Going Wild Read Free Page B

always?”
    â€œThese first few days I will—I’ll pick you both up from school until we get the hang of things. After that you’ll ride the bus home sometimes, and Charlie will be able to walk,” said Dr. Wilde. He disappeared under the desk again. “I’m teaching evening classes twice a week, so some days you might come home from school and be alone for a few hours, unless Mom is home. But you two are old enough to handle it.”
    â€œHome alone,” said Andy, nodding. “I like it.”
    Charlie crossed her arms in front of her, a look of consternation on her face. It felt wrong, her father going to work, especially when everything else was so unsettled. Who was going to be home to cook and keep their schedules organized . . . and go to their after-school events? “So I’m stuck babysitting?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t need a babysitter,” Andy said. “Besides, you might not be here much either if you make the soccer team. I’ll take care of myself just fine.” He seemed very eager to do so.
    â€œIt won’t be every day,” said their father. “And it’s only for three months. If I like teaching and it’s working for our family, Ican try to stay on. And if I don’t, I can quit.”
    â€œGreat,” Charlie said icily. “Can I say the same thing about living here?”
    Andy scowled at her. “Why are you being so annoying?”
    Charlie shrugged. “Clearly you wouldn’t understand what it’s like to have friends and a life back home.”
    â€œI already have one friend here,” Andy said smugly. “Met him this morning while you were still sleeping. He lives down the street and is letting me use his old longboard until we can unpack mine.” Andy turned back to his dad. “Your job sounds cool, Dad. I’ve always wanted to have the whole house to myself. Does my school end before Charlie’s? I hope so. Hey . . . what exactly is biology again?”
    Charlie sighed and went to her room.

CHAPTER 4
First Impressions
    C harlie’s school was in walking distance, but she wasn’t sure how to get there yet, so she definitely didn’t mind having her dad drive her, especially the first day. She was so nervous she hadn’t slept well or eaten much breakfast. As they rode along, she stared out the window, ignoring Andy, who chattered like a chipmunk in the backseat.
    Her dad stopped at her school first. When they pulled up to the drop-off spot by the big Summit Junior High School sign, Charlie’s hands began sweating. She wiped them on her jeans and picked up her backpack.
    Dr. Wilde leaned sideways so he could kiss her on the head like he’d done every day of her entire school career. Charlie stiffened and pretended not to see. She opened the door and put one foot onto the curb. “Bye.”
    Her dad blinked, then sat up straight, trying to hide the hurt look on his face. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go in with you?”
    â€œYeah,” Charlie lied. She looked back at Andy. “Good luck, squirt face,” she said. “Don’t get in trouble on your first day.”
    Andy grinned and slapped the back of her seat. “Don’t be annoying on your first day.”
    Charlie managed a weak smile for his sake. He had to be at least a little nervous too. She got out of the car, then walked slowly to her doom.
    When she reached the school steps, she stopped and glanced over her shoulder. Her dad was still sitting there, waiting until she went inside. Charlie felt very alone.
    It’s not like she had to go in without him—but things were different now. She was twelve, not a baby, and this was junior high. Charlie had seen the campus, and she tried telling herself it was no big deal—her sixth-grade class in Chicago was bigger than this entire school. But now she wavered. This was harder than she’d expected it would be.