Spell Check Read Online Free Page B

umbrella started to quiver. Maybe it was just from the cold.
    Salem shifted her gaze to me. “Try Sage Mage on North Broadway. It’s across from the skate park where all the loser jocks hang out.”
    Parvani’s mouth tightened, and I knew she was thinking the same thing as me. Jordan practices there.
    Black eyeliner ran down Salem’s rain-slick cheeks, giving her a vampirish look. She tugged on Einstein’s leash. “I better get him inside.”
    “Sure. Thanks.” I met Baby’s gaze. “Let’s go.”
    A small gale pushed us homeward. Baby splashed through the gutter, oblivious. We were almost home when Parvani said, “Your friend helped us a lot.”
    “Salem’s not my friend. I hardly know her.”
    “Anyway,” Parvani continued, “tomorrow I get a break from BMCR.”
    “BMCR?”
    “Building my college résumé. My service project has been postponed because of the rain, and I don’t have piano until one o’clock. So I’ll ask my mother to take us to Sage Mage.”
    “All I have is two dollars.”
    Parvani puffed. “We’re talking about my mother.”
    “Right.” One thing I know about Mrs. Hyde-Smith—she’s never flinched at a price tag.
    “Let’s make a list of everything we’ll need.” Parvani wore her project face.
    “Wouldn’t it just be easier for you to talk to Jordan?”
    Parvani threw me a withering look.
    “Or not.” Maybe I could watch a Shay Stewart movie while Parvani did her research.
    ****
    The next morning, after a breakfast of granola and orange juice, Parvani and I were waiting in the entry when bad news arrived in a shiny new Lexus. Her father, Dr. Hyde-Smith, sat behind the wheel, and the Twin Terrors were in the back seat.
    “Oh no,” Parvani moaned. “Mom must have gone to the spa.”
    Mrs. Hyde-Smith was what Nana would call a high maintenance woman. Parvani liked to compare her mother to Buddha—when he lived lavishly in a palace and had yet to gain enlightenment.
    The cracked entry tile crunched behind us. “Is there a problem?”
    I jumped. “Mom, quit sneaking up on us!”
    Parvani thumped her forehead against one of the narrow vertical windows flanking the front door. “Dad’s driving. Now we’ll never get to go to Sage Mage.”
    Dr. Hyde-Smith stomped out of the car. Water from yesterday’s rain still beaded the car’s waxed hood. Being a dermatologist in a town filled with teens paid well.
    The twins started slugging each other.
    “I’ll take you,” Mom offered.
    Parvani hugged her. “Oh, thank you, Ms. O’Reilly.”
    “Let’s check with your dad.” Mom opened the door before Dr. Hyde-Smith could ring the bell.
    Parvani launched herself at her father. “Dad! I just remembered I have to buy some stuff for Social Science. It’s due on Monday.”
    I rolled my eyes. Right. Social Science.
    Muffled shouts sounded from the back of the Lexus. Dr. Hyde-Smith scowled at the twins. “Not now, Parvani. I have to take your brothers to get their hair cut. Maybe later.”
    “I have piano later.”
    “I can take the girls,” Mom said. “When would you like Parvani home?”
    Parvani’s dad tapped his fingers against his thighs. “I may be a while with the twins…”
    “Why don’t I keep Parvani for an hour or so and then drop her off by noon?”
    “Please, Dad. This is my only morning off.”
    “All right,” Dr. Hyde-Smith relented, pulling out his wallet. “Here, you’ll need some money.” He peeled off two twenties and handed them to Parvani.
    “Thanks, Dad!” She gave him a kiss and snatched the bills from his hand.
    Mom and I exchanged a look. I would have to clean out the dishwasher, make my bed, and help make dinner for two months to earn forty dollars.
    “See you later.” Dr. Hyde-Smith squared his shoulders, exhaled, and then headed for the car.
    Mom closed the door behind him. “Does this have something to do with the book you two bought?”
    My cheeks heated, but I nodded.
    “I thought it was for History.”
    “World History,”