Gifted: Finders Keepers Read Online Free Page A

something behind her determinedly cheerful expression.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked.
    His parents looked at each other.
    ‘Is Jack in worse shape than me? Is he going to play tonight?’
    His father took his hand. ‘Son . . . you have to be strong. We have something difficult to tell you.’
    Ken had a terrible feeling he knew what they were about to say. That he’d never play soccer again. He steeled himself to deal with it.
    ‘What is it, Dad?’
    ‘Jack didn’t make it, Ken. He died.’
    Ken hadn’t prepared himself for that.
    He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried in front of his parents. Probably not since he was five or six. But he felt absolutely no shame in crying now. Jack was his best friend, they’d been buddies since they were little kids. And now he was gone.
    His parents stayed with him and tried to comfort him. Then a nurse came in to give him another shot.
    ‘This will help you sleep,’ she said.
    He didn’t want to sleep. He wanted to think about Jack. He wanted to stay awake and ask questions. Why had Jack died and he’d survived? Was he to blame for the collision? But the medication was stronger than he was.
    Much later, he opened his eyes to a room that was still dark. He could just make out the flowers and balloons that friends and family had sent. He was alone, and he was glad to be alone, because now he had a chance to think.
    What happened? How did it happen? Had Jack suffered? And where was Jack now . . .
    He hadn’t spoken out loud and he didn’t expect an answer, but he got one.
    I’m here .
    He didn’t see anyone, but he’d know that voice anywhere. ‘Jack?’
    Yeah, it’s me .
    Relief flooded over him. ‘So you’re not dead.’
    Oh, I’m dead, all right. Bummer, huh?
    So this was a dream. It had to be a dream. Ken didn’t believe in ghosts.
    In case you’re wondering, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. You know how I never learned to fall right. I broke my neck. I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
    ‘You didn’t deserve to die,’ Ken murmured.
    Whatever. Anyway, just thought you’d like to know, it wasn’t your fault.
    ‘OK. Thanks for telling me.’
    What a weird dream, Ken thought. I’ve never had one like this before. It feels so real.
    This isn’t a dream.
    ‘How’d you know what I was thinking?’
    I don’t know. I just did. I can’t explain. I’m not really talking either. I mean, dead people don’t talk, do we? I don’t know – it’s like you and I are communicating with our minds.
    ‘Oh. I don’t get it.’
    Look, I don’t understand it either. But it’s kind of cool, huh?
    ‘Yeah, I guess.’
    You must be tired.
    ‘Yeah, kind of.’
    Go back to sleep. We’ll talk later.
    ‘Right.’
    Jack’s voice faded away and another dream began. This one was a lot easier to deal with. He was a judge in a Miss California beauty pageant. Blondes in bikinis sauntered past him. They were all gorgeous, and he had no idea how he’d pick out the prettiest.
    When he opened his eyes again, that perky girl in the pink pinafore was in his room. ‘Have a nice nap?’ she chirped. ‘It’s lunchtime.’ Once again, she set up a tray on his bed.
    He watched as she left the room. Actually, she was kind of cute. Not like the Miss California beauties, of course.
    Yeah, I know what you mean. Those California girls – man, they were hot ! There was this one on the beach – I know you’ll think I’m bragging, but I swear she was looking at me . . .
    That was when Ken had to accept the fact that his conversation with Jack wasn’t a dream.
    It was a nightmare, and it was just beginning.

 
C HAPTER T HREE

    A MANDA WAS USUALLY PRETTY good at hiding her feelings. She’d learned from several bad experiences not to let herself care too much about other people and their problems. And when she felt sorry for herself, or depressed, or angry, or anything like that, she didn’t let it show. She was Amanda Beeson, Queen Bee, the prettiest,