$ 9 8 H&S :5 HE TA/ES C]-
TA9 FOODS4 ,SEE+ COLOR$ LRS & NUMB]S--
LEXICAL SYNES!SIA--IS ! MO/ -MON =M1
FOLL[$ 0COLOR$ HE>+4 ,L YRF1 =TY P]C5T (
SYNES!TES--T'S ! ^W = "S"O ) SYNES!SIA--
H M ?AN "O TYPE40
  8,W ^? O!R ?+S HAPP5 6ME TOO80 ,I ASK1
WIDE-EY$4
  8,NO1 Y DON'T H 6WORRY10 ,J]RY    #AAI
ASSURES ME4 8,YR [N SYNES!SIA WON'T V>Y
TOO M*40
  8,H[ C WE MAKE X G AWAY80 MY "M ASKS4
8,MIA C'T V WELL WALK >.D SEE+ COLORS
"EY":4 ,X'S 9T]F]+ ) H] S*OOL"W40
  8,I "U/& YR 3C]N1 ,MRS4 ,W9*ELL4
,H"O/LY1 ,I D4 ,B ? IS ,MIA'S NORMAL WAY
( P]CVG ! _W4 ,%E C LE>N 6-P5SATE = "S
?+S1 B WE C'T ,8CURE0' H]4 ,I'VE N"E MET
ANY"O :O WANT$ _! SYNES!SIA 6G AWAY40
  8,I'M / 9 ! ROOM10 ,I REM9D !M4
  8,MIA10 ,J]RY SAYS1 TURN+ 6ME4 8,"! >E
"S ?+S _M SYNES!TES H 9 -MON1 2SS A
SLI<T MAJOR;Y ( !M 2+ FEMALE4 ,:Y DON'T
Y TELL ME H[ _M ( !M S.D FAMILI> 6Y1
OKAY80
  ,I NOD4
  8,>E Y LEFT-H&$80
  8,YES40
  8,>E Y >TI/IC8 ,MUSICAL80
  8,I PA9T4 ,I DON'T PLAY AN 9/RU;T1 B
,I LI/5 6MUSIC A LOT4 ,I C ALW TELL :AT
NOTE IS 2+ PLAY$ 0XS COLOR4 ,IF A PIANO
ISN'T TUN$ "R1 ,I C TELL 2C ! COLORS W 2
(F40                                #ABJ
  8,Y'RE PROBABLY A V GD SPELL]1 "R80
  ,I NOD AG4
  8,H[ D Y PICTURE ! CAL5D> YE>80
  8,J L "EYBODY ELSE10 ,I ASSURE HM4 8,Y
"K1 L Y'RE SITT+ ON TOP (A ,F]RIS :EEL
AT ! AMUSE;T P>K4 ,JANU>Y IS AT ! TOP (!
:EEL4 ,IF ! :EEL 7 A CLOCK1 ,JANU>Y WD 2
TWELVE4 ,!N Z ! "DS G BY1 ! :EEL TURNS
6! LEFT1 & ,FEBRU>Y IS AT ELEV54 ,0! "T
SUMM] -ES >.D ,I'M AT ! BOTTOM (! :EEL1
B ! :EEL IS SORT ( LY+ FLAT ON ! GR.D
N[4 ,!N 9 ,AUGU/ X />TS 6RISE AG40 ,I
L1N BACK1 3T5T T AT L1/ 9 ? REG>D ,I AM
NORMAL4 ,X TAKES ME A SECOND 6REGI/] !
FACT T NO "O IS AGREE+ ) MY DESCRIP;N4
,MY "M'S M\? IS ACTU,Y HANG+ OP54
  8,N "EY"O SEES ! YE> L ?80 ,I ASK W1K-
LY4
  ,! ?REE ( !M %AKE _! H1DS4 ,J]RY IS
SMIL+4 ,HE SMILES A LOT4
  8,D Y M1N T "EY"O :O HAS ? SYNES!SIA
3DI;N HAS ALL ( ^! TRAITS80 MY "M ASKS1
CLE>LY SKEPTICAL4
  8,N "EY"O1 ( C\RSE10 ,J]RY SAYS4 8,=
9/.E1 _M P ,I'VE TE/$ H PRO#MS )    #ABA
"U/&+ MA?1 B ON ! O!R H&1 "O ( MY =M]
TE/ SUBJECTS IS N[ A COLLEGE MA? PROFES-
SOR4 ,B X'S UNCANNY H[ _M "*I/ICS !Y D
%>E40
  8,X'S C]TA9LY FASC9AT+1 ,DR4 ,WEISS1
]1 ,J]RY10 MY "F SAYS4 8,B H[ C WE HELP
,MIA80
  8,MIA C TRA9 H]F 6MAKE DI6]5T M5TAL
3NEC;NS 0N>R[+ H] FOCUS & 3C5TR,N4 ,X W
LIKELY HAPP5 AUTOMATIC,Y Z %E GETS OLD]4
,>E Y SURE NO "O ELSE 9 YR FAMILY HAS ?
3DI;N8 ,X'S (T5 H]$IT>Y40
  ,MY P>5TS %AKE _! H1DS4 8,W Y "W ) H]
& SEE :AT Y C D80 MY "M ASKS4
  8,( C\RSE10 ,J]RY SAYS4 ,HE TELLS U HE
HAS A CLASS 6T1* N[ B 9VITES ME BACK !
NEXT "D 6D "S TE/S4
  8,>E Y GO+ 6HOOK ME UP 6ANY WIRES80 ,I
ASK4
  8,NO WIRES1 ,I PROMISE40 ,! RA9 HAS
/OPP$1 & ,J]RY WALKS U ALL ! WAY \ 6\R
C>4 ,I'M AB 6GET 9 :5 HE TELLS ME 6WAIT4
  ,HE DIGS >.D 9 8 LAB-COAT POCKETS &
H&S ME A FOLD$ PIECE ( PAP]4 8,"H'S !
A4RESS (A SYNES!SIA ,WEB SITE ":    #ABB
Y C 9T]ACT ) P F ALL OV] ! _W40
  ,I />E AT ! PAP]4 8,O!R P ) SYNES!-
SIA80
  ,J]RY NODS4 8,ALL K9DS ( P ) ALL DI6]-
5T TYPES ( SYNES!SIA4 ,"! >E 4CUS.N
GR\PS Y C JO9 & >TICLES 6R1D1 AL? Y MAY
F9D "S ( !M A BIT DRY40
  ,I'M S EXCIT$ T ,I GIVE HM A HUG4 ,HE
WAVES GD-BYE Z WE PULL \ (! P>K+ LOT4 ,I
SETTLE BACK 9 MY S1T1 CLUT*+ ! PIECE (
PAP] ,J]RY GAVE ME4 ,I M/ F9D ,BILLY N[4
,I H 6LET 8 "M "K HE DOESN'T H A BRA9
TUMOR4 ,HE'S N CRAZY4 ,& NEI AM ,I4
  ,&! *ORUS BELTS \ ANO!R R.D ( .HALLE-
LUJAH6









              ,*APT] ,SEV5          #ABC

  ,0ELEV5 O'C ,SATUR"D MORN+1 ,MOM & ,I
>E SITT+ 9 ,J]RY'S LAB SURR.D$ 0/RANGE
MA*9ES T HUM & BEEP4 ,I DIDN'T RETURN
,J5NA'S ?REE PH"O CALLS LA/ NI<T2 ,I'M J
N R1DY 6%>E :AT ,I'VE LE>N$ AB MYF YET4
,I ALM FEEL Z IF %E DOESN'T DES]VE 6"K1
AF :AT %E DID4 ,J]RY 9TRODUCES U 6HIS
ASSI/ANT--A P]KY GRADUATE /UD5T "ND
,DE2IE1 :O IS WE>+ RA9B[-/RIP$ OV]ALLS !
LIKES ( : ,I HAV5'T SE5 S9CE OLD .,BRADY
.,BUN* RERUNS4 ,%E PUMPS MY H& HELLO &
SEEMS V HAPPY 6MEET ME4 ,J]RY ASKS ME AB
MY COLORS1 :AT %APES ,I SEE1 :AT TEX-
TURES1 ETC4 ,I EXPLA9 T "S LRS >E %9Y1
"S >E GAUZY1 "S >E GRA9Y L WOOD4 ,"S >E
EV5 FUZZY4 ,DE2IE WRITES "EY?+ D[N4
  8,H[ D ,I -P>E ) O!R P :O H ?80 ,I ASK
,J]RY4 8,O!R SYNES ''' SYNES!TES80 ,X'S
/ A H>D ^W 6SAY4
  8,:5 WE F/ />T$ TE/+ P1 WE ASSUM$ ALL
! SYNES!TES WD SEE ! SAME COLORS & %APES
=! SAME S.DS10 ,J]RY SAYS4 8,! 9ITIAL
!ORY 0 T IF "S P1 L Y1 C SEE A COLOR :5
!Y HE> A S.D1 T M/ M1N T ! S.D      #ABD
ACTU,Y .HAS COLOR B T ONLY A R>E FEW P C
SEE X4 ,B WE QKLY F.D T 9 R1L;Y X
DOESN'T HAPP5 T WAY4 ,P'S COLORS SEEM TO
2 UNIQUE 6!M4 ,! GEOMETRIC %APES >E M* M
SIMIL>4 ,N T !Y APPE> AT ! SAME S.DS1 B
! G5]AL %APES T SYNES!TES SEE DON'T DI6]
TOO M*4 ,= P :O H COLOR$ ALPHABETS1 "!
>E WIDE COLOR V>I,NS1 AL? _M P SEEM 6AS-
SOCIATE LI<T COLORS ) V[ELS40
  8,S 6ANO!R SYNES!TE MY "N CD 2 PURPLE
) ORANGE /RIPES :5 6ME X'S C&Y-APPLE R$
)A T\* ( AVOCADO GRE580
  8,EXACTLY40
  ,I SIT BACK 9 MY *AIR & LET X S9K IN4
,MY "M J %AKES H] H1D1 ABSORB+ "EY?+4
  ,J]RY BR+S U 6"O (! S*OOL'S D9+ HALLS
= LUN*1 & ,I SU45LY FEEL V "Y4 ,& %ORT4
,I M1N1 ,I "K ,I'M %ORT1 B ,I DIDN'T RE-
ALIZE ,I 0 .? %ORT4
  8,MOM10 ,I :ISP] Z WE PICK UP \R C>D-
BO>D TRAYS & GET 9 L9E1 8>E ALL ! GIRLS
9 COLLEGE ? TALL80
  ,J]RY M/ H HE>D ME1 2C HE />TS LAU<+4
8,! GIRLS' BASKETBALL T1M PRACTICES 9 !
NEXT BUILD+1 S !Y -E "H = LUN*4     #ABE
,I PROMISE Y ! O!R D9+ HALLS H %ORT] /U-
D5TS40
  ,I DECIDE T ,J]RY'S K9D ( CUTE--=A
GR[N-UP1 T IS4 ,I HELP MYF 6A PLATE (
FRUIT SALAD &A TURKEY S&WI*4 ,"!'S NO
WAY ,I C H A CRU% ON ,J]RY4 ,IF HE ISN'T
OLD 5 6BE MY "F1 HE'S AT L1/ OLD 5 6BE
MY "F'S "Y] BRO!R4
  ,WE F9D A TA# AWAY F ! CR[D4 ,MY "M
GIVES ,J]RY AB A ?IRTY-SECOND H1D />T ON
8 BURRITO 2F %E 2G9S ! ONSLAU<T4
  8,DR4 ,WEISS1 ,I--10 %E 2G9S4
  ,HE HOLDS UP 8 NONBURRITO H&4 8,J]RY40
  8,J]RY10 %E CORRECTS H]F )A SI<4 8,I
"K Y SD Y C'T MAKE ,MIA'S 3DI;N G AWAY
-PLETELY4 ,B Y C HELP H] "W >.D X1 "R80
  ,J]RY TURNS 6ME4 8,WD Y WANT T1 ,MIA80
  ,HE'S WAIT+ PATI5TLY = AN ANSW]1 B ,I
C'T FIGURE \ :AT 6SAY4 ,I .D WANT 6BE A#
6PASS MY CLASSES1 & X .WD 2 NICE 6BE L
"EY"O ELSE4 ,B IF ,I CDN'T USE MY COL-
ORS1 ! _W WD SEEM S BL&--L VANILLA ICE
CR1M )\T ! GUMMY BE>S ON TOP4 8,I DON'T
"K10 ,I ADMIT4 8,I RE,Y .L GUMMY BE>S40
  ,!Y BO? LOOK AT ME "Q+LY1 & ,I    #ABF
COV] MY M\? :5 ,I R1LIZE :AT ,I SD4
  ,I QKLY CORRECT MYF4 8,I M1N1 ,I C'T
IMAG9E LIFE )\T MY COLORS40
  ,MY "M DOESN'T LOOK TOO PL1S$ ) MY RE-
SPONSE4 ,%E PICKS AT H] [N FRUIT PLATE4
  8,B10 ,I ADD1 8,I AL DON'T WANT 6FAIL
MY CLASSES40
  ,MOM P]KS UP A BIT4
  8,WE H ONLY F.D A FEW SUB/.ES T H ANY
E6ECT :ATSO"E ON ! SYNES!TIC RESPONSE10
,J]RY TELLS U4 8,/IMULANTS S* Z C(FEE &
NICOT9E DAMP5 SYNES!SIA1 & DEPRESSANTS
S* Z ALCOHOL C 9CR1SE X4 ,9 ORD] 6TELL Y
:Y T IS ,I'D H 6GIVE Y A LESSON AB H[ !
LIMBIC SY/EM 9 YR BRA9 FUNC;NS 9 RE-
SPONSE 6N]VE /IMUL,N40
  8,I'LL TAKE YR ^W = X10 ,I TELL HM4
  8,X'S AL POSSI# =A P]SON'S SYNES!SIA
6*ANGE IF "S?+ TRAUMATIC HAPP5S 6!M4
,USU,Y X'S DAMP5$ UNTIL !Y RECOV]4 ,X
MAY GET /R;G] AF E>LY *ILDHOOD1 B X
SEEMS 6W1K5 :5 P APPROA* OLD AGE4 ,I C
HELP Y "W >.D X1 6PU% X M 6! BACK ( YR
3SCI\S;S1 IF T'S RE,Y :AT Y WANT40
  ,MY "M LOOKS AT ME1 N BO!R+ TO    #ABG
KEEP H] OPTIMI/IC EXPRES.N HI454 ,! ONLY
RE,Y TRAUMATIC ?+ T ,I'VE BE5 "? IS
,GR&PA'S D1?4 ,B ,I DON'T REMEMB] ANY?+
*ANG+ ) MY COLORS4 ,MAYBE X WASN'T Z
TRAUMATIC Z X CD H BE5 2C ,I KNEW ,I /
_H A "P ( ,GR&PA 9 ,MANGO4 ,& WE ALL
KNEW X 0 -+2 HE _H BE5 SICK = MON?S4
  8,! ?+ IS10 ,I TELL !M1 AW>E (! QUIV]
9 MY VOICE1 8MY COLORS HELP ME A LOT
TOO4 ,I'M ! BE/ SPELL] 9 MY CLASS1 & ,I
C REMEMB] HI/ORY RE,Y WELL TOO4 ,PH"O
NUMB]S1 "NS1 "EY?+4 ,WELL1 "EY?+ EXCEPT
MA? & =EIGN LANGUAGES4 ,B :AT IF ,I
PROMISE 6ALW C>RY A CALCULATOR & 6N"E
TRAVEL 6=EIGN C.TRIES80 ,I LOOK HOPE;LLY
AT MY "M4
  ,2F %E C RESPOND1 ,J]RY SAYS1 8,Y
DON'T H 6WORRY1 ,MIA4 ,I TRULY D\BT ANY-
?+ CD MAKE YR SYNES!SIA 4APPE> ="E40
  8,S :AT %D ,I D AB MY PRO#MS 9 S*OOL80
  ,J]RY TAKES A BITE ( 8 *OCOLATE CAKE &
SAYS1 8,I C SET Y UP )A MA? TUTOR 9 YR
>EA4 ,Y'LL H 6>RANGE YR [N HELP ) ,SPAN-
I%40
  ,J]RY GIVES U ! TUTOR'S PH"O      #ABH
NUMB]1 & WE SET UP ! NEXT VISIT 6! UNI-
V]S;Y4 ,HE WALKS U \ 6! C> AG1 B ? "T ,I
RE/RA9 MYF F GIV+ HM A HUG4 ,I DON'T
WANT 6SEEM L A LL KID4
  8,Y SEEM V HAPPY 6"K YR 3DI;N HAS A
"N10 MY "M SAYS Z ! C> W9DS "? ! /REETS
(! CAMPUS4
  8,Y H NO IDEA40
  8,NO1 ,I SUPPOSE N10 %E REPLIES1 D\#-
*ECK+ H] MAP4 ,!N %E ASKS1 8,HE'S A NICE
MAN1 DON'T Y ?9K80
  8,J]RY8 ,YES1 ,I ?9K HE'S V NICE40
  8,GD-LOOK+1 TOO10 %E A4S1 H] EYES
/RAI<T AH1D4
  8,MOM60
  ,%E %RUGS & FLA%ES A SMALL SMILE4
8,I'M N BL1 Y "K4 ,HE LOOKS A LL L ,PAUL
,NEWMAN40
  8,! SALAD-DRESS+ GUY8 ,NO WAY40
  8,MAYBE X'S ! EYES10 MY "M SAYS WI/;L-
LY Z %E MAKES A %>P TURN ONTO ! HI<WAY
5TR.E RAMP4 8,^? BLUE1 BLUE EYES40
  8,I'M TELL+ ,DAD Y H A CRU% ON ,J]RY40
  8,I DON'T H A CRU% ON ,J]RY10 %E SAYS4
8,I H A CRU% ON ,PAUL ,NEWMAN4      #ABI
.,! .,/+ 0 A CLASSIC4 ,Y KIDS DON'T "K
:AT Y'RE MISS+40
  ,I ROLL MY EYES4 ,WE >GUE AB ,J]RY V]-
SUS ,PAUL ,NEWMAN =! NEXT T5 MILES4 ,I H
6ADMIT T X'S FUN 2+ AL"O ) MY "M :5
WE'RE N WORRI$ AB "S?+4
  ,:5 WE GET HOME ,I SETTLE D[N ON MY B$
& =CE MYF 6/>T ! HOME"W ,I'VE BE5 NE-
GLECT+4 ,I LOVE ! COZY FEEL+ ( MY B$ROOM
:5 X />TS GETT+ COLD] \TSIDE4 ,I'M FEEL+
V PL1S$ ) MYF &! _W1 :5 ,BE? WALKS "R 9
& PLOPS D[N NEXT 6ME4 ,%E DOESN'T SEEM
6C>E T %E'S CR9KL+ MY NOTEBOOK PAGES4
  8,C ,I HELP Y80 ,I ASK1 PULL+ MY PAP]S
\ F "U H]4 ,! COZI;S IS 4APPE>+ FA/4
  8,I'M WAIT+ = Y 6TELL ME :AT'S BE5 GO+
ON10 %E SAYS1 H] >MS CROSS$4 8,I M1N1 ,I
"K ! B>E B"OS ( X F ,ZACK1 B ,I WANT TO
HE> X F Y40
  ,I GL.E UP AT MY WALL ( CLOCKS 6SEE H[
M* "T ,I H 2F D9N]4 ,MOM WON'T LET ME
*ECK \ ! SYNES!SIA ,WEB SITE UNTIL AF
,I'VE F9I%$ MY HOME"W & WE'VE EAT54
  8,C ? WAIT TILL LAT]80
  8,NO PRO#M10 ,BE? SAYS4 8,I'LL    #ACJ
J WAIT "R "H TILL Y'RE R1DY40 ,%E L1NS
BACK ON ! B$ & PROPS H]F UP )A PILL[4
  8,Y'RE GO+ 6WAIT "H8 ,ON MY B$80
  8,YUP4 ,J PRET5D ,I'M N "H40
  8,T'D 2 A LOT EASI] IF Y .W]5'T "H40
  8,0! WAY10 ,BE? SAYS1 LOOK+ D[N T[>D !
5D (! B$1 8":'S ,MANGO8 ,I 0 LOOK+ = HM
2F40
  8,:Y80
  8,I H PLANS TN1 & ,I ?9K ,I'M />T+ TO
GET A COLD4 ,ZACK SD T IF A CAT SITS ON
YR LAP = HALF AN H\R1 Y WON'T GET SICK40
  ,I />E AT H]4 8,>E Y S]I\S80
  ,%E NODS4
  8,WELL1 HE'S PROBABLY \TSIDE40
  ,BE? %AKES H] H1D4 8,DAD SD HE LET HM
9 A FEW H\RS AGO40
  ,I CLOSE MY NOTEBOOK4 8,ALL "R1 Y W94
,-E ) ME 6F9D ,MANGO1 & ,I'LL TELL Y ON
! WAY40
  ,%E JUMPS UP & WE LOOK >.D MY ROOM4 ,I
*ECK "U ! B$ & 9 ! CLOSET1 & !N WE MOVE
D[N/AIRS4 ,Z WE OP5 DOORS & PE] "U C\*ES
,I EXPLA9 AB ! SYNES!SIA &! DOCTORS4
,BE? HANGS ON MY E ^W4 ,X'S A LL    #ACA
F"R5+4
  ,WE'RE 9 ! HALLWAY 2H ! KIT*5 0! "T ,I
F9I% ! /ORY4 ,? SEC;N (! H\SE 0 ! LA/ TO
2 8F9I%$10 & X'S ALM TOT,Y UNUSA#4 ,!
FLOOR SLOPES SLI<TLY D[NHILL1 &! HALLWAY
IS S N>R[ T ,BE? & ,I H 6WALK S+LE FILE4
,AT ! 5D (! HALL IS ! T9Y ROOM ": ,MOM
KEEPS H] TELESCOPE & \R W9T] COATS4 ,I
OP5 ! DOOR1 EV5 ?\< "!'S NO WAY ,MANGO
CD H GOTT5 9 "!4
  8,T'S "S /ORY10 ,BE? SAYS Z %E PULLS !
CORD 6TURN ON ! OV]H1D LI<TBULB4 8,IS X
TRUE80
  8,( C\RSE X'S TRUE10 ,I SNAP AT H] Z
,I SCAN ! ROOM4 ,ALL ,I SEE >E PILES (
%9Y W9T] COATS & SN[ PANTS4 8,DON'T MAKE
ME SORRY ,I TOLD Y40
  8,NO10 %E SAYS QKLY4 8,I'M GLAD Y DID4
,X'S RE,Y 9T]E/+40
  ,I LOOK AT H] 6SEE IF %E'S T1S+ ME1 B
"! IS "S?+ T RESEM#S ADMIR,N 9 H] EYES4
,W[1 T'S A NEW "O4
  ,BE? GL.ES PA/ ME Z ,I TRY 6ADJU/ 6?
NEW FEEL+4 8,"!'S YR CAT10 %E SAYS1
PO9T+ 6A /ACK ( GLOVES & WOOL       #ACB
HATS4
  ,I TURN >.D 6SEE "O ( ,MANGO'S E>S
/ICK+ \ F ! MI4LE (! PILE4 ,I G OV] &
PICK HM UP4 ,HE PURRS 9 MY >MS4 8,H[ DID
Y GET 9 "H80 ,I ASK HM4 ,HE DOESN'T AN-
SW]1 & ? ,I SUPPOSE IS A GD ?+4
  ,I EXAM9E ! ROOM CLOSELY4 ,9 "O CORN]
! WALLS DON'T -PLETELY MEET4 ,MANGO M/ H
TRAVEL$ 2T !M & "SH[ W.D UP "H4 ,HE
SEEMS 65JOY HID+ ^! "DS4 ,X M/ 2 2C X'S
GETT+ COLD]4 ,I H& HM 6,BE?4 8,GD LUCK )
! CAT CURE40
  ,AT D9N] MY "F ASKS IF ,I WANT 6TALK
AB :AT HAPP5$ AT ! LAB4
  8,N RE,Y10 ,I ANSW]1 %OV+ D[N =K;LS (
LASAGNA4 ,I BURN MY T;GUE ON A *EESE
BUB# & SWIG HALF A GLASS ( ICE WAT]4
  8,DID !Y MAKE Y RUN A MAZE )A BIG *UNK
( *$D> AT ! 5D80 ,ZACK ASKS4 8,RUB YR
BELLY & PAT YR H1D AT ! SAME "T8 ,RECITE
! ALPHABET BACKW>D80
  8,T'S 5\<1 ,ZA*>Y10 ,MOM SAYS4 8,EAT
YR P1S40
  ,I PO9T 6MY EMPTY PLATE4 8,C ,I G USE
! -PUT] N[80                        #ACC
  8,DID Y F9I% YR HOME"W80
  ,I 3SID] PO9T+ \ T X'S ONLY ,SATUR"D
NI<T & T ,I'D H ALL "D TM 6F9I% X1 B ,I
DON'T WANT 6TAKE ! *.E4 8,YES10 ,I LIE1
TELL+ MYF T AT L1/ ,I FEEL GUILTY AB
LY+1 & T M/ C.T = "S?+4 ,I'LL D ?REE GD
DE$S 6MAKE UP = X4
  8,H[ -E %E GETS 6L1VE ! TA# 2F D9N]'S
OV]80 ,BE? -PLA9S4 8,I H PLANS ) ,C\RT-
NEY & ,BR5T TN2 C ,I L1VE TOO80
  8,YR FRS S.D L !Y 2L;G ON A SOAP OP-
]A10 ,ZACK SAYS4 8,OH1 ,C\RTNEY1 YR
SILKY HAIR & MILKY SK9 >E ALL ,I ?9K AB6
,M>RY ME40 ,8 LAU<T] =MS A PALE-BLUE
CL\D T K9D ( DRIZZLES D[N Z X 4SOLVES4
,I'M FULLY AW>E ( ALL MY S.D-PICTURES
N[4 ,J]RY TAU<T ME T PHRASE4 .,S.D-
PICTURES4 ,I L X4
  8,AT L1/ ,I .H FRS10 ,BE? SAYS 9DIG-
NANTLY4
  8,WE H FRS10 ,ZACK SAYS4 8,DON'T WE1
,MIA80
  8,N _M10 ,I ANSW] Z ,I PLACE MY PLATE
9 ! S9K4
  ,ZACK SITS BACK & CROSSES 8       #ACD
>MS1 & ,BE? GL>ES AT BO? ( U4 ,I TAKE !
FOLD$ ,WEB A4RESS \ ( MY POCKET & H1D
96MY MOM'S (FICE1 ": WE KEEP ! -PUT]4 ,I
CLOSE ! DOOR 2H ME4
  ,I LOG ON1 TYPE 9 MY PASS^W1 ,M-,A-,N-
,G-,O1 & WAIT =! 3NEC;N 6G "?4 ,Z SOON Z
X DOES1 ,I TYPE 9 ! ,WEB A4RESS1 N EV5
BO!R+ 6*ECK MY ;E-MAIL F/4 ,IF "! IS
ANY1 X'S PROBABLY J F ,J5NA4 ,I WAIT =!
-PUT] 6G "? ALL XS *ILDPRO(+ S T MY SITE
C LOAD4 ,MY P>5TS 9/ALL$ S _M FILT]S T
X'S A MIRACLE :5 ANY?+ -ES "? AT ALL4
  ,WELCOME ,6,! ,_W ,( ,SYNES!SIA6 !
H1DL9E SCR1MS \ AT ME Z ! PAGE LOADS UP4
,I'M SURPRIS$ ! SITE ISN'T M COLOR;L2 !N
,I R1D ! F/ P>AGRAPH3 8,=! 3SID],N ( ALL
Y SYNES!TES \ "!1 ALL ! TEXT ON ! ,WEB
SITE W 2 PR9T$ 9 BLACK TYPE4 ,_M ( Y
COLOR-LR FOLK H -PLA9$ 9 ! PA/ H[ FRUS-
TRAT+ X IS 6R1D 9 A COLOR T DOESN'T MAT*
YR [N LRS1 & WE AIM 6PL1SE4 ,REMEMB]1 "O
P]SON'S GRE5 ;R IS ANO!R P]SON'S TUR-
QUOISE60
  ,I L1N BACK 9 ! *AIR1 AMAZ$4 ,I'VE
LE>N$ "S?+ AB MYF AF ONLY R1D+ !    #ACE
OP5+ P>AGRAPH6 ,E "T ,I H 6R1D TEXT 9
COLORS O!R ?AN BLACK OR :ITE1 L 9 A MAG-
AZ9E ADV]TISE;T OR ON A BOOK COV]1 ,I
GET A H1DA*E 2C X'S ! .WR;G COLOR4 ,I
TRY 6AVOID X :5"E POSSI#4 ,ALR ,I FEEL A
S5SE ( 2L;G+ ) ^! P4 ,MY HE>T B1TS FA/]1
& MY F+] %AKES A LL Z ,I SCROLL D[N !
SCRE54 ,! PH"O R+S NEXT 6ME1 B ,I IGNORE
X &! R$ SPIRALS T X CAUSES4
  ,I 4COV] T IF ,I WRITE A PROFILE (
MYF1 X'LL G \ 6O!R SYNES!TES :O C !N ;E-
MAIL ME IF !Y WANT TO4 ,USU,Y MY P>5TS
WON'T LET ME GIVE \ MY ;E-MAIL A4RESS1 B
,I DON'T ?9K !Y WD M9D ? "T4 ,I PUT 9 MY
"N1 MY ;E-MAIL A4RESS1 MY AGE1 & MY TYPE
( SYNES!SIA1 & 9 ! 9T]E/S & HO2IES SEC-
;N1 ,I WRITE 8PA9T+1 MUSIC1 2+ \TDOORS1
& MY CAT40 ,Z ,I'M AB 6S5D X (F1 MY "M
WALKS 96! (FICE1 S ,I ASK H] P]MIS.N4
  ,%E WALKS OV] & LOOKS AT ! SCRE54
  8,G AH1D10 %E SAYS4 8,DR4 ,WEISS WDN'T
H GIV5 X 6Y IF HE DIDN'T ?9K X 0 A SAFE
5VIRON;T40
  8,J]RY10 ,I CORRECT H]1 & WAIT = H] TO
L1VE AG4 ,%E'S / "H4                #ACF
  8,I CAME 9 6TELL Y T A BOY F S*OOL IS
ON ! PH"O4 ,HE WANTS 6TALK 6Y AB "S HIS-
TORY PROJECT4 ,H[ -E ? IS ! F/ ,I'VE
HE>D AB X80
  ,I TURN >.D 6LOOK AT H]4 8,A BOY80 ,I
ASK4 8,ROG] ,C>SON80
  8,YES1 T'S 8 "N4 ,HE S.D$ PRETTY ANX-
I\S4 ,Y BETT] PICK X UP40
  ,I'D BE5 AVOID+ ,ROG] &! O!RS 9 MY
GR\P4 ,I RE,Y DON'T WANT 6TALK 6ANY"O "R
N[1 ESPECI,Y AB S*OOL4 8,C'T Y TELL HM
,I'LL CALL HM BACK80
  8,I .C10 %E SAYS1 8B ,I WON'T40
  ,I SI< & WAIT = H] 6L1VE 2F ,I PICK UP
! PH"O4 8,HI1 ,ROG]10 ,I SAY HURRI$LY4
8,C WE TALK AB ? 9 S*OOL ON ,MON"D80
  8,DID Y "K WE'RE ! ONLY GR\P T HASN'T
PICK$ A TOPIC YET80 ,HE DOESN'T GIVE ME
A *.E 6ANSW] 2F 3T9U+4 8,WE H 6GET TGR ?
WEEK4 ,I RE,Y NE$ A GD GRADE 9 HI/ORY40
  ,:ILE HE'S TALK+1 ,I S5D MY PROFILE \
6SYNES!SIA CYB]SPACE4 ,I R1LIZE HE'S
WAIT+ = ME 6REPLY4
  8,:5"E Y WANT IS F9E ) ME10 ,I TELL
HM4 8,J LET ME "K40                 #ACG
  8,H[ AB ,MON"D80 HE SU7E/S4
  8,F9E10 ,I SAY1 HALF LI/5+ Z ,I SKIM
"? ! TITLES (! >TICLES ,I C D[NLOAD4
,J]RY 0 "R4 ,MO/ ( !M >E F S*OL>LY J\R-
NALS & H L;G TITLES1 S* Z 8,! ,/UDY (
,SYNES!TIC ,CROSS-,S5SORY ,MODALITIES Z
A ,RESULT ( ,V>I\S ,P]CEPTUAL ,/IMULI40
,IF ,I C'T EV5 "U/& ! TITLE1 "! W 2 LL
*.E ( "U/&+ ! >TICLE4 ,I SU45LY R1LIZE
,ROG] IS / TALK+4
  8,:AT DID Y SAY80 ,I ASK4
  8,I .SD1 WE'LL MEET 9 ! CAFET]IA AT
LUN*"T & PICK A TOPIC4 ,OKAY80
  8,Y WANT 6"W DUR+ LUN*80 ,I ASK1 SUR-
PRIS$4
  8,:Y N80 ,ROG] ASKS4
  ,I _HN'T SAT ) ANY"O O!R ?AN MY FRS AT
LUN* S9CE GRAMM> S*OOL4 ,& ,I'D N"E SAT
AT A TA# ) TWO BOYS4 ,I GUESS IF WE
PICK$ A TA# ALL ! WAY 9 ! BACK1 NO "O WD
NOTICE4 8,NO?+4 ,X'S F9E10 ,I SAY1 TRY+
6S.D L ,I M1N X4
  ,I CLICK ON AN >TICLE1 SEE WAY TOO _M
L;G ^WS1 & CLICK ON ! NEXT "O4
  ,I TUNE BACK IN1 & ,ROG] IS       #ACH
SAY+ "S?+ L 8)A LI/ ( SU7E/$ TOPICS1
OKAY80
  8,SURE10 ,I SAY1 N EV5 "K+ :AT ,I
AGRE$ TO4 ,I HANG UP ! PH"O & TURN MY
FULL ATT5;N BACK 6! SCRE54 ,I R1D AN >-
TICLE AB A WOMAN :O SAYS %E GOES 6AN AC-
UPUNCTURE CL9IC 2C :5 ! NE$LES G IN1
AMAZ+ COLORS & %APES APPE> 9 FRONT ( H]
FACE4 ,ANO!R WOMAN SAYS %E LIKES 6TAKE A
HOT BA? :ILE LI/5+ 6MUSIC4 ,%E SAYS !
/1M F ! BA? GIVES ! COLORS A :OLE NEW
DIM5.N4 ,AB AN H\R LAT] MY EYES >E SORE
& ,I GL.E AT ! PH"O4 ,:5 DID ,I SAY GD-
BYE 6,ROG]8 ,H[ DID ! 3V]S,N EV5 5D8 ,I
TURN (F ! -PUT] )A %RUG4 ,:AT"E X 0 X
CDN'T H BE5 TOO IMPORTANT OR ELSE ,I WD
REMEMB] X4 ,I V[ 6TRY T BA? ?+ Z SOON Z
POSSI#4 ,GETT+ /UCK ) NE$LES ISN'T Q Z
APP1L+4
  ,ALL ^? P 9 _! BLACK-&-:ITE _WS--!Y H
NO IDEA :AT !Y'RE MISS+4



              ,*APT] ,EI<T          #ACI

  ,F/ ?+ ,SUN"D MORN+ ,I RIDE MY BIKE 6!
GROC]Y /ORE4 ,! CA%I]S >E / SETT+ UP _!
REGI/]S4 ,I DON'T SEE ! WOMAN :O *ECK$ U
\ ! NI<T ,I MET ,BILLY1 B %E SU45LY AP-
PE>S F 2H A HUGE /ACK ( TOILET PAP]4 ,I
HURRY UP 6H] & TAP H] ON ! %\LD]4 ,%E
JUMPS1 &! TOILET PAP] GOES FLY+4 ,I HELP
H] /ACK X BACK UP 96A PYRAMID4
  8,SORRY AB T10 ,I SAY4
  8,C ,I HELP Y80 %E ASKS WE>ILY4
  8,YES1 ,I 0 9 "H A FEW WEEKS AGO4 ,Y
PROBABLY DON'T REMEMB] ME1 B "! 0 ? LADY
'''0 ,I PAUSE1 SU45LY FEEL+ V /UPID4 8,&
H] SON ''' HE 0 >.D FIVE YE>S OLD1 & ,I
0 WOND]+ IF Y MI<T REMEMB] !M8 ,_! LA/
"N IS ,H5KLE80
  ,! WOMAN %AKES H] H1D4 8,Y "K H[ _M P
-E 9 "H E "D8 ,I'M LUCKY IF ,I C REMEMB]
MY [N "N40
  8,"R10 ,I SAY1 MY HOPES FAD+4 8,?ANKS
ANYWAY40

  ,W9D$ F RID+ HOME AT TOP SPE$1 ,I L1VE
MY BIKE ON ! CURB & RUN 9SIDE4      #ADJ
,X'S PRETTY UNLIKELY T "S"O WD H R1D MY
PROFILE ALR1 B ,I C'T WAIT4 ,I G ONTO MY
MAIL SCRE51 &! MESSAGE 8,Y'VE GOT MAIL0
POPS UP4 ,I F9D TWO LRS F ,J5NA1 "O F
,KIMB]LY1 & "O F "SBODY ^: ;E-MAIL AD-
DRESS ,I DON'T RECOGNIZE4
  8,PL1SE DON'T LET X 2 "S /UPID ADV]-
TISE;T10 ,I SAY \ L\D Z ,I OP5 ! MY/]Y
LR F/4

,DE> ,MIA1
  ,WELCOME 6! ,SYNES!SIA MAIL+ LI/6 ,MY
"N IS ,ADAM ,DICKSON4 ,I'M F\RTE5 & 9
N9? GRADE4 ,I LIVE 9 ,BO/ON1 & ,I H COL-
OR$ HE>+ & COLOR$ NUMB]S & LRS 7L Y7 &
,I AL H COLOR$ TA/E B ONLY A LL4 ,IF Y
WANT 6TALK AB ?+S1 ;E-MAIL ME BACK4 ,OH1
,I L ! \TDOORS TOO1 & ,I AL L 6WRITE PO-
ETRY1 EV5 ?\< ,I DON'T TELL ANY ( MY FRS
T4 ,S IF WE 2COME FRS1 Y'LL H 6=GET ,I
TOLD Y4 ,WRITE BACK SOON4
    ,F1 ,ADAM
,P4,S4 ,D Y H YR [N -PUT]8 ,I D4

                                    #ADA
  8,:AT >E Y GR9N+ AT80 ,ZACK ASKS Z HE
WALKS IN4 ,8 HAIR IS /ICK+ /RAI<T UP1 &
HE HAS TOO?PA/E >.D 8 M\?4
  8,NO?+10 ,I ANSW] HAPPILY4
  ,ZACK L1NS OV] ME & PEEKS AT ! SCRE5
2F ,I H A *.E 6COV] X4 8,:O'S ,ADAM80 HE
ASKS4 8,YR .BOYFR80
  8,GET \1 ,ZACK4 ,I'M BUSY40
  8,NO WAY4 ,X'S MY TURN 6USE ! -PUT]4
,Y HO7$ X ALL LA/ NI<T40
  8,ISN'T "! A VIOL5T C>TOON Y C G WAT*
OR "S?+80
  8,I'M TOO OLD = C>TOONS40
  8,S9CE :580
  8,S9CE "R N[40
  ,I'M 9 TOO GD A MOOD 6>GUE ANYMORE1 S
,I TELL HM HE C USE X 9 T5 M9UTES4 ,HE
GRUDG+LY AGREES1 & ,I'M AL"O AG ) MY
BLANK REPLY SCRE54 ,"! >E S _M ?+S ,I
WANT 6ASK ,ADAM1 B ,I DON'T WANT 6OV]-
:ELM HM4

,DE> ,ADAM1
  ,?ANKS =! WELCOME4 ,I H 6%>E ! -PUT] )
MY :OLE FAMILY4 ,X'S A BUMM]1 ,I    #ADB
"K4 ,I'VE ONLY J LE>N$ T MY COLORS DON'T
M1N ,I'M CRAZY & T ,I DON'T H "S AW;L
41SE4 ,I'M LE>N+ M AB X F ,DR4 ,J]RY
,WEISS AT ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,*ICAGO1 & X'S
K9DA COOL4 ,:5 Y SAY Y H COLOR$ TA/E1
DOES T M1N T BRO3OLI TA/ES L 7= EXAMPLE7
! COLOR BLUE8 ,OR DOES ! COLOR BLUE TA/E
L BRO3OLI8 ,W/,B/,S 7WRITE BACK SOON74
    ,F1 ,MIA
,P4,S4 ,? IS ! F/ ;E-MAIL ,I'VE "E S5T
  6A BOY4
,P4,P4,S4 ,I WON'T TELL ANY"O AB ! POET-
  RY4

  ,I S5D (F ! LR 2F ,I LOSE MY N]VE4
,X'S S M* EASI] 6TALK 6P OV] ;E-MAIL ?AN
X IS 9 P]SON4 ,I FEEL L ,I MADE A NEW
FR1 & ,I N"E EV5 LEFT ! H\SE6 ,:5 ,GR&PA
0 ALIVE HE _H A LI/ ( L FIFTY P5 PALS HE
MET ON-L9E & ;E-MAIL$ REGUL>LY4 ,HE MET
!M 9 DI6]5T *AT ROOMS1 OR ON C>D-PLAY+
,WEB SITES4 ,HE TOLD ME ONCE T 8Y\? IS
WA/$ ON ! "Y0 & SD X 0 A %AME T O!R P 8
AGE _H A FE> ( -PUT]S4 ,:5 HE DI$ MY "F
_H 6S5D AN ;E-MAIL 6ALL ( ,GR&-     #ADC
PA'S P5 PALS & TELL !M ! NEWS4 ,I ?9K "S
(! P / WRITE 6MY DAD4 ,I'M AB 6OP5 ,J5-
NA'S LR1 :5 ,ZACK RETURNS & DEM&S 8
TURN4 ,I LOG (F & L1VE HM 6:AT"E MIS*IEF
HE HAS PLANN$4 ,ONCE1 WE GOT S5T A
MON?'S SUPPLY ( NA*O-*EESE-FLAVOR$
CRACK]S 2C ( "S SURVEY ,ZACK FILL$ \ ON
! ,WEB4 ,!Y W]5'T HALF BAD EI4
  ,I G UP 6MY ROOM & TRY 6PA9T1 B MY M9D
KEEPS W&]+4 ,MIX+ ! PA9T ON MY PALETTE
ONLY MAKES ME ?9K ( MY COLOR$ LRS1 :
MAKE ME ?9K ( ,J]RY1 : MAKES ME ?9K ( MY
NEW FR1 ,ADAM1 : MAKES ME WANT 6*ECK !
-PUT] AG4 ,I =CE MYF 6"W ON MY ..,"L (!
.,FLIES BOOK REPORT4 ,-P>$ 6! CRUEL KIDS
9 ! BOOK1 MY CLASSMATES SU45LY DON'T
SEEM S BAD4
  ,I DECIDE 6GET "S FRE% AIR4 ,MANGO M/
2 (F HID+ "SPLACE AG1 & ? "T ,I DON'T
FEEL L SE>*+ = HM4 ,X'S A CRISP1 COOL
"D1 EXACTLY Z X %D 2 =! 2G9N+ ( ,OCTOB]4
,"!'S N A H9T ( RA9 9 ! AIR1 & "S"O 9 !
VALLEY M/ H _! FIREPLACE GO+1 2C ,I C
SMELL X4 ,MY ,WILD ,* 9/9CTS TAKE OV]1 &
,I RUN ACR ! LAWN & JUMP 96A PILE   #ADD
( L1VES T MY DAD J F9I%$ RAK+4
  8,]ROO[WW60 "S?+ SCR1MS 2N ME1 & ,I
HURRY 6MY FEET1 SLIPP+ ON ! L1VES4 ,I
W9D UP BACK ON ! GR.D1 L&+ H>D ON MY
BUTT4 ,I WAT* ! PILE ( L1VES QUIV] &
%AKE1 & \ WALKS ,MANGO1 8 FUR BRI/L+ F
2+ SAT ON4 ,WE />E AT EA* O!R =A M9UTE1
& !N ,I G5TLY WRE/LE HM 6! GR.D4 ,:5 HE
0 A KITT5 HE US$ 6LOVE PRET5D+ HE 0 A
DOG4 ,WE'D ROLL >.D TGR1 & HE'D SQU1K &
ME[ & !N WAIT = M4 ,AF A FEW M9UTES ,I
LIE ON MY BACK1 & ,MANGO DRAPES HMF ACR
MY *E/ & />TS PURR+ L\DLY4 ,FALL 0 ,GR&-
PA'S FAVORITE S1SON4 ,MAYBE T'S :Y ,MAN-
GO'S PURR+ S 3T5T$LY4 ,I />E UP AT ! B"R
BLUE SKY & WOND] :AT ,ADAM LOOKS L4 ,I
WOND] IF HE WOND]S :AT .,I LOOK L4 ,X
DAWNS ON ME T HE CD 2 AN OLD MAN J PRE-
T5D+ 6BE A F\RTE5-YE>-OLD KID4 ,N[ ,I'M
N]V\S & DECIDE 6G BACK 9 & WRITE 6HM AG4
,MANGO FOLL[S ME 9 ! KIT*5 DOOR1 B ,I
LOSE HM 6! FOOD DI%4 ,ZACK IS G"O4 ,I
LOG ON4

                                    #ADE
,DE> ,ADAM1
  ,H[ D ,I "K Y'RE N AN OLD MAN PRET5D+
6BE A F\RTE5-YE>-OLD KID8 ,I'M GO+ 6NE$
PRO(4
    ,F1 ,MIA
,P4,S4 ,:AT COLOR IS MY "N 6Y8 ,YRS IS
  PALE YELL[ L ! 9SIDE (A GRAPEFRUIT 7N
  ! P9K K9D7 )A TEXTURE K9D ( L GRAPE-
  FRUIT TOO1 B ! \TSIDE4

  ,N[1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I CD SIT "H ALL "D &
WAIT =A LR BACK4 ,T WD 2 A LL TOO PA!T-
IC4 ,B ,I DON'T SEE ANY?+ WR;G ) *ECK+ E
H\R4 ,OR E HALF H\R EV54 ,S ,I MANAGE TO
O3UPY MYF =! NEXT HALF H\R4 ,I D ?REE
MA? PRO#MS 7PROBABLY 9CORRECTLY7 & EAT A
B[L ( C]1L4 ,:5 A HALF H\R HAS PASS$1 ,I
LOG ON AG ONLY 6F9D ! LRS F ,J5NA &
,KIMB]LY T ,I _HN'T R1D 2F4 ,I / DON'T
FEEL L R1D+ !M4
  ,HALF AN H\R LAT]4 ,NO?+4
  ,MOM F9DS ME & MAKES ME HELP H] CL1N \
! PANTRY4
  ,AN H\R &A HALF LAT]4 ,/ NO?+4 ,I R1D
,J5NA'S LRS4 ,!Y TELL ME ALL !      #ADF
SAME /UFF %E ALR TOLD ME LA/ WEEK4
  ,I HELP ,DAD WA% ! HELICOPT]4 ,HE LETS
,ZACK & ME SIT 9 X :5 WE'RE D"O4 ,ZACK
/RAPS HMF 96! PILOT'S S1T & LOOKS OV] !
GAUGES Z IF HE "KS :AT HE'S DO+4 ,HE
ASKS ,DAD :5 HE C />T FLY+ LESSONS1 &
,DAD TELLS HM HE C TAKE LESSONS :5 HE'S
SEV5TE54 ,ZACK 9 ! SKY IS A V SC>Y ?"\4
,:ILE ,ZACK IS BUSY+ HMF 0MAK+ .VROOM1
.VROOM NOISES1 ,DAD MO;NS = ME 6/EP BACK
\TSIDE4 ,HE TUGS AT ! COLL> ( 8 FLANNEL
%IRT4 ,IF ,I DIDN'T "K BETT]1 ,I'D SWE>
HE 0 N]V\S4
  8,IS "EY?+ OKAY1 ,DAD80
  8,I 0 GO+ 6ASK Y T V "Q40
  8,I'M F9E10 ,I SAY QKLY4 8,:Y80
  8,D Y REMEMB] A FEW SUMM]S AGO WE S5T
Y 6T "D CAMP ": ! SWIMM+ 9/RUCTOR WDN'T
LET Y ADV.E F TADPOLE 6GUPPY80 ,I NOD &
WOND] IF MY "F'S BE5 \ 9 ! SUN TOO L;G4
  8,D Y REMEMB] :AT ,I DID AB X80
  8,Y M>*$ D[N "! & GOT ME 96GUPPY80
  8,"R4 ,EXACTLY40
  ,HE L1NS CASU,Y AG/ ! *OPP] ) "O H&1 &
,I WAIT = HM 63T9UE4 ,:5 HE         #ADG
DOESN'T1 ,I ASK1 8,S :AT'S YR PO9T80
  8,MY PO9T10 HE SAYS1 8IS SIMPLY T ,I'M
"H = Y4 ,IF Y NE$ ME40
  8,?ANKS1 ,DAD4 ,I'LL KEEP T 9 M9D40 ,I
DECIDE N 6TELL HM T ,I 5D$ UP 2+ S5T
BACK 6TADPOLE AF ALM DR[N+ ANO!R CAMP]
:ILE ,I FLAIL$ >.D 9 ! DEEP 5D4
  ,TWO H\RS LAT] "!'S / NO ;E-MAIL F
,ADAM4 ,I'M TRY+ N 6BE 4C\RAG$4 ,I HOPE
MY LA/ LR DIDN'T SC>E HM (F4 ,UN.S HE
.WASN'T :O HE SD HE 0 AF ALL4 ,I F9,Y
R1D ,KIMB]LY'S LR4 ,%E HAS A CRU% ON "S
GUY 9 H] GYM CLASS4 ,HE'S ONLY 9 ! SEV5?
GRADE1 B %E SAYS HE LOOKS M* OLD]4 ,%E
ASKS ME N 6TELL ANY"O4 ,I C SEE T %E =-
W>D$ ! SAME LR 6,MOLLY1 ,J5NA1 & ,S>A1 S
:O ELSE IS "! 6TELL8
  ,AF D9N] ,I SIT D[N "O LA/ "T 9 FRONT
(! -PUT]4 ,I TRY S5D+ \ GD VIBES Z ! MO-
DEM DIALS4 ,MAYBE ,I C ASK ,BE? 6CA/ A
SPELL ON ,ADAM 6MAKE HM WRITE BACK4 ,I
M/ RE,Y 2 GETT+ DESP]ATE4
  ,! VIBES M/ H "W$1 2C "! >E ?REE LRS F
HM4 ,?REE6
  ,LR NUMB] "O3                     #ADH

,DE> ,MIA1
  ,Y'RE FUNNY4 ,I N"E ?"\ ,I 0 CRAZY1 2C
MY MOM HAS COLOR$ HE>+ TOO4 ,I HATE
BRO3OLI1 S ,I N"E EAT X4 ,LET'S TAKE
*OCOLATE4 ,IF ,I'M EAT+ A PIECE ( *OCO-
LATE1 ,I'LL SEE A RECTANGUL> PAT* ( P9K
)A GRE5 /RIPE AT ! BOTTOM4 ,X J APPE>S 9
FRONT ( ME & K9D ( LOOKS L A FLAG WAV+ 9
! BREEZE4 ,IF X'S D>K *OCOLATE1 ! P9K W
2 ALM R$4 ,? ONLY HAPP5S )A FEW K9DS (
FOOD1 0! WAY4 ,! IMAGE FADES Z ,I KEEP
EAT+ ?\<4 ,PRETTY WILD /UFF4 ,WE SYNES-
!TES H 6/ICK TGR--WE'RE ! ONLY "OS :O
RE,Y "U/& EA* O!R4 ,0! WAY1 ,I'VE MET
,J]RY 2F4 ,HE'S NICE4
  ,I PROMISE ,I'M N AN OLD MAN OR EV5 A
MAN YET4 ,I GUESS ,I'M A "Y MAN1 S9CE :5
MY MOM IS MAD AT ME %E ALW GOES1 8,/OP
T1 "Y MAN60 ,9 FACT1 %E SD T LA/ NI<T :5
,I MISS$ CURFEW =! ZILLION? "T4
    --,ADAM

  ,HE M/ H A M* M EXCIT+ LIFE ?AN ,I D
IF HE MISSES CURFEW T (T54 ,I ?9K   #ADI
,MOM WD H A FEW M *OICE ^WS = ME IF ,I
DID T4
  ,LR NUMB] TWO3

,DE> ,MIA1
  ,:AT D Y LOOK L8 ,DON'T TAKE T ! WR;G
WAY4 ,I J ?"\ X WD 2 EASI] IF ,I CD PIC-
TURE Y4 ,X DOESN'T MATT]4 ,OH1 N"E M9D1
=GET X4 ,I'M GO+ 6DELETE ? LETT--

  ,LR NUMB] ?REE3

,DE> ,MIA1
  ,I M1NT 6DELETE T LA/ LR4 ,PRESS$ !
WR;G BUTTON4 ,><4 ,RE,Y1 X DOESN'T MATT]
:AT Y LOOK L4 ,B1 OKAY1 ,I'LL TELL Y AB
ME4 ,I'M ,MR4 ,JOE ,AV]AGE4 ,AV]AGE
HEI<T1 AV]AGE WEI<T1 BR[N EYES1 & CURLY
D>K HAIR T LOOKS RE,Y BAD :5 ,I WAKE UP
9 ! MORN+4 ,B Y C PICTURE ME ANY WAY Y
WANT4 ,N T ,I'LL D T 6Y4 ,OH1 N"E M9D6
    ,F1 ,ADAM 7:O DOESN'T USU,Y S.D ?
    /UPID7

                                    #AEJ
  ,I'M ALL JITT]Y & WOND] IF ? IS :AT
,KIMB]LY FEELS L E "T %E GETS A CRU% ON
A NEW BOY4 ,N T ,I H A CRU% ON ,ADAM4 ,I
M1N1 ,I DON'T EV5 "K HM6 ,B ,I'VE N"E _H
A BOY S5D ME ;E-MAIL 2F4 ,I TWI/ MY H1D
6MAKE SURE ! DOOR 6,MOM'S (FICE IS
CLOS$1 & !N ,I />T TYP+4

,DE> ,ADAM 7:O DOESN'T S.D /UPID71
  ,": D ,I />T8 ,T FOOD/COLOR ?+ S.DS
RE,Y COOL4 ,I'M J1L\S6 ,MAYBE ,I'LL KEEP
EAT+ *OCOLATE UNTIL ,I />T SEE+ ?+S TOO6
,J S Y C PICTURE ME1 ,I AL H BR[N HAIR
--X'S WAVY & K9DA MESSY "S"TS1 6BE H"O/4
,MY EYES >E GRE54 ,I'M ON ! %ORT SIDE4
,MY GR&"F ONCE SD ,I 0 S SK9NY ,I CD FIT
2T ! RA9DROPS4 ,B T 0 A L;G "T AGO4 ,D Y
"E WI% Y 7 NORMAL8 ,I'M FAIL+ S*OOL6
,WELL1 N ALL ( X1 B 5\<6
    ,F1 ,MIA 7,P4,S4 ,D Y ?9K ,J]RY
    LOOKS L A "Y ,PAUL ,NEWMAN8 ,MY MOM
    DOES67

  ,I'M %UTT+ D[N ! -PUT] =! NI<T1 :5
,MOM WALKS 9 ) H] /]N-MOM FACE      #AEA
ON4
  8,:AT DID T BOY ,ROG] WANT LA/ NI<T80
%E ASKS4
  8,HE'S 9 MY GR\P = T HI/ORY PROJECT10
,I SAY1 HOP+ T W SATISFY H]4 ,I TRY TO
L1VE ! ROOM1 B %E DOESN'T MOVE F ! DOOR4
  8,EXACTLY : HI/ORY PROJECT IS T80 %E
ASKS1 PURS+ H] LIPS4
  8,I TOLD Y AB X10 ,I 9SI/4 8,Y "K1 !
"O AB AN EV5T 9 ,AM]ICAN HI/ORY T ,AM]I-
CANS >E A%AM$ ( N[80
  ,%E %AKES H] H1D4
  8,! "O T'S HALF \R GRADE80
  ,%E %AKES H] H1D AG4
  8,OH10 ,I SAY4 8,HUH4 ,WELL1 T'S !
PROJECT4 ',NI<T0
  8,N S FA/10 %E SAYS1 /ICK+ H] >M \ 9
FRONT ( ME4 8,Y'VE BE5 V 4TRACT$ LATELY4
,"S"TS ,I WORRY ! RO( CD FALL ON Y & Y
WDN'T EV5 NOTICE4 ,YR MA? TUTOR -ES 9 A
FEW "DS1 & Y NE$ 6BE R1DY4 ,MAYBE WE %D
TRY 6F9D A DOCTOR :O C CLE> ? UP FA/]40
  ,I LOOK AT H] 9 HORROR4 ,I CDN'T POS-
SIBLY SEE ANY M DOCTORS4 ,ESPECI,Y "O :O
WD 8CLE> ? UP40                     #AEB
  8,T BOY ,ROG] S.D$ PRETTY 3C]N$ ON !
PH"O10 %E 3T9UES4 8,I HOPE Y'RE N PLAY+
>.D )! -PUT] 9/1D (--0
  8,MOM10 ,I 9T]RUPT1 8,I'VE GOT X ALL
"U 3TROL4 ,DON'T WORRY40 ,I PU% MY WAY
PA/ H] & H1D UP 6MY ROOM4 ,I REP1T ? TO
MYF Z ,I CLIMB ! /AIRS4 ..,"U 3TROL4 ,"U
.3TROL4 ,I PULL MY >T PROJECT \ F !
CLOSET & />E AT X4 ,K>5 SD X %[$ A GD
"U/&+ ( ,K&9SKY'S /YLE1 B T ,I W5T OV]-
BO>D 9 -POSI;N4 ,ALL ,I DID 0 PA9T :AT
,I SAW4 ,I /ICK X BACK 9 ! CLOSET & F9D
MYF WOND]+ :AT ,ADAM WD ?9K ( X4 ,I OP5
MY MA? BOOK & !N %UT X AG4 ,I WOND] IF
,ADAM LIKES MA?4

  ,9 ! MORN+1 ,ZACK1 ,J5NA1 & ,I %IV] Z
WE WAIT =! S*OOL BUS4
  8,I HE>D "!'S A NEW DRIV] ? WEEK10
,ZACK ANN\NCES4
  8,GRT10 ,J5NA MOANS4 8,! LA/ "T WE _H
A NEW DRIV]1 WE DIDN'T GET 6S*OOL UNTIL
SECOND P]IOD40
  8,& T 0 A BAD ?+80 ,I ASK4
  8,0! WAY1 ,MIA10 ,J5NA SAYS1      #AEC
RU2+ H] H&S TGR = W>M?4 8,Y 7 SUPPOS$ TO
CALL ME YE/]"D4 ,I ?"\ WE _H A0--%E
GL.ES AT ,ZACK & L[]S H] VOICE 6A :ISP]
--8A ,,PIC MIS.N40
  ,I :ISP] BACK1 8,WE DID80
  ,%E PULLS ME ASIDE4 8,! LOVE PO;N80 %E
PROMPTS1 !N ROLLS H] EYES :5 %E SEES ,I
H NO IDEA :AT %E'S TALK+ AB4
  8,WE 7 GO+ 6TAKE "S ( YR SI/]'S MAGIC
/UFF & MAKE A LOVE PO;N = ,KIMB]LY60
  8,= T SEV5?-GRAD] %E LIKES80 ,I ASK4
8,I J R1D H] ;E-MAIL AB T ? WEEK5D40
  8,WE'VE BE5 TALK+ AB X AT LUN* ALL
WEEK4 ,HAV5'T Y BE5 LI/5+80 ,I'M AB 6>-
GUE T ,I DID LI/51 B WE BO? "K X WD 2 A
LIE4
  8,WE'LL D X TN1 OKAY80 ,I PROMISE H]1
EV5 ?\< ,I _H BE5 PLANN+ ON TRY+ \ !
MUSIC-IN-!-BA?TUB EXP]I;T4 ,B ,I DON'T
WANT ,J5NA 6BE ANY ANGRI] ) ME4
  8,I GUESS S10 %E MUTT]S4 ,B Y'RE ! "O
:O HAS 6TELL ,KIMB]LY :Y WE DON'T H X40
  ,0! "T ! BUS F9,Y LUR*ES 6\R /OP1 ,I'M
M ?AN HAPPY 6GET ON X4
                                    #AED
  ,J Z ,I BR1K ! NEWS 6,KIMB]LY AT LUN*1
,I FEEL A H>D TAP ON MY %\LD]4 ,I TURN
>.D 6SEE ,ROG]4 ,HE DOESN'T LOOK HAPPY4
  8,YES80 ,I SAY4 ,! RE/ ( MY TA# IS
WAT*+1 EXCEPT = ,S>A1 :O KEEPS H] NOSE
BURI$ 9 A BOOK Z USUAL4
  8,WE'RE SUPPOS$ 6BE HAV+ LUN* TGR10 HE
SAYS1 SMIL+ "? GRITT$ TEE?4 ,KIMB]LY
:I/LES & ,ROG]'S FACE R$D5S4
  8,! HI/ORY PROJECT10 HE SAYS1 8,REMEM-
B]80
  ,I ?9K =A M9UTE4 8,I REMEMB] "! 0 "S?+
,I =GOT4 ,DOES T C.T80
  ,HE DOESN'T LOOK AMUS$4 8,C WE PL1SE G
"W ON ? N[80 ,HE GE/URES 6A TA# 9 ! LA/
R[ (! CAFET]IA4 8,"EY"O ELSE IS WAIT+ =
Y40 ,HE TURNS & SORT ( %U6LES AWAY4 ,I
REMEMB] HE HURT 8 ANKLE 9 GYM CLASS LA/
MON?4 ,SEE8 ,I DON'T =GET "EY?+4
  8,I ?9K HE'S RE,Y MAD AT Y10 ,J5NA
SAYS4
  8,GEE1 H[ CD Y TELL80 ,I ASK4
  8,EV5 ! TIPS ( 8 E>S 7 R$10 %E RE-
PLIES4 8,W]E Y J GO+ 6BL[ HM (F80 ,I "K
%E WANTS 6ADD 8,L Y BLEW ME (F      #AEE
YE/]"D80
  ,I TOSS MY HALF-EAT5 S&WI* 96MY LUN*
BAG & FEEL MYF />T+ 6GET ANGRY4 8,S :AT
IF ,I WAS80
  ,S>A LIFTS H] H1D F H] BOOK4 8,T'S
PRETTY IRRESPONSI#1 ,MIA10 %E SAYS4
  8,GRT10 ,I SAY1 PU%+ MY *AIR BACK F !
TA#4 8,I DIDN'T ?9K ANY ( Y WD "U/& :AT
,I'M GO+ "?4 ,I'M SORRY IF S*OOL"W ISN'T
MY F/ PRIOR;Y "R N[4 ,OR EV5 MY SECOND40
  ,I GRAB MY /UFF & H1D T[>D ,ROG]'S TA-
#1 B N 2F ,I HE> ,KIMB]LY ASK ,J5NA :AT
MY PRO#M IS4 ,L .,I'M ! "O )! PRO#M4
  ,I SIT D[N ) MY GR\P & GIVE !M A HALF-
HE>T$ SMILE4 ,NOBODY SMILES BACK1 B AT
L1/ ,ROG] NODS 9 MY DIREC;N4 ,JONAH &
,LAURA >E 9 ! MI4LE ( AN >GU;T4 ,I SIP
MY *OCOLATE MILK & LI/54
  8,I J DON'T ?9K DROPP+ ! ATOM BOMB
QUALIFIES4 ,X 0 A W>1 AF ALL10 ,JONAH
SAYS1 PU%+ 8 L;G HAIR AWAY F 8 EYES4 ,8
HAIR IS S L;G HE CD BRAID X L A GIRL'S4
8,PLUS1 2SS SLAV]Y1 "EY"O'S GO+ 6*OOSE
X40
  8,S :AT'S WR;G ) "S?+ OBVI\S80    #AEF
,LAURA RESPONDS1 AF SWALL[+ A HUGE =K;L
( *OCOLATE CAKE4 ,I C SEE X /UCK 9 H]
BRACES F ": ,I'M SITT+4 8,X WD MAKE !
RESE>* EASI]1 "R80
  8,I WANT \R PROJECT 6BE UNIQUE10 ,JO-
NAH SAYS4 8,WE'LL GET A BETT] GRADE T
WAY4 ,H[ AB ! ,ROS5B]GS80
  8,:O80 ,LAURA ASKS4 ,I DON'T "K :O !Y
>E EI4
  8,IN ! #AIEJ'S ! GOV]N;T A3US$ !M ( 2+
SPIES & EXECUT$ !M10 ,JONAH SAYS1 8 HAIR
SW++ >.D HM Z HE SP1KS EXCIT$LY4 8,X 0 !
F/ "T A M>RI$ C\PLE _H BE5 EXECUT$4 ,AL
"S?+ AB ! F/ "T ,AM]ICAN CITIZ5S 7 EXE-
CUT$ = SPY+ 9 P1CE"T4 ,X 0 V 3TROV]-
SIAL40
  8,W]E !Y RE,Y SPIES80 ASKS ,LAURA4
  8,X'S POSSI# !Y 7 FRAM$10 ,JONAH RE-
PLIES4 8,I ?9K ! GOV]N;T 0 TRY+ 6MAKE AN
EXAMPLE \ ( !M4 ,X CD 2 ! P]FECT PROJ-
ECT40
  8,WAIT10 ,ROG] SAYS EAG]LY4 8,I "K :AT
WE C D4 ,S DOES ,MIA40
  ,I ALM *OKE ON MY MILK4 8,I D80
  8,REMEMB] 9 FIF? GRADE Y DID T    #AEG
MODEL (A SLAVE %IP = >T CLASS80
  8,ROG]1 WE ALR DECID$ AG/ SLAV]Y10
,JONAH SAYS4 8,:AT'S WR;G )! ,ROS5B]GS80
  8,NO?+'S WR;G ) !M10 ,ROG] REPLIES QK-
LY4 8,B ? IS A SLAV]Y /ORY T ,I DON'T
?9K _M P "K AB40
  8,NO "O ELSE "H KNEW ANY?+ AB ! ,ROS5-
B]GS10 ,JONAH MUTT]S 96HIS SODA4
  8,Y REMEMB] MY SLAVE %IP AF ALL ? "T80
,I ASK4
  ,ROG] %RUGS4 8,I ?"\ X 0 RE,Y GD4 ,X
FLOAT$ & "EY?+40
  ,I SMILE AT ! MEMORY4 8,ONLY = AB T5
SECONDS4 ,!N X FELL A"P1 &! PAPI] M@A*@E
CLO7$ UP ! DRA9 9 ! >TROOM S9K =A MON?40
  8,:AT'S S UNIQUE AB A SLAVE %IP80
,LAURA ASKS4 ,I'M TEMPT$ 6TELL H] AB !
CAKE 9 H] BRACES4
  8,? IS A "PICUL> SLAVE %IP10 ,ROG] AN-
SW]S IMPATI5TLY4 8,\R >T T1*] TOLD U AB
X4 ,REMEMB]1 ,MIA80
  ,I DID REMEMB]1 :AT ) HI/ORY 2+ MY BE/
SUBJECT & ALL4 ,I SIT UP /RAI<T] N[ T
"EY"O IS EXPECT+ "S?+ F ME4 8,%E TOLD U
AB ? SLAVE %IP FULL ( P F ,WE/      #AEH
,AFRICA4 ,!Y CALL$ !MVS ,8,IBOS40'0 ,I
PAUSE =A SECOND1 PICTUR+ ! COLORS ASSO-
CIAT$ )! DATE4 ,I TRANSLATE !M BACK 9TO
NUMB]S & -E UP ) 8,! %IP L&$ 9 ,AM]ICA 9
#AHJC1 &! P ON BO>D DECID$ !Y WD R DIE
?AN 2COME SLAVES4 ,S !Y SANG A HYMN &
M>*$ "R 96! WAT]4 ,MO/ ( !M DR[N$1 &!
SLAVE TRAD]S 7 RE,Y MAD40
  8,S :AT D Y ?9K80 ,ROG] ASKS1 EYE+
"EY"O 9 TURN4
  ,JONAH IS ! F/ 6SP1K4 8,H[ -E WE
HAV5'T HE>D AB ? 2F80
  ,ROG] %RUGS4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,MAYBE Y
HAV5'T _H ! "R T1*]S40
  8,I ?9K X'S P]FECT10 ,LAURA SAYS1 /A2+
H] PLA/IC =K 96! LA/ *UNK ( CAKE4
  8,LET'S D X40 ,JONAH SAYS4
  ,ROG] B1MS AT ME Z IF X 7 ALL MY IDEA4
,ALL ,I DID 0 REMEMB] ! /ORY4 8,OKAY
!N10 HE SAYS1 CRUMPL+ UP 8 EMPTY LUN*
BAG4 8,WE C MEET NEXT WEEK AT MY H\SE TO
DIVIDE UP ! "W4 ,ANY "D EXCEPT ,W$NES"D
--T'S :5 ,I H ACUPUNCTURE ON MY ANKLE40
  ,I IMMLY ?9K (! WOMAN ,I R1D AB ON !
,WEB SITE4 ,%E MADE ACUPUNCTURE     #AEI
S.D S AMAZ+4 ,%E SD T 2C ( H] SYNES!SIA1
H] S5SES J CAME ALIVE4 ,MAYBE T CD HAPP5
= ME4 ,WE DECIDE 6MEET AT ,ROG]'S H\SE
AF S*OOL ON ,TUES"D4 ,I'LL H 6GET ,BE?
6PICK ME UP4 ,I'M SURE %E'LL 2 ?RILL$4
,LAURA & ,JONAH />T >GU+ AB H[ 6SPLIT UP
! PROJECT1 S ,I DECIDE 6ASK ,ROG] A FEW
"QS4
  8,DOES X HURT80 ,I ASK4 8,DON'T !Y
/ICK L;G NE$LES 9 Y80
  8,N ONLY D !Y /ICK !M IN10 HE SAYS1 8B
"S"TS !Y TWI/ !M >.D OR ATTA* AN ELEC-
TRICAL CURR5T 6! 5DS ( !M4 ,X'S A LL UN-
-=TA#1 B X DOESN'T RE,Y HURT4 ,:Y80
  ,! GE>S >E TURN+ 9 MY BRA94 ,IF X
DIDN'T RE,Y HURT1 !N MAYBE ,I %D TRY X4
,ALL 9 ! "N ( RESE>*1 "R8 ,IF ,I CD SEE
EV5 A BIT ( :AT T WOMAN SAW1 ,I CD C>RY
T IMAGE ) ME ="E1 & ,I BET MY PA9T+S WD
2 AMAZ+4
  ,I HE> ,ROG] CALL+ MY "N1 B X S.DS F>
AWAY4 ,ALL ,I C ?9K ( >E ^? COLORS !
WOMAN DESCRIB$4
  8,MIA60 ,ROG] SAYS L\DLY1 WAV+ 8 H&S 9
FRONT ( MY FACE4 8,I ASK$ Y A       #AFJ
"Q40
  ,J !N ! BELL R+S = NEXT P]IOD4 ,I TOSS
MY PAP] BAG 9 ! TRA% & R1LIZE ,ROG] IS /
/&+ "!4
  8,YES80
  8,I ASK$ :Y Y WANT$ 6"K AB ! ACUPUNC-
TURE40
  8,NO R1SON10 ,I TELL HM1 MAK+ A M5TAL
NOTE 6-E UP )A GD R1SON TN4
  8,OKAY10 HE SAYS1 SL++ 8 BOOK BAG OV]
8 %\LD] & LOOK+ AWAY F ME4 8,SEE Y LAT]
!N40 ,)\T WAIT+ =A RESPONSE1 HE HOB#S \
(! CAFET]IA4 ,I WALK 6MA? CLASS AL"O1
WI%+ ! "D 7 ALR OV]4 ,I >RIVE 6F9D A
CR[D /&+ 9 FRONT (! BLACKBO>D %AK+ _!
H1DS4 ,! ^WS .,SURPRISE .,QUIZ .,TD >E
WRITT5 9 HUGE LRS4 ,! T1*] -ES 9 & AN-
N\NCES WE H TWO M9UTES 6REVIEW ! BASIC
ALGEBRA =MULAS F LA/ WEEK4
  ,MY F/ 9/9CT IS 6HIDE 9 ! BA?ROOM1 B
!N ,I'D DEF9ITELY FAIL4 ,IF ,I TAKE !
QUIZ1 !N ,I MAY 2 A# 6SQUEEZE 0)A ;,D4
,I HURRY 6MY DESK & FL+ OP5 MY MA? BOOK4
,MEMORIZ+ ! =MULAS 0 ! "O ?+ ,I TOT,Y CD
H D"O IF ONLY ,I'D PD ATT5;N4 ,I    #AFA
R1* 96MY BOOK BAG =A P5CIL1 & MY F+]S
FALL ON ! ,MAGIC ,M>K]S ,I USE 9 >T
CLASS4 ,I PULL !M \1 & AN IDEA =MS 9 MY
H1D4 ,I'VE N"E *1T$ ON ANY?+ 2F1 B ,I
C'T FAIL ANO!R MA? TE/4 ,X WD 2 TOO HU-
MILIAT+4 ,& SUMM] S*OOL WD 2 TOO HORRI#
= ^WS4 ,I ONLY H A M9UTE LEFT N[1 S ,I
QKLY PULL (F ! CAPS ON ! M>K]S & />T
DRAW+ A RA9B[ ON MY J1NS4 ,ONLY X'S N
RE,Y A RA9B[4 ,! COLORS /& =! LRS 9 !
EQU,NS4 ,M>OON IS ;X1 GRAY IS ;Y1 & LI<T
BLUE IS ;Z4 ,YELL[ IS ;A1 BR[N IS ;B1 &
R$ IS ;C4 ,T %D D X4 ,ALL ,I H 6D IS PUT
! COLORS 9 ! "R ORD]1 & ,I C TELL AT A
GL.E :AT ! =MULA IS4
  ,TW5TY M9UTES LAT] ! %ORT QUIZ IS OV]1
&! T1*] GRADES !M AT H] DESK4 ,WE'RE
SUPPOS$ 6BE R1D+ AH1D 9 \R MA? BOOKS1 B
,I C'T HELP SN1K+ GL.ES AT H]4 ,:5 %E'S
D"O1 %E /&S UP & PASSES !M BACK 6U4
  8,EXCELL5T1 ,MIA10 %E SAYS1 PLAC+ MY
PAP] LI<TLY ON MY DESK4 ,%E PAUSES =A
SECOND 2F MOV+ ON 6! BOY 2H ME4
  ,I F9,Y GOT MY BIG1 B1UTI;L SUNFL[]-
YELL[ ;,A4 ,I'M S PR\D ( MYF T ,I   #AFB
=GET 6BE A%AM$4























              ,*APT] ,N9E           #AFC

  8,C'MON1 ,BE?1 O!R P H 6USE ! BA?ROOM
TOO4 ,IF WE MISS ! BUS1 Y'LL H 6DRIVE U
6S*OOL40 ,I'M BANG+ ON ! BA?ROOM DOOR
:ILE ,ZACK L1NS LI/.SLY AG/ ! WALL NEXT
6ME4 8,Y'VE BE5 9 "! = AN H\R40
  8,I'M %AV+60 %E YELLS \4 8,D Y WANT ME
6CUT MYF80
  8,D Y RE,Y WANT ME 6ANSW] T80 ,I RE-
PLY4
  ,A M9UTE LAT] ! DOOR OP5S1 & 2F ,I C
GET IN1 ,ZACK SU45LY SPR+S 6LIFE & B1TS
ME 6X4
  8,BETT] "W ON ^? REFLEXES10 ,BE? SAYS
Z %E WALKS PA/ ME1 H] HAIR WRAPP$ 9 A
T[EL4
  ,? IS "O ( ^? "TS :5 2+ AN ONLY * WD 2
RE,Y1 RE,Y GD4 ,"!'S NO WAY ,I'LL H "T
6%[] N[1 S ,I MI<T Z WELL *ECK IF ,ADAM
RESPOND$ 6MY ;E-MAIL AB ! ACUPUNCTURE4
,I ?R[ ON MY CLO!S & HURRY D[N/AIRS4

,DE> ,MIA1
  ,! ACUPUNCTURE S.DS GRT6 ,IF Y'RE
LOOK+ =A GD FAKE SYMPTOM1 ALL[ ME   #AFD
6SU7E/ AN E>A*E4 ,! ONLY ?+ ,I'VE "E D"O
6TRY 65H.E MY SYNES!SIA 0 6GET RE,Y
DRUNK ON E7NOG "O ,*RI/MAS4 ,I LE>N$ MY
LESSON1 ?\<1 :5 ALL ,I SAW =! NEXT FIVE
H\RS 0 ! 9SIDE (! TOILET B[L4 ,Y %D DEF-
9ITELY G1 NO MATT] :AT1 EV5 IF Y H 6SN1K
>.D 2H YR P>5TS' BACKS4 ,I C WRITE Y A
FAKE DOCTOR'S NOTE IF Y WANT4
    ,LEMME "K1
    ,ADAM

  ,! FAKE DOCTOR'S NOTE S.DS A BIT EX-
TREME1 B "!'S NO WAY MY P>5TS WD LET ME
G IF ,I ASK$4 ,I'M V LUCKY 6H ,ADAM TO
WRITE TO1 N ONLY 2C HE'S ! ONLY "O :O
"U/&S ME1 B 2C ,I SEEM 6BE FI<T+ ) "EY"O
9 MY FAMILY4 ,J YE/]"D ,ZACK DCLD ,I 0
ACT+ ALL SUP]IOR 2C ,I TOLD HM ,I 0 TOO
BUSY 6HELP HM /UDY = 8 VOCABUL>Y TE/4 ,I
TOLD HM T MAYBE1 J MAYBE1 MY BRA9 ACTU,Y
.0 M SUP]IOR ?AN 8 & T MY COLORS >E AN
ADV.E;T 9 EVOLU;N4 ,HE SD T M LIKELY
,I'M "S K9D (A ?R[BACK1 & N[ HE'S BE5
CALL+ ME ! ,MISS+ ,L9K4 ,I DON'T ?9K X'S
V FUNNY4                            #AFE
  8,MIA10 MY "M CALLS \ Z ,I'M L1V+ !
SMALL (FICE4 8,Y H A PH"O CALL40
  ,I QKLY DELETE ! LR1 RUN UP 6H] ROOM1
& TAKE ! PH"O4 8,X'S ,J]RY10 %E SAYS4 ,I
C'T IMAG9E :AT HE WANTS1 B ,I'M J RE-
LIEV$ X ISN'T MY MA? T1*] CALL+ 6A3USE
ME ( *1T+4 ,I SAY HELLO4
  8,HI1 ,MIA4 ,YR "M SD Y'RE AB 6L1VE =
S*OOL1 S ,I'LL MAKE ? FA/4 ,! FUND+ J
CAME "? 6BR+ A GR\P ( SYNES!TES TGR OV]
,?ANKSGIV+ WEEK5D =A FEW "DS ( -P>+
NOTES4 ,WE'LL H GR\P 4CUS.NS1 & BASIC,Y
Y'LL ALL GET 6LE>N F "O ANO!R4 ,Y'RE "O
(! LUCKY "OS1 S9CE Y LIVE ONLY A C\PLE (
H\RS F "H4 ,D Y ?9K Y'D L 6"PICIPATE80
  ,MY EYES WID54 8,DEF9ITELY60
  8,GD4 ,:Y DON'T Y PUT YR "M BACK ON !
PH"O1 & ,I'LL GIVE H] ! DETAILS80
  8,OKAY10 ,I SAY4 8,HEY1 C ,I BR+ "S"O
) ME :O MI<T 2 A SYNES!TE TOO8 ,8 "N'S
,BILLY ,H5KLE40
  8,( C\RSE4 ,H 8 P>5TS 3TACT ME40
  8,I DON'T RE,Y "K H[ 6R1* 8 P>5TS10 ,I
ADMIT4
  8,B Y "K 8 LA/ "N1 "R8 ,J LOOK    #AFF
9 ! PH"O BOOK40
  ,:AT ON E>? IS WR;G ) ME T ,I DIDN'T
?9K ( T 2F8 ,I FEEL L A HUGE IDIOT Z ,I
H& ! PH"O BACK 6MY "M4
  8,:O'S ,BILLY80 ,MOM ASKS1 HOLD+ H] H&
OV] ! M\?PIECE4
  8,I'LL TELL Y LAT]40
  8,I C'T KEEP TRACK ( YR BOYFRS10 %E
SAYS4
  8,HUH80
  ,%E WAVES ME AWAY Z %E TAKES D[N ! 9=-
M,N F ,J]RY4 ,:ILE ,I'M WAIT+1 ,I PULL \
! PH"O BOOK %E KEEPS "U H] NI<T TA#4
,SCANN+ "? ! ;H'S1 ,I F9D NO ,H5KLES
LI/$ 9 T[N1 OR 9 ! NEI<BOR+ T[NS4 ,I TRY
SPELL+ X Z _M WAYS Z ,I C ?9K (1 B H NO
LUCK4 ,I PACE ACR ! WELL-WORN C>PET UN-
TIL MY "M HANGS UP4
  8,:AT BOYFRS80 ,I REP1T4
  8,DON'T 2 EMB>RASS$10 %E SAYS4 8,YR
BRO!R TOLD ME AB !M40
  8,:AT DID HE TELL Y80
  8,Y'RE GO+ 6MISS ! BUS10 %E SAYS1
*ECK+ ! CLOCK ON H] NI<T TA#4 8,& DON'T
=GET Y H YR MA? TUTOR AF S*OOL40    #AFG
  8,MOM1 PL1SE4 ,I DON'T H ANY BOYFRS40
  8,ROG] & ,ADAM80 %E ASKS1 !N *UCKLES4
8,Y KIDS GR[ UP S FA/ ^! "DS40
  8,ROG]80 ,I REP1T "? GRITT$ TEE?4
8,HE'S J A KID F S*OOL4 ,& ,I HAV5'T EV5
MET ,ADAM 9 P]SON4 ,I'M GO+ 6KILL
,ZACK40
  ,I /ORM \ ( H] ROOM1 GRAB MY /UFF =
S*OOL1 & WALK QKLY D[N ! /REET 6! BUS
/OP4 ,ZACK M/ RE,Y 2 MAD AT ME IF HE
MADE UP ^? ?+S AB ,ROG] & ,ADAM4 ,T'S
"S?+ ,BE? WD H D"O1 B N ,ZACK4 ,I DIDN'T
EV5 R1LIZE HE KNEW ,ROG]'S "N4
  ,! BUS >RIVES "R Z ,I GET 6! /OP4 ,I
GL>E AT ,ZACK :5 ,I GET ON & !N G SIT )
,J5NA4 ,"!'S ? WEIRD VIBE 2T U N[--L
WE'RE / BE/ FRS1 EXCEPT X'S DI6]5T4 ,I
DON'T "K IF %E NOTICES X OR N4 ,"R N[
%E'S TOT,Y OBSESS$ ) PLANN+ H] "PY4 ,I
TRY 6ACT Z IF ,I'M EXCIT$ AB H] SELEC;N
( DECOR,NS1 B X'S H>D4 ,MY H1D IS FILL$
) S _M M-IMPORTANT ?+S4 ,I 0 GO+ 6TELL
H] AB ,ADAM1 B %E DOESN'T GIVE ME ! *.E4
  ,J5NA IS / TALK+ AB ! "PY ON ! BUS
RIDE AF S*OOL1 & ,I'M ACTU,Y GLAD   #AFH
T ,I H 6G /RAI<T HOME = MY TUTOR4 ,Z ,I
TOSS MY BOOK BAG ON ! BOTTOM (! /AIR-
CASE1 ,I HE> AN UNFAMILI> VOICE SAY1
8,DON'T WORRY1 ,MRS4 ,W9*ELL4 ,MIA'S GO+
6D GRT1 Y'LL SEE40
  ,I TIPTOE D[N ! HALL & PEEK MY H1D 96!
KIT*54 ,MY "M IS SITT+ AT ! TA# )A GIRL
:O LOOKS >.D EI<TE54 ,%E HAS L;G /RAI<T
BR[N HAIR "P$ D[N ! MI4LE & SP>KLY GRE5
EYES4 ,%E'S WE>+ A WIDE SMILE &A L[-CUT
%IRT4
  8,MIA1 ? IS YR TUTOR1 ,SAMAN?A40
  8,HI10 ,I SAY1 FEEL+ L A -PLETELY DIF-
F]5T SPECIES F ? GIRL4
  8,:Y DON'T ,I L1VE ! TWO ( Y 6GET D[N
6"W10 MY "M SAYS1 MAK+ H] EXIT4 8,H
FUN40
  8,WE W1 ,MRS4 ,W9*ELL10 ,SAMAN?A SAYS
WAY TOO *E]ILY4
  ,%E PU%ES A *AIR CLOSE 6H]S & MO;NS =
ME 6SIT D[N4 ,I C SEE %E'S ALR LAID \
PAP]1 P5CILS1 & TEXTBOOKS4 ,Z ,SAMAN?A
/>TS TALK+ ,I 2G9 6WI% ,I 7 BACK ) ,J5NA
HE>+ AB ! "PY4 8,N[ ,MIA10 %E SAYS
EXCIT$LY1 8EV5 ?\< X MAY N SEEM L   #AFI
X1 MA? IS A 3CEPT TOO4 ,A MA!MATICAL
EQU,N IS ASK+ Y 6>RIVE AT A NUMB] AF MA-
NIPULAT+ O!R NUMB]S4 ,&! NUMB]S /& =
QUANTITIES4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6T1* Y 6APPROA*
MA? PRO#MS DI6]5TLY4 ,9 A WAY1 WE'LL 2
MAPP+ \ ! EQU,NS 9 SPACE1 UNTIL Y FEEL L
Y C R1* \ & GRAB !M4 ,DOESN'T T S.D
GRT80 ,%E IS ALM GI4Y4
  ,I WI% ,I CD MAT* H] 5?USIASM1 B "R N[
MY DI6ICULTY ) MA? DOESN'T SEEM Z IMPOR-
TANT Z X US$ TO4 ,& AF ALL1 ,I DID GET
AN ;,A ON T LA/ TE/4 ,B ,SAMAN?A IS S
EAG] 6HELP ME T ,I SAY1 8,Y1H1 T S.DS
RE,Y GRT10 & RESIGN MYF 6! MA? LESSON4
,HALFWAY "? X1 ,ZACK -ES HOME & B>GES "R
96! KIT*54
  8,OH1 SORRY10 HE SAYS1 /OPP+ %ORT &
/>+ AT U4 8,I DIDN'T "K Y _H -PANY40
  ,I SI<4 8,SAMAN?A1 ? IS MY BRO!R1
,ZACK40
  8,NICE 6MEET Y10 %E SAYS1 HOLD+ \ H]
H&4
  ,ZACK LOOKS UTT]LY 5?RALL$1 & :5 HE
TAKES H] H& ,I'M AFRAID HE'S GO+ 6KISS
X4 ,HE HANGS >.D ! KIT*5 =A FEW M   #AGJ
M9UTES1 FIX+ HMF ! SL[E/ P1NUT-BUTT]-&-
JELLY S&WI* 9 RECORD$ HI/ORY & KEEP+ "O
EYE ON ,SAMAN?A AT ALL "TS4 ,S9CE :5 DID
,ZACK />T LIK+ GIRLS8
  8,SAY GD-BYE1 ,ZACK10 ,I F9,Y TELL HM4
  ,HE BACKS SL[LY \ (! ROOM1 / />+ &
SMIL+ AWKW>DLY4 ,EI ,SAMAN?A DOESN'T NO-
TICE1 OR %E'S US$ 6! ATT5;N4 ,AF TWO
H\RS %E F9,Y RUNS \ ( /1M1 & ,I FEEL L
,I'M GO+ 6EXPLODE F 3C5TRAT+ S H>D4 ,I
LET H] \ ! FRONT DOOR & G 6*ECK \ !
NOISES ,I HE> -+ F ! D54 ,BE? & ,ZACK >E
BO? BALANC+ ON "O FOOT ) _! >MS HELD HI<
ABV _! H1DS4 ,_! EYES >E CLOS$4
  8,BR1! 9 "? YR NOSE1 HOLD X1 BR1! \ "?
YR M\?10 ,BE? SAYS 9 A L[1 SOO?+ VOICE4
,I WAT*1 MESM]IZ$4 ,SU45LY ,ZACK LOSES 8
BAL.E & TIPS OV]1 ALM TAK+ ,BE? D[N )
HM4
  ,ZACK LOOKS UP AT ME F ! FLOOR4 8,S
:AT D Y ?9K80 HE ASKS4 8,I LOOK PRETTY
GD 9 ? YOGA \TFIT1 DON'T ,I80
  ,HE'S WE>+ LA/ YE>'S GYM %ORTS &A ;,T-
%IRT T SAYS 8,RUNS ) ,SCISSORS0 ON !
FRONT & 8,PLAYS ,WELL ) ,O!RS0 ON   #AGA
! BACK4 ,I'M / MAD AT HM = MAK+ UP !
BOYFRS ?+4
  8,ACTU,Y Y LOOK PRETTY /UPID10 ,I SAY
SPITE;LLY4
  8,MISS+ ,L9K10 HE MUTT]S Z HE GETS TO
8 FEET4
  8,J1L\S M*80 ,I SNAP BACK1 WALK+ QKLY
AWAY4
  8,X'S OKAY1 ,ZACK10 ,BE? SAYS1 /RET*+
H] >MS WIDE4 8,DON'T LET H] UNC5T] Y )
H] NEGATIV;Y4 ,LET'S G ON 6! NEXT POSE40
  ,! BACK DOOR OP5S1 &! SMELL ( PIZZA
WAFTS 96! ROOM4 ,DAD M/ H BR"\ X HOME =
D9N]4 ,I RUN 96! KIT*5 2F ,BE? & ,ZACK C
UNTANGLE !MVS4 ,DAD GOES UP/AIRS 6GET
,MOM1 S = "O WOND];L SECOND ,I'M AL"O )
MY *OICE ( PIZZA4 ,BE? & ,ZACK >RIVE A
SECOND LAT]1 & EA* GRABS A SLICE F DI6]-
5T BOXES4
  8,I GUESS YOGA MAKES Y HUNGRY10 ,I
SAY4
  8,Y %DN'T KNOCK X TILL Y TRY X10 ,BE?
REPLIES1 H] M\? ALR FULL4 8,X'S V RELAX+
& C5T]+40
  8,I'M RELAX$ & C5T]$ 5\<10 ,I     #AGB
TELL H]1 HELP+ MYF 6A SLICE ) PEPP]ONI4
  8,HA60 ,ZACK SAYS4
  8,:AT'S YR PRO#M LATELY80 ,I ASK HM4
8,:Y DID Y TELL ,MOM ,I H TWO BOYFRS80
  8,S9CE :5 D .Y H TWO BOYFRS80 ,BE?
ASKS1 N>R[+ H] EYES AT ME4
  8,S9CE N"E10 ,I SAY1 TURN+ BACK TO
,ZACK4
  8,I TOLD H] 6GET BACK AT Y10 HE SAYS1
R1*+ = ANO!R SLICE ALR4
  8,= :AT80
  8,I DON'T RE,Y "K40
  8,NICE40
  ,I HE> \R P>5TS -+ D[N ! /AIRS1 & SUD-
D5LY ,I'M N 9 ! MOOD =A GR\P M1L4
  8,:AT"E4 ,H A GRT D9N]40 ,I PUT "O M
SLICE ON MY PLATE & L1VE ! ROOM4
  8,": >E Y GO+80 ,DAD ASKS :5 ,I RUN
96HM & ,MOM 9 ! HALL4 8,I HAV5'T SE5 Y
ALL "D40
  8,I'M GO+ UP 6TAKE A BA? S9CE ,BE?
HO7$ ! BA?ROOM ? MORN+10 ,I TELL !M4
8,AL1 ,I DON'T FEEL S WELL40 ,T'S !
TRU?1 9 A WAY4 ,I'M SICK ( "EY"O4
  8,OKAY10 MY "F SAYS1 S.D+ A BIT   #AGC
4APPO9T$4 8,MAYBE Y'LL -E TALK AFW80
  8,MAYBE10 ,I TELL HM1 CLIMB+ ! /EPS
TWO AT A "T4
  ,I F9I% ! PIZZA 0! "T ,I GET 6MY ROOM1
& ,I LAY ! PLATE NEXT 6,MANGO'S PILL
BOTTLE4 ,HE RAISES 8 H1D F ! B$ & GIVES
A SLEEPY ME[4 ,I SIT D[N NEXT 6HM &
SCRAT* "U 8 *9 UNTIL HE PURRS L A TRA9
5G9E & MANGO-COLOR$ PU6S FILL ! AIR4 ,HE
R1*ES \ A PAW & BATS AT ! /R+ ON MY
SW1T%IRT4
  ,I GRAB MY PORTA# RADIO1 & ,MANGO FOL-
L[S ME 6! BA?ROOM4 ,HE CIRCLES ! BA? MAT
UNTIL HE F9DS ! P]FECT SPOT 6CURL UP IN4
,HE LE>N$ ! DANG]S ( SITT+ ON ! $GE (!
TUB LA/ W9T] AF HE FELL 9 & ,DAD _H TO
BL[-DRY HM4 ,I'M ATTEMPT+ 6DUPLICATE !
SITU,N ! WOMAN WROTE AB ": %E SAW ALL !
%APES 9 ! /1M4 ,I TURN ON ! HOT WAT]
FULL BLA/4 ,)\T MY ,"PN] 9 ,CRIME1 ,I'LL
H 6SN1K 96,BE?'S ROOM AL"O 6F9D ! LA/
9GR$I5T = MY BA? EXP]I;T4 ,I CLOSE !
DOOR 2H ME 6KEEP 9 ! /1M1 LOOK OV] MY
%\LD] TWICE1 & !N PRET5D T ,J5NA IS /&+
GU>D = ME AT ! TOP (! /AIRS4 ,BE?   #AGD
HAS S _M C&LES T %E'LL N"E MISS "O4 ,I
*OOSE A %ORT1 SQUAT YELL[ "O F H] BOOK-
%ELF & GRAB A BOOK ( MAT*ES F ! DRESS]
DRAW] ": ,I'D SE5 H] /A% !M4 ,WE'RE ALL
=BI45 6KEEP MAT*ES 9 \R ROOMS S9CE ,ZACK
NE>LY BURN$ 8 LEFT E> (F :5 HE 0 EI<T &
9 8 PLAY+-)-FIRE /AGE4 ,BE? IS SUPPOS$
6ASK "O ( \R P>5TS 6LI<T H] C&LES = H]4
,B HEY1 IF %E _HN'T HI45 ^! MAT*ES1 ,I
WDN'T H !M "R N[4
  ,I HURRY BACK 6! BA?ROOM & AM PL1S$ TO
SEE A NICE HAZY MI/ HAS DEVELOP$4 ,! WA-
T] IS ALM AT ! TOP (! TUB1 S ,I L1P OV]
,MANGO & QKLY TURN ! H&LES4 ,I D\BT MY
P>5TS WD 2 TOO HAPPY IF ,I FLOOD$ !
PLACE4 ,I PUT MY CLO!S 96A N1T PILE1
LI<T ! C&LE1 & TUNE ! RADIO 6A CLASSICAL
/,N4 ,I SWIT* (F ! LI<T & ADMIRE ! WAY !
C&LE ILLUM9ATES ! /1M4 ,"R AWAY ALL !
COLORS (! MUSIC H M DIM5.N4 ,! /1M MAKES
!M M SOLID "SH[4 ,X'S B1UTI;L6 ,! VIOL9S
>E HUNDR$S ( %IMM]+ GOLD LI<TS1 ! HORNS
>E CUBES ( GRE51 &! DRUMS >E A B"R AQUA
BLUE4 ,X FEELS L ,I C ALM R1* \ & T\*
!M4 ,EV5TU,Y ,I REMEMB] ,I'M SUP-   #AGE
POS$ 6BE 9 ! TUB1 N /&+ 9 ! MI4LE (!
ROOM4 ,! WAT] IS RE,Y HOT1 S ,I GET 9
SL[LY4 ,! /1M IS / RIS+ F ! WAT]1 & ,I
WAT* ! COLORS FL[ "? X4 ,X'S L ,I'M A "P
(! :OLE FABRIC (! UNIV]SE--! AIR1 ! WA-
T]1 ! MUSIC1 ! COLORS1 ! %APES1 & ME "R
9 ! MI4LE4 ,I C'T 2LIEVE ,I'M J 4COV]+
?4 ,X MAKES ME WANT 6PA9T4 ,X MAKES ME
WANT 6S+4 ,X REM9DS ME (! SIX?-GRADE
FIELD TRIP 6! PLANET>IUM4 ,EXCEPT ? "T
X'S MY [N P]SONAL LAS]-LI<T %[4
  ,EV5TU,Y ! WAT] GETS COLD1 & S9CE
,I'VE ALR IGNOR$ BO? ,ZACK'S & ,BE?'S
KNOCKS1 ,I RELUCTANTLY DRA9 ! WAT] & T[-
EL (F4 ,Z SOON Z ! WAT] IS ALM G"O1
,MANGO JUMPS 96! TUB & />TS LICK+ !
DRA94
  8,T'S GROSS1 ,MANGO10 ,I TELL HM1
PROMPTLY LIFT+ HM BACK \4
  ,HE %AKES WAT] (F 8 :ISK]S1 & ,I SWE>
X LOOKS L HE'S W9K+ AT ME4 ,I /A% ! RA-
DIO & C&LE "U ! S9K 2H ! ROLLS ( TOILET
PAP]4 ,Z SOON Z ,I L1VE ! BA?ROOM ,ZACK
RU%ES 9 & LOCKS ! DOOR4 ,I R1LIZE ON !
WAY 6MY ROOM T ,I HAV5'T D"O !      #AGF
?REE GD DE$S 6MAKE UP = LY+ 6MY "M AB MY
HOME"W ! O!R "D4 ,EV5 ?\< ,I'M N ,CA?O-
LIC1 ,I SAY A ,HAIL ,M>Y1 GIVE ,MANGO 8
M$IC9E1 & !N ?R[ 9 ANO!R ,HAIL ,M>Y 2C
,I C'T ?9K ( ANY?+ ELSE4

  ,AF A WEEK ( /ALL+1 ,I WAKE UP ,SUN"D
MORN+ ) "O GOAL--6CALL ,ROG] & SET UP !
ACUPUNCTURE SES.N4 ,I C'T IMAG9E X CD 2
M 9T5SE ?AN ! BA?S1 : H 2COME AN ALM
NI<TLY EV5T1 & ,I C'T WAIT 6F9D \4 ,:5
MY CLOCKS R1D #AJ3JJ ,A4,M4 ,I DIAL 8
NUMB]4 ,A "Y GIRL'S VOICE ANSW]S1 & ,I
ASK = ,ROG]4
  8,:O'S ?80 %E ASKS SUSPICI\SLY4
  8,X'S ,MIA10 ,I TELL H]4 8,I G 6S*OOL
) ,ROG]40
  8,ROG]60 ,%E YELLS S L\D T ,I JUMP4
8,X'S YR GIRLFR1 ,MIA60
  8,%E'S N MY GIRLFR10 ,ROG] HISSES 9 !
BACKGR.D4 ,I HE> HM GRAB ! PH"O F 8 SIS-
T]4
  8,SORRY AB T10 HE MUM#S4 ,I C PICTURE
8 FACE TURN+ R$4 8,%E LIVES 6DRIVE ME
CRAZY40                             #AGG
  8,X'S OKAY10 ,I SAY4 8,%E %D MEET MY
BRO!R4 ,!Y H A LOT 9 -MON40
  8,S Y'RE CALL+ AB ! PROJECT1 "R80
  8,UH1 R-RI<T10 ,I /AMM]4 8,! PROJECT40
  8,>E Y HAV+ A PRO#M ) YR "P (! RE-
SE>*80
  ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6BE RESE>*+ ! RELIGI\S
2LIEFS (! ,IBO P4 ,I HAV5'T EV5 2GUN1 B
,I C'T TELL HM T4
  8,I'LL H X ALL D"O 2F WE MEET ON
,TUES"D10 ,I TELL HM 3FID5TLY4 ,I %IFT
MY 9T]NAL CAL5D> 6,MON"D NI<T & MAKE A
M5TAL NOTE 6F9I% ! ASSIGN;T 0!N4
  ,SIL;E ON ! O!R 5D4 8,S :AT >E Y CALL+
AB !N80
  8,WE-ELL10 ,I SAY SL[LY1 DRAW+ \ ! ^W4
8,Y GET YR ACUPUNCTURE ON ,W$NES"D AFNS1
"R80
  8,USU,Y4 ,:Y80
  ,I TAKE A DEEP BR1?4 8,I 0 WOND]+ IF Y
WD LET ME -E ) Y4 ,I CD GET ! APPO9T;T
"R AF YRS & !N MAYBE YR MOM CD TAKE ME
HOME80 ,I HOLD MY BR1? = 8 RESPONSE4
  ,AF A PA9;LLY L;G PAUSE1 HE SAYS1 8,I
GUESS T CD "W4 ,B :Y D Y NE$ 6G80   #AGH
  ,N[ X'S MY TURN 6PAUSE4 ,2F ,I C RE-
SPOND1 HE SAYS1 8,X'S OKAY1 Y DON'T H TO
TELL ME IF X'S PRIVATE OR "S?+40
  8,NO1 X'S OKAY10 ,I SAY QKLY4 8,I H AN
E>A*E T J WON'T G AWAY40 ,EV5 6ME X S.DS
L ,I'M LY+4
  8,OH10 HE SAYS4 8,WELL1 ,I'LL BR+ 9 !
PH"O NUMB] TM40
  8,C'T Y CALL = ME80
  8,UH1 ,I GUESS S40
  ,RELIEF FLOODS "? ME4 8,& YR "M8 ,D Y
?9K %E C TAKE ME HOME80
  8,I DON'T SEE :Y N10 HE SAYS4 8,I'LL
LET Y "K AB ! APPO9T;T Z SOON Z ,I HE>40
  ,I ?ANK HM & QKLY HANG UP4 ,I SUSPECT
,ROG] "KS ,I'M LY+1 & ,I WOND] :AT HE
?9KS ,I'M DO+ X =4 ,HE'S PRACTIC,Y ! ON-
LY P]SON 9 MY GRADE :O HASN'T ASK$ ME
:AT COLOR 8 "N IS4 ,X'S ACTU,Y A DEEP
D>K PURPLE1 L ! SK9 ( AN E7PLANT4 ,WE'VE
N"E SPOK5 AB T "D AT ! VET'S (FICE EI4
,X'S L AN UNSPOK5 AGREE;T4
  ,J5NA HAS BE5 ASK+ ME 6-E OV] = WEEKS
N[1 S ,I PUT ON W>M CLO!S & SCRIB# A
,PO/-X NOTE = MY P>5TS4 ,I'M J AB   #AGI
6/ICK X ON ! REFRIG]ATOR DOOR :5 VOICES
FLOAT 9 F D[N ! HALL4
  8,I DON'T C>E :AT ? ,J]RY ?9KS10 ,DAD
SAYS1 SLAMM+ 8 TOOL *E/ CLOS$4 8,I DON'T
L :AT'S GO+ ON40
  ,I /& P]FECTLY /1 ! PAP] POIS$ 9 MY
H&4
  8,%E'S 9 A PHASE10 MY "M ANSW]S CALM-
LY4 8,%E'S J TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :O %E IS40
  8,B H] GRADES >5'T IMPROV+10 HE PO9TS
\4 8,& H] REPORT C>D -ES \ 9 A LL OV] A
MON?40
  8,%E REC5TLY GOT AN ;,A ON A MA? TE/10
MY "M SAYS4
  8,%E DID8 ,I DIDN'T "K T40
  ..,DID ,I =GET 6%[ HM ! TE/8 ,I M/ .H4
  8,X'S A LL /RANGE ?\<10 MY "M MUSES4
8,T TE/ 0 2F %E />T$ "W+ ) ,SAMAN?A40
  ,I DON'T MOVE A MUSCLE1 & ,I HE> !M
MOVE T[>D ! FRONT DOOR4 ,MY "F SAYS "S?+
9 RESPONSE1 B ! FURNACE KICKS 9 & ,I C'T
HE> X CLE>LY OV] ! NOISE4 ,! FRONT DOOR
CLOSES & !Y'RE G"O4 ,MY H& %AKES Z ,I
/ICK ! NOTE ON ! FRIDGE4 ,I'M HALF
TEMPT$ 6G BACK UP/AIRS & LOSE MYF   #AHJ
9 ! BA?TUB1 B ,I C'T RISK LETT+ D[N ,J5-
NA AG4 ,A PHASE6 ,HA6 ,Z ,I OP5 ! BACK
DOOR1 MY FR%IP BRACELET GETS CAU<T ON !
LAT* &A ?R1D RIPS4 ,SUCK+ 9 MY BR1?1 ,I
TUCK ! BROK5 5DS BACK 9 PLACE S ,J5NA
WON'T NOTICE4 ,MAYBE WE'RE GETT+ TOO OLD
6WE> !M AF ALL4

















               ,*APT] ,T5           #AHA

  8,I ?"\ = SURE Y'D BL[ ME (F10 ,J5NA
SAYS Z %E OP5S H] FRONT DOOR4
  8,I'VE N"E BL[N Y (F ON PURPOSE10 ,I
SAY1 %RU7+ (F MY JACKET & H&+ X 6H]4
,X'S A GD ?+ ! PULL (! BA? WASN'T /R;G 5
6KEEP ME AWAY4 ,! AWKW>D;S HANGS H1VILY
9 ! AIR 2T U4
  8,Y'VE BE5 IGNOR+ ME10 %E CLAIMS Z %E
TOSSES MY COAT 96! CLOSET1 N BO!R+ 6PUT
X ON A HANG]4
  8,I'M "H N[1 >5'T ,I80
  8,I DON'T "K10 %E SAYS4 8,MAYBE Y'RE
AN ILLU.N4 ,LET ME SEE40 ,%E R1*ES \ &
P9*ES MY >M4 ,H>D4
  8,\*60 ,I YELP1 PULL+ AWAY4
  8,OKAY1 Y'RE R1L4 ,DAD'S MAK+ PAN-
CAKES4 ,>E Y HUNGRY80
  8,/>V$10 ,I SAY1 RU2+ MY >M4 8,!N ,I
NE$ 6D "S RESE>* ON YR -PUT]1 OKAY80
  ,%E /OPS \TSIDE ! KIT*54 8,X'S N AB !
:OLE COLORS ?+1 "R80
  8,NO1 X'S N10 ,I ANSW] DEF5SIVELY4
8,X'S = MY HI/ORY PROJECT4 ,I J DON'T
WANT 6FI<T ) ,ZACK OV] ! -PUT]40    #AHB
  8,OKAY !N10 %E SAYS4 ,9 ! KIT*5 ,MR4
,DAVIS IS FLIPP+ 8 SPECIAL BLUEB]RY PAN-
CAKES4 ,I /OP %ORT :5 ,I SEE AN UNFAMIL-
I> WOMAN SITT+ AT ! TA#4 ,I "K X C'T 2 A
RELATIVE 2C ,I'VE MET !M ALL4
  8,MIA10 ,J5NA SAYS 9 A =MAL VOICE1 8?
IS ,REBE3A4 ,A .FR ( MY "F'S40
  ,I TRY N 6%[ MY SURPRISE4
  8,NICE 6MEET Y10 ,I SAY /I6LY4
  8,SAME "H10 ,REBE3A REPLIES 9 A ?ROATY
VOICE4 ,I ?9K X'S SUPPOS$ 6S.D SEXY1 B X
J S.DS L %E'S ALL /U6$ UP4 ,& :O WE>S A
FULL FACE ( MAKEUP ON A ,SUN"D MORN+8
,%E M/ 2 ! GIV] (! PURPLE M9IBACKPACK4
  ,NO "O SAYS ANY?+ AF T4 ,J5NA'S DAD
BR1KS ! SIL;E )1 8,S1 ,MIA1 R1DY = MY
_W-FAM\S FLAPJACKS80
  8,UH1 SURE10 ,I ANSW]1 *OOS+ A S1T ACR
F ,REBE3A4 ,I KEEP GLANC+ AT ,J5NA1 B
%E'S %OVEL+ =K;LS ( PANCAKE 96H] M\? Z
IF %E HASN'T EAT5 9 A WEEK4
  8,WE HAV5'T SE5 Y >.D "H 9 A :ILE1
,MIA10 HE SAYS1 N1TLY SLID+ A PANCAKE F
! FRY+ PAN ONTO MY PLATE4 8,GOT A NEW
BOYFR80                             #AHC
  8,DAD60 ,J5NA MOANS4
  8,NO60 ,I VEHE;TLY D5Y4 ,REBE3A SMILES
A LL HALF SMILE T SU7E/S %E ?9KS ,I'M
LY+1 & ,I DECIDE ,I DEF9ITELY DON'T L
H]4
  8,I "K10 HE SAYS1 JO9+ U AT ! TA#4 8,Y
7 RECRUIT$ 0! ,,CIA & H BE5 \ (! C.TRY
ON A SECRET MIS.N40
  ,I %AKE MY H1D AG & DIG 96MY BR1KFA/1
MAT*+ ,J5NA BITE = BITE4
  8,ABDUCT$ 0ALI5S80
  8,NOPE10 ,I ANSW] ) MY M\? FULL & MY
EYES FOCUS$ ON MY PLATE4
  8,I'M J T1S+ Y10 HE SAYS F9,Y4 8,I "K
:AT Y'VE BE5 DO+2 ,J5NA TOLD ME A FEW
WEEKS AGO40
  8,OH10 ,I SAY1 LOOK+ AT ,J5NA4 ,%E
KEEPS EAT+4 ,%E'S GO+ 6*OKE IF %E
DOESN'T SL[ D[N4
  ,WE 3T9UE EAT+ 9 SIL;E =A M9UTE1 UNTIL
,REBE3A ASKS U :AT WE'RE PLANN+ ON DO+
TD4 ,I'M AB 6ANSW] H] :5 ,J5NA HOPS UP F
! TA# & SAYS1 8,NO?+ SPECIAL4 ,C'MON1
,MIA1 LET'S G40
  ,MR4 ,DAVIS & ,REBE3A %>E A       #AHD
LOOK4 ,J5NA'S HALFWAY \ (! KIT*5 2F ,I
CAT* UP ) H]4
  8,T 0 RUDE10 ,I :ISP] Z WE CLIMB !
/AIRS 6H] ROOM4
  8,S :AT80 %E SAYS4 8,SUN"DS >E SUPPOS$
6BE FAMILY "T1 Y 2+ 3SID]$ FAMILY (
C\RSE4 ,%E %DN'T -E OV] ON A ,SUN"D
MORN+4 ,%E'S ! RUDE "O IF Y ASK ME40
  ,WE LIE D[N ON ,J5NA'S B$1 & %E *ANGES
! SUBJECT4 8,S :AT'S BE5 GO+ ON ) Y
LATELY8 ,Y'RE 9 YR [N _W MO/ (! "T40
  ,I'M AB 6PO9T \ T ALL .%E SEEMS 6C>E
AB LATELY IS H] "PY4 ,B ,I DON'T WANT TO
FI<T AG4 ,IF %E RE,Y WANTS 6"K :AT'S GO+
ON ) ME1 !N ,I'M GO+ 6TELL H]4 ,! FLOOD-
GATES OP54 ,I TELL H] AB ,ADAM'S ;E-
MAILS &! :OLE ACUPUNCTURE ?+4 ,I EV5
TELL H] AB MY BA?S & AB ! UPCOM+ MEET+4
,%E LI/5S PATI5TLY B />ES AT ! CEIL+ !
:OLE "T4
  ,AF A M9UTE %E SAYS1 8,W[1 Y'VE BE5
BUSY40
  8,S :AT D Y ?9K80 ,I ASK1 L1N+ UP ON
MY ELB[4 8,ISN'T X COOL80
  8,Y1H1 X S.DS COOL4 ,I / DON'T    #AHE
RE,Y "U/& X ?\<40
  8,"R10 ,I SAY1 PULL+ AT ! LOOSE /R+S
ON H] FL[]$ -=T]4 8,SORRY40
  8,D Y ?9K X'S "S?+ ,I CD LE>N80 %E
ASKS1 MOV+ H] PILL[ S %E C SIT UP4 8,I
REMEMB] ?+S RE,Y WELL4 ,I'M SURE ,I C
MEMORIZE ! COLOR ( EA* LR40
  8,X DOESN'T "W T WAY10 ,I TELL H]1
TRY+ 6KEEP MY VOICE EV54 8,X'S "S?+ Y'RE
BORN )40
  8,S Y 7 BORN ) X & ,I WASN'T40 ,AF AN-
O!R L;G PAUSE1 %E ASKS1 8,:5 IS ? BIG
MEET+ Y'RE GO+ TO80
  8,! WEEK5D AF ,?ANKSGIV+40
  ,%E JUMPS (F ! B$4 8,B MY "PY'S T
,SATUR"D NI<T60
  8,I "K10 ,I SAY QKLY1 HOP+ %E CDN'T
TELL ,I _H ACTU,Y =GOTT54 ,MAYBE ,I .AM
A BAD FR6 8,! MEET+ W 2 OV] 9 ! AFN4
,I'LL 2 BACK 9 PL5TY ( "T40
  8,& Y'LL HELP ME SET UP80
  8,( C\RSE60
  ,%E H&S ME A P5 & PAP] F H] DESK4
8,GD4 ,LET'S "W ON ! LI/40
  ,I H ONLY WRITT5 D[N SIX "NS :5   #AHF
,J5NA'S "F KNOCKS ON ! DOOR & ASKS H] TO
-E D[N/AIRS4
  8,:Y80 %E CALLS \4
  8,X W ONLY TAKE A M9UTE10 HE SAYS
FIRMLY4
  ,%E GRUNTS & TAKES H] "T GETT+ 6!
DOOR4 ,I MOVE OV] 6H] -PUT] DESK & LOG
ON 6! ,9T]NET4 ,A :OLE LI/ ( REF];ES
POPS UP = ,IBO1 & ,I PR9T !M \ 6LOOK AT
LAT]4 ,HOME"W ON A ,SUN"D %D 2 ILLEGAL4
  ,J5NA -ES BACK 9 & SLAMS ! DOOR 2H H]4
  8,UH-OH10 ,I SAY4 ,2F ^! LA/ FEW MON?S
,I'D N"E SE5 ,J5NA GET MAD4 ,EV5 :5 H]
MOM DI$1 %E SEEM$ RE,Y SAD1 N ANGRY4 ,I
WD H BE5 S ANGRY AT ! _W1 B T'S J N ,J5-
NA'S P]SONAL;Y4 ,AT L1/ X DIDN'T US$ TO
BE4
  8,Y H 6BE NIC] 6,REBE3A10 ,J5NA SAYS1
IMITAT+ H] DAD'S VOICE4 8,REBE3A FEELS
BAD Y DON'T L H]10 %E 3T9UES4 8,L ,I C>E
H[ ,REBE3A FEELS60 ,%E FALLS BACK ONTO !
B$1 & TE>S ( FRU/R,N SLIDE D[N H] *EEKS4
,I SIT NEXT 6H] & /ROKE H] >M4
  8,:Y HAV5'T Y TOLD ME AB H]80 ,I ASK4
8,H[ L;G HAS %E BE5 >.D80           #AHG
  ,J5NA SNI6LES4 8,AB SIX WEEKS1 ,I
GUESS4 ,I DIDN'T TELL Y 2C ,I KEPT HOP+
%E'D G AWAY4 ,?+S 7 F9E )\T H]40
  8,? IS J 8 F/ GIRLFR10 ,I PO9T \4 8,X
DOESN'T M1N HE'S GO+ 6M>RY H]40
  8,HE BETT] N10 %E SAYS1 S.D+ HORRIFI$4
  ,I PICK UP ! BIR?"D LI/4 8,LET'S KEEP
GO+4 ,D Y WANT 69VITE T GIRL F YR GYM
CLASS :O REFUSES 6WE> H] GYM UNI=M 2C %E
?9KS X'S UN-,AM]ICAN80
  8,I DON'T C>E10 %E SAYS 9 A FLAT T"O4
  8,B Y L H]40
  8,I DON'T C>E AB ! /UPID "PY10 %E
SNAPS1 GRA2+ ! PAP] F ME & TOSS+ X 9 !
AIR4 8,MAYBE Y %D J G HOME40
  8,:Y80
  8,I WANT 6BE AL"O40
  8,>E Y SURE80 ,I ASK4 8,WE C G ON A
,,PIC MIS.N & MELT ALL ! MAKEUP 9 ,RE-
BE3A'S POCKETBOOK4 ,! /OVE TOP'S PROBA-
BLY / W>M 5\<40
  8,TEMPT+1 B N TD10 %E REPLIES1 HOLD+
H] B$ROOM DOOR OP5 = ME4 ,I GRAB MY COM-
PUT] PR9T\TS & HURRY AF H]4 ,%E ALR HAS
MY JACKET 9 H] H& 0! "T ,I R1* !    #AHH
BOTTOM (! /AIRS4
  ,! F/ "T 9 WEEKS ,I G 6SEE H] & %E
?R[S ME \4 8,I'LL SEE Y AT ! BUS /OP TM1
OKAY1 ,J5NA80
  ,%E NODS MIS]ABLY & CLOSES ! DOOR 2H
ME4 ,2F ,I GET M ?AN A /EP AWAY1 ,J5NA
OP5S ! DOOR AG4
  8,WAIT10 %E SAYS4 8,D Y ?9K YR MOM CD
GIVE ME MY "M'S BIR?"D PRES5T E>LY ?
YE>80
  ,%E LOOKS S SMALL & SAD /&+ 9 ! BIG
WOOD5 DOORWAY4 ,I J WANT 6GIVE H] A HUG
& TELL H] "EY?+ W 2 ALL "R4
  8,I'LL ASK H]10 ,I PROMISE4
  8,Y "K :AT80 %E SAYS4 8,DON'T BO!R40
  8,>E Y SURE80
  8,YES10 %E SAYS1 & CLOSES ! DOOR = GD
? "T4 ,I /& "! =A MO;T L;G] & !N WALK
HOME SL[LY4
  ,"EY"O IS \ :5 ,I GET HOME1 &! H\SE
SEEMS V QUIET4 ,AT L1/ ,I C'T FI<T )
ANY"O IF ,I'M ALL AL"O4 ,I SETTLE 9TO
,MOM'S (FICE & LOOK UP ! ,IBO REF];ES ON
! ,9T]NET4 ,I LE>N T !Y >E AL CALL$
,IGBOS1 & T !Y 2LIEV$ T AF _!       #AHI
D1?1 ! GODS WD RETURN _! S\LS 6,AFRICA4
,T'S :Y !Y DR[N$ !MVS--6G HOME4
  ,! PH"O R+S & />TLES ME4 ,I DRAG MYF
AWAY F ! ,IBOS & ANSW] X4
  8,IS ,MIA "!80 A BOY'S VOICE ASKS4
  8,? IS ,MIA10 ,I RESPOND T5TATIVELY1
SE>*+ MY BRA9 6MAT* ! VOICE 6ANY"O ,I
"K4
  8,X'S ,ADAM40
  8,ADAM80 ,I ASK1 SITT+ /RAI<T UP 9 MY
*AIR4 8,H[ DID Y GET MY NUMB]80
  8,DR4 ,WEISS1 ,I M1N ,J]RY1 GAVE X TO
ME4 ,I HOPE Y DON'T M9D40
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T M9D10 ,I ANSW]4 ,MY H&
HOLD+ ! PH"O IS RAPIDLY 2COM+ SW1TY4
8,:Y 7 Y TALK+ 6,J]RY80
  8,HE CALL$ & 9VIT$ ME 6! BIG MEET+ \
"!40
  8,B Y LIVE ALL ! WAY 9 ,BO/ON40
  8,I "K10 ,ADAM SAYS1 EXCITE;T COAT+ 8
^WS4 8,B WE'VE "W$ TGR 2F1 & HE "KS ,I H
RELATIVES \ "! ,I C /AY )4 ,WE'LL F9,Y
GET 6MEET EA* O!R40
  ,I SU45LY FEEL %Y4 8,LOOKS L X40
  ,J !N1 "S"O ELSE PICKS UP !       #AIJ
PH"O4 ,I "K X'S N AT MY H\SE S9CE ,I'M
HOME AL"O4 ,X BETT] .N 2 AT MY H\SE S9CE
,I'M HOME AL"O6 ,IMAGES F E SC>Y MOVIE
,I'VE "E SE5 RUN "? MY H1D1 & MY H& ALM
DROPS ! PH"O4
  8,I NE$ 6MAKE A CALL1 ,ADAM10 A WOM-
AN'S VOICE SAYS1 M* 6MY RELIEF4 ,MY HE>T
RATE SL[S BACK 6NORMAL4
  8,J A SECOND1 ,MOM40 ,WE WAIT 6HE> !
CLICK 2F WE RESUME TALK+4 8,S ,I GUESS
,I'LL SEE Y 9 A FEW WEEKS40
  8,I GUESS S10 ,I REPLY1 WI%+ ,I CD -E
UP ) "S?+ M 9TELLIG5T 6SAY4
  ,WE HANG UP1 & ,I JUMP \ (! *AIR L MY
FEET H SPR+S4 ,I SU45LY FEEL ? NE$ 6CEL-
EBRATE 0HU7+ ,MANGO4 ,I SE>* "? ! H\SE1
B HE'S DO+ A GD JOB HID+4 ,HE F9,Y RE-
SURFACES "R 2F B$"T4 ,HE M/ H _H A BUSY
"D GETT+ 8 REV5GE ON ! SQUIRRELS 2C HE'S
V TIR$4 ,E YE> :5 X />TS 6GET COLD1 !
SQUIRRELS -E \ 9 FULL =CE 6MAKE SURE !
NUTS !Y BURI$ OV] ! SUMM] >E SECURE4
,LA/ YE> AT ? "T1 ,MANGO 0 SMALL] ?AN !
SQUIRRELS W]E1 & !Y US$ 6*ASE HM ALL >.D
! BACKY>D4 ,I BET ? YE> HE'S LET-   #AIA
T+ !M "K :O'S RE,Y ! BOSS (! Y>D4 ,I TRY
65T]TA9 HM ) 8 /U6$ ,TWEETY1 B HE J
ROLLS OV] & PURRS4 ,HE SWALL[S 8 PILL )-
\T EV5 *EW+ & SETTLES D[N =! NI<T ON MY
PILL[ 9/1D ( ON 8 BLANKET4 ,8 MANGO-
COLOR$ :EEZ+ KEEPS ME AWAKE1 & F9,Y ,I H
6MOVE HM 6HIS USUAL SPOT AT ! FOOT (!
B$4
  ,:5 MY AL>M GOES (F 9 ! MORN+1 ,I
AWAKE 6F9D ,MANGO SITT+ ON ! W9D[ L$GE1
NO D\BT PLANN+ 8 NEXT ATTACK4 ,2F ,I C
ROLL \ ( B$1 ,ZACK PU%ES MY DOOR OP5 &
/ICKS 8 H1D IN4
  8,S8 ,H[ D ,I LOOK80
  8,HUH80
  8,MY E>S60 HE SAYS1 TURN+ 8 H1D F SIDE
6SIDE4
  8,OH1 "R4 ,X'S ,HALL[E56 ,!Y LOOK GD4
,V NATURAL40 ,ZACK HAS DRESS$ UP L
,SPOCK EA* YE> S9CE HE 0 SIX4 ,I KEEP
TELL+ HM NO "O WAT*ES ! ORIG9AL .,/>
.,TREK ANYMORE1 B HE WON'T LI/54 ,?ANK-
;LLY HE'S \TGR[N ! RE/ ( 8 CO/UME1 S ?
YE> HE'S ONLY WE>+ ! E>S4 ,I REMEMB] :5
,HALL[E5 0 MY FAVORITE HOLI"D4      #AIB
,N[ ,I _H =GOTT5 ALL AB X4 ,I GUESS ,I'M
GR[+ UP4
  ,AT BR1KFA/ ,I FIGURE ,I BETT] TRY 6BE
SOCIA# S MY "F DOESN'T WORRY S M*4 ,I
TELL HM ,I ?9K ,MANGO IS *AS+ ! SQUIR-
RELS ? YE>4
  8,I DON'T WANT 6CL1N UP ANY SQUIRREL
C>CASSES10 HE SAYS1 BIT+ 96HIS TOA/ )
HOMEMADE APPLE JAM4 ,HE IS OBLIVI\S BO?
6! FALL+ CRUMBS & 6MY "M'S GL>E Z %E
SWEEPS !M 96H] H&4
  8,MANGO DOESN'T ACTU,Y KILL !M10 ,ZACK
SAYS1 8 >M /UCK HALFWAY 96A C]1L BOX4
8,HE J SC>ES !M & *ASES !M UP TREES40
  8,REMEMB] ! LA/ "T ,MANGO CLIMB$ A
TREE80 ,I ASK4
  8,I REMEMB]10 ,MOM SAYS4 8,I ?9K !
FIRE DE"P;T IS / LAU<+ 6? "D40
  8,:AT 0 X EXACTLY T !Y SD80 ,ZACK ASKS
H]1 EV5 ?\< HE "KS V WELL4 ,X'S A /ORY
HE N"E GETS TIR$ ( HE>+4
  8,!Y TOLD ME1 ,8,HEY ,LADY1 H Y "E SE5
A CAT SKELETON 9 A TREE80'0
  ,! ?REE ( !M 4SOLVE 96LAU<T]1 B T 0 AN
IMPORTANT "D = ME4 ,:5 ,MANGO FI-   #AIC
N,Y MADE 8 WAY D[N T TREE1 SLID+ ON !
SLIPP]Y B>K1 HE 0 SC>$ & %IV]+4 ,/ N
FULLY GR[N1 HE SNU7L$ 96! FOLDS ( MY
SW1T]1 & ,I PETT$ HM UNTIL HE CALM$ D[N4
,T 0 ! F/ "T ,I KNEW HE NE$$ ME4
  ,BR1KFA/ IS OV] :5 ,BE? -ES 9 & />TS
YELL+ T ,MOM WA%$ H] :ITE SW1T] ) H] R$
SW1T] & X'S N[ A P9K SW1T] & :AT IS %E
SUPPOS$ 6WE> 6S*OOL8
  8,Y CD WE> A ,HALL[E5 CO/UME10 ,ZACK
SU7E/S4 8,I H "S EXTRA E>S40
  8,MOM60 ,BE? WAILS4
  8,LIVE L;G & PROSP]10 ,ZACK TELLS ,BE?
2F WE RUN 6MAKE ! BUS4 ,%E IS N AMUS$4
  ,T AFN ,I >RIVE AT HI/ORY CLASS 2F
,ROG]4 ,I WAIT \TSIDE ! DOOR1 IMPATI5TLY
TAPP+ MY F+]S AG/ A COLD METAL LOCK]4
,IF HE DOESN'T HURRY1 ! BELL IS GO+ 6R+4
  ,MRS4 ,MORRIS WALKS PA/ ME 96! ROOM4
8,>E Y JO9+ U1 ,MISS ,W9*ELL80
  ,I H NO *OICE B 6FOLL[ H] IN4 ,J Z !
BELL R+S1 ,ROG] DUCKS 96! DOOR & SLIPS
96HIS S1T4 ,I />E AT ! BACK ( 8 H1D1
WILL+ HM 6TURN >.D4 ,HE'S TOO F> AWAY =
ME 6:ISP] 6HM1 &! LA/ "T "SBODY 0   #AID
CAU<T PASS+ A NOTE1 ,MRS4 ,MORRIS TACK$
X UP ON ! BULLET9 BO>D4
  ,AF ! L;GE/ FIFTY-TWO M9UTES ,I C RE-
MEMB]1 ,I CORN] ,ROG] AT 8 DESK 2F HE C
EV5 /& UP4 ,I'M AB 6P\NCE1 :5 HE HOLDS
UP 8 H& 6/OP ME4
  8,2F Y ASK1 ! ANSW] IS YES4 ,MY "M SET
UP ! APPO9T;T = AF S*OOL ON ,W$NES"D4
,%E'S GO+ 6CALL YR "M TN40
  8,OH1 %E IS80 ,I SAY NON*ALANTLY4
  8,T'S OKAY1 "R80 HE ASKS Z WE L1VE !
ROOM TGR4 8,%E DOES "K AB ?1 DOESN'T
%E80
  8,( C\RSE %E "KS10 ,I REPLY4 8,WELL1
%E K9D ( "KS40 ,!N1 8,OKAY1 NO1 %E
DOESN'T "K40
  8,:Y HAV5'T Y TOLD H]80
  8,UM1 %E DOESN'T 2LIEVE 9 ACUPUNC-
TURE80
  ,ROG] LOOKS AT ME SIDEWAYS Z WE WALK
D[N ! HALL4 8,:Y HAV5'T Y RE,Y TOLD H]80
  ,I /OP WALK+4 8,LI/51 Y SD IF X 0 PRI-
VATE1 ,I DIDN'T H 6TALK AB X1 REMEMB]8
,C'T Y J TELL YR "M ,I H P]MIS.N80
  8,I GUESS S10 ,ROG] SAYS1 CLE>-   #AIE
LY N PL1S$4 8,B H[ >E Y GO+ 6PAY = X
!N80
  ,I _HN'T ?"\ ( T4 8,I H "S M"OY SAV$10
,I TELL HM1 8F ALL[.E & ODD JOBS &
/UFF40
  8,OKAY10 HE SAYS4 8,IF X'S T IMPORTANT
6Y40
  8,X IS10 ,I TELL HM Z =CE;LLY Z ,I C
MU/]4 ,I'M AB 6?ANK HM1 B HE HOB#S (F 2F
,I GET A *.E4
  ,WE H ANO!R TE/ 9 MA? CLASS TD4 ,I
SUPPOSE ,I CD TRY 6USE ! ME?ODS ,SAMAN?A
TAU<T ME1 B T SEEMS M TR\# ?AN X'S WOR?4
,AF ALL1 ,I'M ALR PREP>$ )! M>K]S1 & X
H>DLY FEELS L *1T+ ANYMORE4 ,I USE !
BOTTOM ( MY SN1K] ? "T S9CE ,I'M N WE>+
J1NS TD4
  ,:5 ,I GET HOME ,MOM IS SETT+ UP H]
TELESCOPE 9 ! FRONT Y>D4 ,"!'S "S BIG
PLANET>Y-ALIGN;T ?+ TN T %E'S BE5 TALK+
AB = WEEKS4 ,I 9T5D 6/AY ON H] GD SIDE
=A :ILE4 ,!N MAYBE %E WON'T ASK ME :Y
,I'M N -+ HOME AF S*OOL ON ,W$NES"D4
  8,MIA1 ,I'M HOP+ Y'LL GET D9N] R1DY =
ME TN S ,I C "W \ "H4 ,I ALR MADE   #AIF
! SALAD1 Y'D J H 6PUT UP ! PA/A40
  8,SURE1 ,MOM10 ,I SAY4 8,NO PRO#M40 ,I
/EP >.D H] & H1D 6! FRONT DOOR4
  8,OH1 ,MIA10 %E SAYS1 H] BACK 6ME4
8,H[ 0 ! MA? TE/ TD80
  ,I /OP ) MY H& ON ! DOORKNOB4 8,X 0
GD10 ,I TELL H]1 HOLD+ MY BR1?4
  8,GRT10 %E SAYS4 8,I'M PR\D ( Y40
  ,I WAIT UNTIL ! DOOR IS %UT 2H ME TO
BR1! AG4 ,MY PLAN IS 6LIE L[ =! RE/ (!
AFN4 ,S9CE ,MOM IS \TSIDE1 %E WON'T NE$
ME 6H& \ ! C&Y 6! TRICK-OR-TR1T]S4 ,I "W
ON MY ,IBO REPORT & PEEK \ ! W9D[ AT ALL
! LL WIT*ES & FIREM5 & BRIDES & MON/]S4
,!Y H NO IDEA H[ -PLICAT$ LIFE C BE4 ,AT
SIX O'C ,I MAKE D9N]4 ,NOBODY ?ANKS ME4
,!Y ALL EAT 9 A HURRY & !N G \TSIDE TO
WAT* ,MOM WAT* ! />S4 ,NO "O HELPS ME
CL1N UP4 ,I WR+ \ ! SP;GE OV] ! S9K &
KEEP REP1T+ "O ?"\ 9 MY H1D3 ..,W$NES"D
_C -E FA/ .5\<4

  ,ROG] LIVES "R NE> ! S*OOL1 & ON
,TUES"D ! F\R ( U WALK 6HIS H\SE TGR4
,ROG] L1DS U 96! KIT*5 & TELLS U    #AIG
6SET UP CAMP AT ! R.D WOOD5 TA#4
  8,OH1 D Y H A DOG80 ,LAURA ASKS1 ALM
TRIPP+ OV] A BIG SILV] DO7IE B[L4 ,"R
NEXT 6X IS A SQU1KY TOY 9 ! %APE (A /1K4
8,2C ,I'M ALL]GIC 6ANIMALS ) FUR4 ,I GET
HIVES ALL OV] MY >MS & LEGS40
  ,ROG] SL[LY CLOSES ! REFRIG]ATOR &
SETS D[N F\R CANS ( SODA4 ,HE %AKES 8
H1D4 8,NO1 WE DON'T H A DOG1 S Y DON'T H
6WORRY40
  ,LAURA GL.ES AT ! B[L ON ! FLOOR & !N
LOOKS "Q+LY AT ME4 ,I GUESS ,ROG]'S FAM-
ILY ISN'T R1DY 6LET G YET4 ,I C'T MEET
,ROG]'S EYES UNTIL ! MEET+ IS HALF OV]4
,AF A :ILE NO "O HAS ANY?+ LEFT 6SAY AB
! ,IBOS1 S WE MOVE 96! D5 & WAT* VIDEOS4
,BE? PICKS ME UP AT FIVE O'C4 ,H] FR
,C\RTNEY IS ) H]1 S ,I H 6SIT 9 ! BACK4
,! TWO ( !M IGNORE ME & BLA2] ON AB :AT
!Y'RE GO+ 6WE> 6! JUNIOR PROM1 : IS "S?+
L SEV5 :OLE MON?S AWAY4 ,I'M GLAD !Y'RE
N TALK+ 6ME S ,I DON'T H 6PRET5D 6C>E AB
_! DRESSES4 ,= D9N] WE H ! LEFTOV]S F !
M1L ,I COOK$ YE/]"D1 & AG1 NOBODY ?ANKS
ME4                                 #AIH

  ,I'M ALR \ ( MY S1T :5 ! F9AL S*OOL
BELL R+S ON ,W$NES"D4 ,ROG] IS WAIT+ =
ME 0MY LOCK] Z PLANN$1 LOOK+ UNCOM=TA#4
,I TOSS MY BOOKS 9SIDE & GRAB MY BACK-
PACK4 ,HE _H TOLD ME 6WE> -=TA# CLO!S1 S
,I'M WE>+ ! LOOSE/ PANTS & SW1T] ,I CD
F9D4 ,I FEEL L ,I'M 9 MY PAJAMAS4
  ,I CLIMB 96! ,C>SONS' M9IVAN & NOTICE
T X / SMELLS FA9TLY ( DOG4 ,ROG] & ,I
DON'T SAY M* ON ! WAY 6! ACUPUNCTURI/1 :
IS F9E 2C ,MRS4 ,C>SON TALKS 5 = "EY"O4
,ALL T'S REQUIR$ ( ME IS AN O3A.NAL
8,OH80 & 8,UH-HUH40 ,%E LETS U (F 9
FRONT (! (FICE & !N GOES 6P>K4 ,A LL
BELL R+S Z WE OP5 ! DOOR1 &! WAIT+ ROOM
IS V W>M & 9VIT+4 ,I RECOGNIZE ! SMELL (
VANILLA 9C5SE 2C ,BE?'S BE5 BURN+ X RE-
C5TLY4 ,"!'S A *>T ON ! WALL %[+ ! PO9TS
": ! NE$LES G IN4 ,I />T 6FEEL A LL
FA9T4
  8,I'M SUPPOS$ 6G "R IN10 ,ROG] SAYS4
8,Y NE$ 6SIT D[N & FILL \ A =M40 ,HE
PO9TS 6A CLIPBO>D ON ! UNO3UPI$ FRONT
DESK4                               #AII
  8,OKAY10 ,I TELL HM1 R1*+ = X4 ,HE
H1DS 96"O (! OP5 (FICE DOORS1 & ,I REMA9
/&+ 9 ! MI4LE (! ROOM4
  8,Y ALL "R80 HE ASKS1 TURN+ SLI<TLY4
  8,UH-HUH10 ,I REPLY4 8,I'M F9E40
  8,X DOESN'T HURT10 HE SAYS4 8,Y DON'T
H 6WORRY40
  8,I'M N WORRI$40
  8,!N :Y HAV5'T Y MOV$ F T SPOT80
  8,NO R1SON40
  ,J !N1 ! DOCTOR -ES \ F ! BACK & U%]S
,ROG] 96! ROOM4 ,%E IS >.D SIXTY YE>S
OLD & LOOKS A LOT L MY LA/ MEMORY (
,GRAMS4 ,? MAKES ME FEEL A LL BETT]4 ,AF
ALL1 ,GRAMS WD N"E HURT ME4
  ,! DOOR CLOSES 2H !M1 &=A SECOND ,I'M
AL"O 9 ! (FICE4 ,= T SECOND ,I S]I\SLY
3SID] L1V+4 ,MAYBE ? IS A BAD IDEA4 ,!N
,MRS4 ,C>SON 5T]S F \TSIDE1 -PLA9+ T
"!'S N 5 P>K+ 9 ? "O-HORSE T[N4 ,! COOL
BREEZE F \TSIDE WAKES ME UP A LL4 ,I SIT
D[N & 2G9 FILL+ \ ! =M4 ,X WD TAKE ME AN
H\R 6ANSW] ALL ^! "QS4 ,I SKIP D[N 6!
BOTTOM ": X ASKS :Y ,I'M "H4 8,E>A*E4
,BO? E>S40 ,MRS4 ,C>SON QUIETLY     #BJJ
FLIPS "? ! PAGES ( "S K9D ( ALT]NATIVE-
H1L+ MAGAZ9E4 ,%E C'T POSSIBLY R1D ANY?+
T QKLY4 ,AF AB FIFTE5 M9UTES1 ,ROG] -ES
\ (! (FICE1 LIMP+ SLI<TLY LESS ?AN 2F4
  8,YR TURN10 ,ROG] SAYS4
  ,I SMILE W1KLY & GIVE HM MY S1T4 ,I
WALK OV] 6! (FICE DOOR & PEEK IN4 ,!
ROOM IS V SMALL1 )A L;G PA4$ TA# 9 ! C5-
T] & %ELVES AL;G ! WALLS4
  8,-E IN1 -E IN10 ! ACUPUNCTURI/ SAYS )
A WAVE4 8,I WON'T BITE40
  ,I /EP 9 ! ROOM & CLOSE ! DOOR 2H ME4
8,I'M SORRY4 ,I'M N V GD >.D DOCTORS1 ,I
GUESS40
  ,%E PATS ! TA# NEXT 6H]1 & ,I SIT ON !
$GE ( X4 8,MY "N IS ,FAI?1 & IF X MAKES
Y FEEL ANY BETT]1 ,I'M N A R1L DOCTOR40
  ,I LOOK UP )A />T4 8,Y'RE N80
  ,%E %AKES H] H1D & TALKS 6ME :ILE %E
LOOKS OV] MY *>T4 8,I AM C]TIFI$ 9 !
PRACTICE ( ACUPUNCTURE4 ,Y "K H[ DOCTORS
/UDY ANATOMY S !Y "K H[ ! BODY "WS80
  ,I NOD4
  8,X'S V SIMIL>4 ,I "K ": ALL ! 5]GY
C5T]S (! BODY 9T]SECT1 & ,I C       #BJA
TELL :5 !Y'RE N FL[+ PROP]LY4 ,T'S H[ ,I
"K ": 6PUT ! NE$LES 9 & H[ 6ROTATE !M4
,D Y "U/&80
  ,I TELL H] ,I D1 EV5 ?\< X ALL S.DS
PRETTY BIZ>RE4 ,ALL ! TALK AB 5]GY FL[
REM9DS ME ( ,BE?'S YOGA /UFF4 ,I C'T BE-
LIEVE ,I'M DO+ "S?+ T ,BE? MI<T AGREE )6
,FAI? DIRECTS ME 6LIE D[N & TELLS ME T =
\R F/ SES.N %E'S ONLY GO+ 6L1VE ! NE$LES
9 = T5 M9UTES4 ,I CLOSE MY EYES S ,I C'T
SEE :AT !Y LOOK L4
  8,T'S GD10 %E SAYS G5TLY4 8,CLOSE YR
EYES & RELAX4 ,H FAI? 9 ,FAI?40 ,%E
LAU<S AT H] JOKE1 & ,I TRY 6SMILE B ,I'M
TOO N]V\S4 ,MY LIPS J TWIT*4
  8,C Y DESCRIBE ! E>A*ES80
  ,MY HE>T S9KS4 ,I _HN'T ?"\ ( ? "P4
8,UM1 J A G5]AL A*E 9 ! MI4LE ( BO? E>S4
,USU,Y J 9 ! MORN+40 ,I'M GO+ 6H 6D M
?AN ?REE GD DE$S = ? "O6
  ,%E NODS ?"\;LLY4 8,I'M ONLY GO+ 6USE
SIX NE$LES ON Y TD4 ,TWO W G AT YR AN-
KLES1 TWO AT YR HIPS1 & TWO 9 YR UPP]
E>S4
  ,J Z ,I WOND] :AT ! HECK ,I'M     #BJB
DO+ "H & H[ ,I C MAKE A GRACE;L EXIT1 ,I
FEEL A P9* ON MY LEFT ANKLE1 !N MY "R4
,B ! P9*ES DON'T G AWAY1 & ,I OP5 MY
EYES SLI<TLY & LOOK D[N4 ,"! >E L;G NEE-
DLES /ICK+ \ ( MY ANKLES6 ,N[ %E'S AT MY
HIP1 & ,I SQUEEZE MY EYES %UT AG4
  8,H[ -E ,I'M N BLE$+80 ,I ASK Z ! NEE-
DLES G 9 MY HIPS4 ,I TRY N 6PICTURE :AT
!Y LOOK L4
  8,! HOLES >E S SMALL T :5 ,I PULL !
NE$LES \1 ! SK9 CLOSES UP 2F ANY BLOOD C
-E \4 ,"S"T Y MI<T GET A LL BRUISE OR A
FEW DROPS ( BLOOD IF ,I HIT A SMALL
VE940 ,%E M/ 2 US$ 6ANSW]+ T "Q4 8,B T'S
N LIKELY40
  ,I'M 2G9N+ 6FEEL A LL WOOZY4 ,T9Y GRAY
BALLS FLOAT 9 FRONT ( MY EYES4 ,FAI?
MOVES ! HAIR AWAY F MY "R E>1 & ,I C AC-
TU,Y HE> ! NE$LE P5ETRAT+ ! C>TILAGE4 ,!
T9Y GRAY BALLS TURN SILV]1 B"R SILV]1 &
N[ "! >E SWIRLS ( YELL[ MIX$ IN4 ,! NEE-
DLE GOES 9 MY O!R E>LOBE1 & SMALL BUB#S1
L MULTICOLOR$ M>#S1 5T] F ! LEFT & ZOOM
9 FRONT ( MY FACE UNTIL ,I LOSE SI<T (
!M4 ,I'VE N"E SE5 COLOR$ %APES 2F   #BJC
)\T S.DS TRI7]+ !M4 ,I C'T 2LIEVE ,I C D
?6 ,! BUB#S >E N[ UNDULAT+ & =M+ ! MO/
9CR$I# /R1KS ( COLOR4
  8,OHHH10 ,I SQU1K1 UNA# 6KEEP X IN4
8,W[ '''0
  8,IS "EY?+ ALL "R80 %E ASKS4
  ,I TRY 6ANSW] B C'T TE> MY FOCUS AWAY
F ! VI.NS4 ,FAI?'S VOICE S.DS V F> AWAY4
8,UH-HUH10 ,I "SH[ MANAGE 6RESPOND4 ,I
=CE MYF 6/OP SMIL+ S %E DOESN'T ?9K ,I'M
A LOON4 ,! WOMAN :O WROTE ! >TICLE DE-
SCRIB$ SEE+ ! BUB#S1 B H] DESCRIP;N
DIDN'T D X JU/ICE4 ,%E M/ N H SE5 :AT
,I'M SEE+4
  8,IF Y'RE OKAY ) ?1 !N NEXT "T ,I'LL
USE ! ELECTRIC CURR5T )! NE$LES40
  ,I NOD1 / VAGUELY AW>E (! P9*+ 9 !
SAME WAY T ,I'M VAGUELY AW>E T ,I'M N
AL"O 9 ! ROOM4 ,ALL T MATT]S IS ! 4PLAY
2F ME4
  ,!N SU45LY X'S G"O4 ,FAI? PULLS \ !
LA/ NE$LE & RUBS ! SPOTS )A LL O9T;T4 ,I
OP5 MY EYES B DON'T MOVE4 ,I FEEL L ,I J
AWOKE F "S AMAZ+ DR1M4
  8,Y C LIE "H =A FEW M9UTES IF Y   #BJD
L10 %E (F]S4 8,YR .CHI 0 ACTIVAT$1 &
Y'LL NE$ 6REL1SE X SL[LY40
  8,MY :AT 0 :AT80 ,I ASK1 / />+ UP AT !
CEIL+4
  8,YR .CHI10 %E REP1TS1 8WAS TURN$ ON4
.,CHI IS ! ,*9ESE ^W = \R 9T]NAL 5]GY4
,! ACUPUNCTURE NE$LES DIRECT X >.D YR
BODY 6HELP Y H1L40
  ,I'M AB 6ASK H] H[ SOON ,I C -E BACK
:5 ,I NOTICE "! IS AN 9DIST9CT BR[NI%-
P9K CL\D >.D H] UPP] BODY4 ,I GL.E AT !
CEIL+1 !N BACK AT H]4 ,X'S / "!4 ,I SIT
UP & RUB MY EYES4 ,%E MOVES ACR ! ROOM
6OP5 ! DOOR1 &! HAZE GOES ) H]1 B X AL
TRAILS 2H4 ,I C / SEE A BR[NI%-P9K GL[
": %E 0 F/ /&+4
  ,I =CE MYF 6GET (F ! TA# & FOLL[ H] &
H] TRAIL+ CL\D 96! WAIT+ ROOM4 ,ROG] & 8
MOM LOOK UP4 ,ROG] IS 5CAS$ 9 A TOMATO-
R$ GL[1 & 8 "M IS YELL[4 ,S9CE ,ROG] IS
A PURPLE "N1 X IS V UNN]V+ 6SEE HM 9 R$4
  ,I TRY N 6/>E AT "EY"O :ILE ,I WAIT =
,FAI? 6TELL ME H[ L;G X W TAKE UNTIL MY
CHI SETTLES BACK D[N AG4
  8,"EY"O'S DI6]5T10 %E SAYS1       #BJE
/ICK+ MY *>T ON A CR[D$ %ELF4 8,PROBABLY
A FEW H\RS40
  ,ROG] JO9S ME AT ! DESK1 & WE S*$ULE
\R APPO9T;TS = NEXT WEEK4 ,I C'T HELP
WAT*+ ! R$ HAZE SWIRL SLI<TLY >.D 8 H1D4
,T9Y T5DRILS FLOAT AWAY F HM Z HE TALKS
6ME4 ,Z WE WALK 6! C> ,I LOOK CLOSELY AT
! P PASS+ U4 ,"EY"O HAS _! [N MI/Y AURA
>.D !M4 ,"S P'S AURAS >E V ACTIVE1 ) T5-
DRILS & BALLS %OOT+ (F ( !M & L&+ ON O!R
P4 ,H[ >E ^? P DO+ T8 ,H[ -E NOBODY NO-
TICES ?8 ,MY LEGS FEEL L RU2]1 & ,I'M ON
! V]GE ( TOT,Y FR1K+ \4
  ,9 ! 3F9$ SPACE (! C> ! COLOR CL\DS >E
B"R]4 ,!Y SEEM 6FILL ALL ! AVAILA#
SPACE4 ,F ! PASS5G] S1T1 ,ROG] ASKS ME
:AT ,I ?"\ ( MY SES.N4 ,8 VOICE S.DS
MU6L$1 Z IF X'S BURI$ "U LAY]S ( R$4
  8,X 0 AMAZ+10 ,I TELL HM1 MY VOICE
CRACK+4 8,?ANK Y S M* = BR++ ME40
  8,X 0 AMAZ+80 HE ASKS1 N HID+ ! SUR-
PRISE F 8 VOICE4
  ,OOPS4 8,I M1N1 X 0 F9E40 ,I L[] MY
VOICE 6A :ISP]4 8,ROG]1 D Y "E SEE ANY?+
AFW8 ,9 ! AIR80                     #BJF
  8,NO10 HE SAYS4 8,L :AT80
  ,S X'S J ME AF ALL4 8,N"E M9D4 ,?ANKS
AG = BR++ ME40
  8,NO PRO#M40 ,HE TURNS 6FACE ! W9D[4
,I C SEE 9 ! REFLEC;N (! GLASS T HE'S
BLU%+4 ,8 CL\D GR[S B"R] & %IMM]S =A FEW
SECONDS4 ,I />E 9 AWE Z A L;G T5DRIL
W9DS XF (F ( HM1 L&S ON MY %\LD]1 & IN-
/ANTLY 4APPE>S 96MY [N GRE5 HAZE4 ,I
LOOK D[N AT MYF4 ,MY [N GRE5 HAZE6 ,I H
X TOO6 ,I _HN'T ?"\ ( T4 ,A FEEL+ ( JU-
BIL,N SPR1DS "? ME4 ,I AM SEE+ 9VISI#
?+S6
  ,BE?'S FR ,BR5T'S NEW R$ SPORTS C> IS
9 \R DRIVEWAY1 S ,MRS4 ,C>SON LETS ME (F
AT ! CURB4 ,MO/ P :O LIVE \ "H H TRUCKS
S9CE "S ( ^! ROADS C 2 PRETTY BUMPY4
,MAYBE ,BR5T ?9KS A SPORTS C> MAT*ES 8
SOAP-OP]A "N4 ,BE? C'T /OP TALK+ AB !
C>1 EV5 ?\< %E & ,BR5T >E 8J FRS40
  ,I ?ANK BO? ,MRS4 ,C>SON & ,ROG] AG1
PROFUSELY1 & PRACTIC,Y SKIP ACR ! LAWN4
,BE? & ,BR5T WALK \ ! FRONT DOOR :ILE
,I'M / A FEW Y>DS AWAY4 ,I DUCK 2H ! BIG
OAK TREE & WAT* !M4 ,BE?'S          #BJG
YELL[I%-BR[N GL[ IS V SIMIL> 6,BR5T'S
GOLD5-BR[N "O4 ,BR5T SAYS "S?+ 6,BE? 9 A
T1S+ VOICE1 & H] COLORS GL[ EV5 B"R] & D
A %IMM]+ LL D.E L ,ROG]'S _H D"O 9 ! C>4
,I CDN'T HE> :AT ,BR5T SD1 B ,BE? M/ H
LIK$ X4 ,T9Y T5DRILS BR1K (F F H] COLOR
CL\D & BL5D ) HIS4 ,MY HE>T B1TS FA/] Z
,I WAT* ?4 ,I FEEL L ,I'M WAT*+ A SCI;E-
FIC;N MOVIE4 ,I GET ! V R1L FEEL+ T ,BE?
& ,BR5T >E MO/ DEF9ITELY M ?AN FRS6 ,!Y
GET 96,BR5T'S C> & PULL AWAY1 N"E NOTIC+
ME4 ,I'M HAPPY = H]4 ,I'M HAPPY = "EY"O
& "EY?+--ALL ! CR1TURES ON ! PLANET4
,ADAM IS N GO+ 62LIEVE ?6
  ,I SKIP 96! H\SE FEEL+ L ,I'M MAGIC4
,I /EP "R OV] ,ZACK1 :O'S SITT+ 9 !
HALLWAY SURR.D$ 0HIS "E-EXP&+ -IC COL-
LEC;N4 ,8 SILV] CL\D TW9KLES HAPPILY4
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