help. ?I think I should get a pretty good athletic scholarship for
track. I got much faster over the summer. Really.?
Mr. Hergeshimer stared at her earnest face begging him to let it
go, and finally conceded. ?All right. But if you feel like you need
more of an academic challenge, you are welcome to join my AP
English class at any point this semester.?
25/395
?Thank you, Mr. Hergeshimer. If I feel like I can handle AP, I?ll
come to you,? Helen said, grateful to be let off the hook.
As she went back to her desk, it occurred to her that she had to
keep Hergie and her father away from each other at all cost. She
didn?t want them comparing notes and deciding that she needed to
be in special classes and go out for special awards. Even the
thought gave her a bellyache. Why couldn?t they all just ignore her?
Secretly, Helen had always felt she was different, but she thought
she had done a pretty good job of hiding it her whole life. Apparently,
without realizing it, she?d been sending out hints of that buried
freak inside of her. She had to try to keep her head down, but
she wondered how she was going to do that when she kept getting
taller and taller every damn day.
?What?s up?? Claire asked as soon as Helen returned to her seat.
?Just another motivational moment from Hergie. He doesn?t
think I?m applying myself,? Helen said as breezily as she could.
?You don?t apply yourself. You never do your work,? Zach replied,
more offended than he should have been.
?Shut it, Zach,? Claire said, crossing her arms belligerently. She
turned and faced Helen. ?It?s true, though, Lennie,? she told her
apologetically. ?You never do your work.?
?Yeah, yeah. You can both shut it,? Helen said, chuckling. The
bell rang and she gathered her things. Matt Millis gave her a smile