Read The Dream Where the Losers Go for Free Online

to the center of her desk. “Well, Skey,” she said, “I’ve arranged for some lunch-hour tutoring to help you catch up. You will meet with your tutor on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at twelve o’clock sharp.”
    Skey’s mouth dropped. Ms. Renfrew nodded grimly.
    “We thought we’d leave you Tuesday and Thursday lunch hours to socialize,” she said. “Your tutor is Tammy Nanji. I’ve gone over the catch-up work with her. She’s a grade ahead of you and an excellent student, so she won’t have any problems with it.”
    Skey waved a hand vaguely, trying to break through her shock. “I can’t,” she managed.
    “Pardon?” asked Ms. Renfrew.
    “I can’t,” Skey stammered again. “Not three lunch hours.” Jigger would be so mad. “Maybe one?” she suggested weakly.
    “Skey.” Ms. Renfrew leaned forward dramatically. “I realize this is a difficult time for you, but you need to focus on your studies. This will help you get through it. You’re a bright girl, you did well in junior high. Unfortunately, high school seems to have been another story.”
    “I can’t,” Skey stammered again. “Not three.”
    “How about you work that out with Tammy?” said Ms. Renfrew. “She’s waiting in the lobby. I’ll call her in.”
    Walking to the door, Ms. Renfrew opened it and beckoned. “Skey Mitchell,” she said cheerily, “I’d like you to meet Tammy Nanji. Tammy, this is Skey.”
    Skey’s neck went ramrod stiff, and she sat staring at the stack of books Ms. Renfrew had left on the desk. She knew she had to focus on something mundane, because all around her the office walls were taking on a harsh white glow. Large gashes were appearing in them. The walls were beginning to bleed, everywhere there was bleeding.
    “Skey?” called a voice.
    Hands gripped both of Skey’s shoulders and she sat deep in a trance, watching the huge nose that had appeared in front of her face. The nostrils moved in and out, in and out. Breathing, breathing, all that breathing. Fascinated, Skey breathed in and out, along with the giant nose. Gradually the office walls stopped bleeding, and the tunnel of light faded. Abruptly, Skey realized that she was rocking, her arms crossed over her stomach. She had probably been moaning. Shit .
    “I’m fine,” she said quickly. “Just fine.” Ducking around Ms. Renfrew’s concerned face, Skey stood and stuck out her right hand with a glittering smile. “Pleased to meet you,” she said.
    A dark hand hesitated, then took hers. Behind her glasses, Tammy’s eyes flickered uncertainly. “Hello,” she said. “I remember seeing you around last year.”
    Fat. Tammy was quite fat. Even her hand felt puffy. “Oh yeah,” muttered Skey, withdrawing her own. She couldn’t do this, she thought frantically. She wouldn’t last one lunch hour with Ms. Tub Brains. “You want to set a time to meet tomorrow?” she asked, trying for another glittering smile. “In the cafeteria?”
    “No need for the cafeteria,” Ms. Renfrew said swiftly. “We’ve found space for you to work here. One of the offices is empty.”
    Skey ditched the polite act. Crossing her arms, she snapped, “Why can’t I get one of my friends to help me?”
    Ms. Renfrew cleared her throat. “Tammy has tutored quite a few students,” she said coolly. “She has experience. And this is one of the conditions of your returning to Wellright Collegiate while you’re living in the unit. You agreed to work with a tutor.”
    “I never heard about it,” Skey muttered, though a faint bell was beginning to ring in her head. Tutoring—maybe the principal had mentioned something about tutoring. He just hadn’t mentioned three lunch hours a week with Tammy Nanji.
    “So,” said Ms. Renfrew, switching to an encouraging hearty tone. “How about you two girls chat in the lobby, get to know each other, and arrange a time for tomorrow?”
    “Yeah, sure.” Turning on her heel, Skey headed for the door.
    “Skey,” snapped a