Locker 13 Read Online Free

stopped and turned around with a grin on her face. “You won’t believe it, Luke. I didn’t have time to study. I had to guess on every question. And guess what? I got a hundred! I got them all right!”
    â€œThat’s excellent!” I called. I’d studied for that test for a solid week, and I got a seventy-four.
    I made my way into the computer lab and waved to Mrs. Coffey. She was hunched over her desk, sorting through a tall stack of disks. “Hey, how’s it going?” she called.
    The computer lab is my second home. Ever since Mrs. Coffey learned that I can repair computers, and upgrade them, and install things in them, I’ve been her favorite student.
    And I have to admit, I really like her too. Whenever I don’t have basketball practice, I check in at the computer lab to talk with her and see what needs to be fixed.
    â€œLuke, how is your animation project coming along?” she asked, setting down the disks. She brushed back her blond hair. She has the nicest smile. Everyone likes her because she always seems to enjoy her classes so much.
    â€œI’m almost ready to show it to you,” I said. I sat down in front of a computer and started to remove the back. “I think it’s really cool. And it’s going much faster now. I found a new way to move pixels around.”
    Her eyes grew wide. “Really?”
    â€œIt’s a very cool invention,” I said, carefully sliding the insides from the computer. “The program is pretty simple. I think a lot of animators might like it.”
    I set down my screwdriver and gazed across the room at her. “Maybe you could help me. You know. Show it to people. Get it copyrighted or something.”
    â€œMaybe,” she said. She stood up, smoothing the hem of her blue sweater over her jeans. She came up behind me and watched as I removed the old modem. “You’re really skillful, Luke. I think you’re going to make a lot of money with computers some day.”
    â€œYeah. Maybe,” I replied awkwardly. “Thanks.” I didn’t really know what to say. Mrs. Coffey is so awesome. She is the only teacher who really encourages me and thinks I’m somebody.
    â€œI can’t wait to show you my animation,” I said.
    â€œWell … I have some big news,” she said suddenly. I turned and caught the excited smile on her face. “You’re the first person to hear it, Luke. Can you keep a secret?”
    â€œYeah. Okay,” I said.
    â€œI just got the most wonderful job! At a really big software company in Chicago. I’m leaving school next week!”
    The next afternoon I couldn’t check in at the computer lab. I had to hurry to the swimming pool behind the gym.
    Swimming is my other big sport. I spent all last summer working with an instructor at our local pool. He was fast enough to make the Olympic tryouts a few years ago. And he really improved my stroke and showed me a lot of secrets for getting my speed up.
    So I looked forward to the tryouts for the Squires swim team. I couldn’t wear my lucky swimsuit because it didn’t fit anymore. But I wore my lucky shirt to school that day. And as I changed for the pool, I silently counted to seven three times.
    As I left the locker room, I heard shouts and laughter echoing off the tile pool walls. Feeling my heart start to race, I stepped into the steamy air of the indoor pool. The floor was puddled with warm water. I inhaled the sharp chlorine smell. I love that smell!
    Then I bent down and kissed the top of the diving board. I know. It sounds weird. But it’s just something I always do.
    I turned to the pool. Three or four guys were already in the water. At the shallow end I saw Stretch. He was violently splashing two other guys. He had them cornered at the end of the pool. His big hands slapped the water, sending up tall waves over them. They pleaded with him to give them a break.
    Coach Swanson