Something Like Summer Read Online Free Page B

relationship had confirmed his heterosexuality and made it
possible to deal with the experimental phase that was now behind
him. No doubt getting laid regularly helped with this. Ben was
mildly disappointed, but happy to have a friend to make an
otherwise boring class more entertaining.
    Fifth-period choir meant
not only being with Allison again, but being surrounded by people
he had known for years. Choir was made up of either weird artistic
types or religious sorts who also sang in church. Despite the two
different backgrounds, everyone got along and the atmosphere was
always relaxed.
    Their teacher, Mrs.
Hammond, had enjoyed minor success on stage earlier in her life and
also taught drama. She took singing and acting very seriously, but
was also a very disorganized person who rarely bothered to direct
the class. Today she seemed as reluctant to start the school year
as her students and was fine with letting the hour pass without her
interference. Ben and Allison spent this time catching up with
everyone they hadn’t seen since spring and exchanging juicy bits of
gossip that had occurred over the summer.
    The final class of the day
was science. Ben walked to it slowly, feeling like Charlie from the
Willy Wonka movie. This was the last possible chance to have a
class with Tim, his last shot at a golden ticket and the amazing
behind-the-scenes factory tour that came with it. In his mind he
was pulling back that candy bar wrapper as slowly and carefully as
he would like to undress Tim. He stepped into the door just as the
bell rang and stood there, waiting for his dreams to become
reality.
    “ Hello?” complained
someone who had watched way too many valley girl movies before
pushing past him. “I swear!”
    That left one desk for Ben.
He took his seat, still looking around for any hint of silver eyes
and dark hair. Nothing. Nada.
    Ah, well. At least he still
had the chocolate to enjoy. The teacher of this class, Ms. Hughes,
was the same he had last year. She was one of those rare teachers
who were considered cool by her students. Some teachers tried too
hard by putting up posters of the latest music bands and ineptly
interjecting slang into their lectures. Ms. Hughes wasn’t like
that. She was just herself--a middle-aged spinster who had a
passion for science and managed to transfer her enthusiasm to those
she was teaching, usually through innovative and fun experiments.
The topic of the day was pheromones, which had most of the class
laughing, but not Ben, whose thoughts were on the scent of sweat on
the evening air as Tim ran to him.
     
    __________
     

Chapter 3
     
    After suffering a week of plastic
green seats and hyperactive freshmen, Ben decided to give up on the
bus. The mechanics were holding Allison’s car hostage for another
ten days while parts were ordered, and Ben couldn’t take the
humiliation of being the only junior travelling by bus anymore. He
was locking his bike up when Allison came running over from where
her father had dropped her off.
    “ I found him!” she
declared.
    “ Who?” Ben said as
casually as possible, knowing damn well who she meant.
    “ Johnny Depp,” Allison
retorted. “Who do you think I mean? I tried calling you last night
but it just rang and rang.”
    Ben made a mental note to
verbally abuse his sister for ignoring call waiting. “So where is
he?”
    “ Tied up in my basement
and waiting for you,” Allison said, licking her lips indecently.
“You wish. I just saw him in passing after sixth period yesterday,
so at least we know that he goes to this school.”
    Allison spotting Tim must
have broken the curse, because Ben saw him that very day. To be
fair, the renewed hope inspired Ben to take long detours down
different hallways, but the strategy paid off. On the way to lunch
he saw Tim leaning against a wall, talking to two other
students.
    Unfortunately they were two
of the biggest assholes in school. Bryce Hunter was a huge jock who
had been the size of an ox for as