Dreamrider Read Online Free

head away from this place rather than towards it. Be that as it may, Michael is here, for good or ill, and we need to allocate him a mentor, someone to show him around, point out where the smokers go to get away from teachers, usher him in the direction of the culinary centrepiece of this wonderful place of learning, the canteen, and generally show him what’s what. I need a volunteer. Lauren. Thank you very much.’
    The class hadn’t moved and there were certainly no volunteers, but I could see this was going to be Mr Atkins’s style. He sighed theatrically and led me towards a group of girls at the back. One of the girls had a small smile on her face. Her eyes told me she liked Mr Atkins.
    â€˜Lauren, my dear,’ said Mr Atkins. ‘You do understand that when I was referring to losers and delinquents, you were the exception to the rule, a shining light in the otherwise bleak assemblage of those who pass for students in this place. Lauren, meet Michael. Michael, this is Lauren Moss. One of Millways High School’s finest. Lauren, take care of him. He seems a decent boy and we don’t want him corrupted too soon, now do we? Michael, I leave you in Lauren’s tender care.’
    Mr Atkins winked at both of us and disappeared back to the front of the class. I shuffled from foot to foot, while Lauren looked me up and down. She didn’t seem impressed.
    â€˜So what do you need to know, Michael?’ Lauren said. She said it pleasantly, but there was an edge to her voice, a hint of irritation. Even as she spoke, her gaze switched back to her friends.
    â€˜I dunno,’ I said. ‘I don’t know what I need to know.’
    â€˜Oh,’ said Lauren. She wasn’t listening. Suddenly I made a decision. It was easier this way.
    â€˜I’ll be okay,’ I said. ‘Go back to your friends, if you want.’
    â€˜You sure?’
    She didn’t try to hide her eagerness.
    â€˜Yeah.’
    â€˜I can meet you at recess, if you want. Show you around.’ She was attempting a trade-off so she’d feel better.
    â€˜Nah. I’ll be right.’
    â€˜Well, if you’re sure.’
    So she returned to her friends, while I shuffled to a space at the back of the class and sat, gazing out the window. I didn’t even notice when someone else approached from my right. A shadow fell and I glanced up.
    It was the girl from outside. The girl with the kind eyes. I risked a closer look, darting my eyes between her face and the tiles on the floor. Her dark hair came to her jawline and then swept up and under. She was plump. Nothing like my size, of course, but definitely rounded. Her eyes were deep and brown, filled with kindness. It was all I could do not to stare at them. I glanced back at the floor, briefly taking in a nose that was slightly too wide and a mouth that turned down at the edges. She was not pretty, not really. But there was a warmth about her.
    I took all this in quickly. I even risked checking out the classroom. The other students had returned to their conversations, but I could tell by their sidelong glances that they were weighing me up, so to speak. A couple of the boys were leaning in to each other and laughing.
    The girl sat next to me and smiled.
    â€˜Hi, again. I’m Leah McIntyre. Pleased to meet you.’
    â€˜Michael Terny.’
    She smiled at me for a moment, as if unsure what to say next.
    â€˜Phew. You’re a big one, Michael,’ she said finally, but her eyes gave the true story. She wasn’t being nasty. She was being honest. I liked that.
    â€˜Yeah,’ I said. ‘Fattest kid you’ve ever seen, probably.’
    â€˜Yep,’ she said. ‘And I’ve seen a few. Not that I’ve got anything to shout about.’ She patted herself on the stomach. ‘A little too fond of the cakes.’ She laughed. ‘Well, it’s more of a love affair, really.’
    I smiled. I knew exactly what she