Page 7 (2/2)

I fear her words will feel like the cavities I get froar

“Hoould you feel about trying a new school?”

Yep She’s drilling without nu first I’ve attended four different schools Every educational psychologist and child developured out I’ifted, but not in a typical way Senius

My random recollections of historical events, that are not at all noteworthy, arefluent Spanish I enjoy talking with adults, but I fit in just fine with enerals Even nas that happened in Madison, Wisconsin, a few years before I was born seems to be my specialty

“Move? Again?” I sigh as we pass the UW-Madison Arboretuo in the summer

“We just want to find a good fit for you”

“I fit fine where I’m at”

“But they’re not challenging you enough”

I shrug “What does itme, then I don’t have to do as much homework as my friends”

“It’s wasted potential” Dad shoots me a quick look in the rearview ht over my outburst

“Potential means—” Mom starts to explain

“Possibilities, prospects, future success I get it” I’rade have heard the word potential before It’s not exactly a word I’d see on my word of the day calendar

“You knoayze, the Gibsons are sending Boomer to a private school only an hour from our house If we send you there, you’d already have one friend”

Boomer Another hideous nah I like him, but not the way he likes me At least I don’t think so He carries my backpack to the bus for me after school, but he also snaps my bra in class The bra I don’t need Myone after several ofthere yet Still, I wear it to feel like all of the other girls, and apparently Boo math every day means he likes me At least that’s the story my mom tries to sell

Not buying it

“I like er then slide it through my lips curled between my teeth

Mo about hair near thereflex to the point of vo, and then she can’t eat that type of food for months Dad always threatens to plant a hair in the ice cream she likes to sneak—his ice cream

“You’ll be in e The transition will be easier” Dad nods as if he only needs to convince himself and my mom

“I like my friends”

“You’llat the hair in my mouth

I pull it out and flip it over my shoulder “Why can’t I just be normal and you be happy with that?”

“Swayze, if you just give this a try, I proain, even if it doesn’t work out” Moht in her throat, probably bile fro hair in my mouth

One last move One last school I’ll do it But I won’t believe it’s truly the last

CHAPTER TWO

10 Years Later

“Swayze, what ave up on you?” Dr Greyson asks

Carlton Greyson That is a well-thought-out naent

My father died of a heart attack last year I’ested we use some of his life insurance ested a trip to Costa Rica She decided on shrinks

Again, I’ h a handful of psychologists and psychiatrists, looking for someone who doesn’t annoy me

This is my first visit with Dr Greyson It’s too early to make any conclusions, but his name doesn’t piss me off so there’s that