Read The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain for Free Online

Annabelle. I do not want to be friends with her.’
    And mistake number two: ‘She is boring .’
    And mistake number three: ‘I would not be friends with her if she was the last person alive in the school.’
    I’ve engaged with the enemy and she has me right where she wants me. I’m back in kindergarten taking the wrap for the swing incident all over again. I know from the smile on Annabelle’s face, without even looking, that Alyce is standing behind us in the queue.
    I stand in the line and face the front. I know I should say something to Alyce. But what’s the right thing to say when you’ve just told someone they’re the most boring person in the school? How about sorry , Faltrain? I can hear Jane’s suggestion now. That’s no good; maybe it’s better if I don’t say anything ? I’m still in the middle of my conversation with myself; I’meven nodding and moving my hands around a little, when Nick comes up behind me.
    â€˜ Gracie , hi.’
    There they are again, those flicks, that smile.
    â€˜Come and sit with us on the oval?’ he asks.
    I forget all about Alyce, her confidence sliced into like a knife through flesh. She’s in the background bleeding and I don’t even bother to give her first aid.
    â€˜Okay.’ I throw my answer at Annabelle. Her face is covered in jealousy, layered like foundation that’s one shade too dark for her skin.
    Shove that up your jumper, Annabelle Orion. Life’s a cake and I just got a huge piece of it.
    Â 
ALYCE
    They’re right. This place is crap.

8
    problem noun : a difficult question,
situation, person;
    problematic adjective : Gracie Faltrain
NICK
    The problem with Gracie Faltrain is that she needs to make an effort with her looks. I mean, on the soccer field she sort of glides. I noticed that the first time I saw her play. She looks a bit ordinary when I talk to her at school, though, you know? None of the guys in our year have gone out with her. Word is, she doesn’t even like guys. I bet I can change that, though. If I wanted to, that is.
    Â 
ANNABELLE
    What’s the problem with Gracie Faltrain? That’s easy – she thinks she’s so good. She’s so loud. She thinks just because she can play soccer Nick will be interested in her. I’ve liked Nick since he arrived. I don’t see why Gracie Faltrain should get him just because she wants to. Why shouldn’t I get something that I want?
    Â 
ALYCE
    I don’t know what the problem with Gracie Faltrain is, Mrs Wilson. She just doesn’t want to work with me.
    Â 
MARTIN
    The problem with Faltrain is that she plays for herself. She kicks for goal from the side when she should cross to the centre and let someone else score once in a while. She doesn’t listen when I tell her to pass. ‘What’s your problem, Martin?’ she asks. ‘I made the shot.’ Yeah, Faltrain, but you practically knocked out one of our players to do it. That’s my problem.
    Â 
ANDREW FLEMMING
    And mine.
    Â 
CRAIG BUCKLEY
    That’s everyone’s problem.
    Â 
HELEN
    The problem with you, Gracie Faltrain, is that you kill all the plants, even the weeds. You think I don’t notice that you only water half the plants every night. It’s easier to do it myself after you’ve gone home. If you don’t listen to me carefully we’ll be out of business.
    Â 
BILL
    The problem with Gracie is that she loves too fiercely. She sees the world in black and white, when it’s grey and blurred at the edges. ‘People do things we don’t like, honey,’ I say, but she doesn’t understand. If life isn’t exactly as she wants it to be then she shuts it off.
    That’s like throwing away a breeze, warm and sweetened with jasmine, just because there’s a storm forecast for the end of the day. Just think of what you’re missing out on by staying inside. I’m worried