Odd Girl In Read Free

hair protectively. “The same amount of time as always.”
    Dad raised an eyebrow. “Which is …”
    â€œForever.” I couldn’t help chiming in. “I can get dressed and eat breakfast before you’re done.”
    â€œI can get dressed, eat, and brush my teeth,” said Nick.
    Parker glared at both of us, and Dad cleared his throat. “I think you could use a little more time management.”
    â€œAnd a little less hair gel,” I added.
    Parker lunged for me, but Dad pushed him back into his seat.
    â€œThe class is every Tuesday and Thursday, and you start this week,” said Dad. “But it’s not enough to just show up.” He looked at each of us in turn, to make sure he had our full attention. “You have to pass the class. All of you.”
    Seeing the no-nonsense expression on Dad’s face, Nick raised his hand. “I’m not sure—”
    Dad stopped him with a motion. “All of you pass, or all of you fail. Like I said before, you need to learn to work together.”
    â€œWhat happens if we fail?” asked Parker.
    Dad sighed and leaned against his desk. “You know, I’m not asking you to do the impossible,” he said. “But if you can’t get your acts together for even a few weeks …”
    Nick, Parker, and I leaned forward anxiously.
    â€œI’m pulling you from public school and enrolling you at St. Ignatius.”
    The collective gasp from my brothers and me nearly sucked all the oxygen out of the room.
    â€œBut they’re really strict!” I said. “I’ll never get out of the principal’s office.”
    â€œAnd I’m starting on the JV football team this year,” said Nick. “That’s big for a freshman. St. Ignasty doesn’t even have a team.”
    Dad didn’t say anything, just waited expectantly for Parker’s complaint.
    â€œIf I have to change schools, I’ll lose Ashley,” he said, shoulders sagging so much that I almost felt sorry for him. Between my two brothers, it was the annoyingly smart one who had the steady girlfriend. And she was alive … and human … and even pretty.
    I turned toward Dad and gave him my most desperate, most pleading pout. “Please don’t make us do this.”
    Dad pressed his fingertips together, a sign he was going into Prof Mode. “To quote the great Lao Tzu, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ This one,” he nodded at the pamphlet, “is yours.”

Chapter 2
    O n Monday, when Nick and I went down -stairs for breakfast, we found a folded sheet of paper waiting on each of our plates. We looked at Dad, who smiled pleasantly and sipped his coffee.
    â€œGood morning,” he said.
    I lifted my plate, letting the paper slide off. “You know, in some countries these flat discs are used to hold food.”
    Nick picked up the fallen page. “If we have your paperwork, does that mean the bacon’s in a filing cabinet?”
    â€œThe bacon is on the stove, my hilarious children,” Dad said. “Those are life assessment surveys for Champs.”
    Nick unfolded the paper and I read over his shoulder. It was divided into three sections: Physical, Intellectual,and Social. Under each category were several questions.
    â€œWhy do we have to fill these out?” I asked.
    â€œSo your Champs coach can see where you need improvement,” said Dad. “According to Ms. Success—”
    I glanced up from the paper. “Who?”
    Dad sighed, as if dreading repeating the words. “Ms. Success, your Champs coach.”
    I looked at Nick and the two of us burst out laughing.
    â€œAll right, that’s enough,” said Dad. “Anyway, Ms….” He paused, seeing the gleefully expectant looks on our faces. “ That woman says a balanced life has equal strength of body, mind, and spirit.”
    I read over the physical