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to be the one with the crazy mom?
    Wait. What? Nurse Carmichael wasn’t talking. Her lips weren’t even moving.
    Olivia decided she was still hallucinating. She tried to sit up, but Nurse Carmichael put a hand on her shoulder.
    “Don’t get up yet,” Nurse Carmichael said. And then she thought, If she passes out again, I’m going to call an ambulance.
    Olivia did not want an ambulance to come get her at school. Talk about embarrassing. “I’m fine,” she said quickly. “Please don’t call an ambulance.”
    Nurse Carmichael blinked. Did I say that out loud?
    No, Olivia realized. But she didn’t want to admit that. Because if she actually had heard it in her mind, Nurse Carmichael would definitely call an ambulance. And a shrink.
    “Has this ever happened before?” Nurse Carmichael asked.
    Had she ever heard voices in her head? No, she must have meant the fainting. “When I was younger,” Olivia said.
    “Let’s go into my office,” Nurse Carmichael said. Maybe I should call an ambulance. If I don’t and she faints again, that crazy Jennifer Byrne will sue. I’ll lose my job! I’ll have to go back to stripping!
    Agh! That was way more info than Olivia wanted to know about Nurse Carmichael.
    Olivia rubbed her throbbing temples. No way had Nurse Carmichael been a stripper. Olivia was hearing voices in her head. Hallucinations. They would go away soon. Wouldn’t they? Yes. They would. Of course they would.
    “Would you like me to call your mom?” Nurse Carmichael asked. I’d rather lick a cactus needle. No, I’d rather stick a cactus needle in my eye.
    “Why don’t I just rest for an hour?” Olivia asked. “There’s no reason to bother my mom yet. You know how panicked she gets. It’s almost lunch. I’ll rest in your office until then and we’ll see how I’m doing, okay?”
    “Oh. Okay.” Nurse Carmichael stood up. “Let’s go.”
    Olivia sat up. The room swayed, but she placed her hands firmly on the floor to steady herself. She probably had a concussion. Oh my god, can I die from this? I probably can.
    Nurse Carmichael reached out to help her. “Let’s go.” I hope Roth isn’t still out there. He terrifies me.
    Olivia could hear that. The thing about her teacher. Not only was she dizzy and concussed, she was still hallucinating. It could be a stroke. Death could come at any second.
    “Something weird is happening,” she began as Nurse Carmichael opened the door.
    “What?”
    Olivia took a deep breath. She had to tell the nurse. What if she was having an aneurysm? “I hear something … strange.”
    Outside the door, the hallway was empty. Mostly. Pi was leaning over and tying her shoes.
    Pi looked up. “How are you feeling?”
    “Um … fine,” Olivia said. Besides the fact that I’m probably dying.
    “Good,” Pi said. You’re not dying. Don’t tell Nurse Carmichael anything. Come with me and I’ll explain.
    I imagined that, Olivia tried to convince herself. I need to go to the hospital. It is my concussion talking. I’m going to need a CAT scan.
    Pi shook her head. You’re not imagining it. I can hear you. You can hear me. Tell Nurse Carmichael you’re feeling fine and come with me to the chess room.
    Olivia didn’t understand what was happening. “But—”
    “Everything okay, Olivia?” Nurse Carmichael asked. “Let’s go.”
    Tell her everything’s fine and that you’re coming with me instead.
    Olivia didn’t know who to trust. Was she going crazy? Were she and Pi going crazy?
    Just tell her!
    Okay! But if I die of an aneurysm, it will be your fault! “You know what, Nurse Carmichael? I’m feeling better. In fact, I think I want to get some lunch. Pi will look after me. If I have any issues, I’ll go straight to your office.” If I’m not already dead.
    Nurse Carmichael looked worried. “You sure?” I shouldn’t let her go. But I really do need to run to the pharmacy to get more condoms for tonight.
    Pi and Olivia exchanged disgusted looks.
    No,