Free Tesla's Attic (9781423155126) by Neal Shusterman Page A

They were her signature look. It wasn’t a hairstyle, it was a lifestyle. She’d spent years training her scalp to grow hair in the optimum directions for the perfect part down the middle. It wasn’t her fault that more hair grew on the left side of her head than the right. She’d always considered her hair’s mildly lopsided nature a charming bit of uniqueness.
    â€œSince you’re new here, I’ll forget you just said that.”
    He shrugged, striding off to class. As she watched him go, she determined then and there that Nick Slate would come to appreciate the glory that was Petula Grabowski-Jones. Even if it killed him.
    Caitlin had arrived early that Tuesday morning, a woman on a mission. With Theo toting the rather heavy recorder, she wandered the halls, selecting friends and teachers much less randomly than it appeared.
    â€œHi, I’m doing a multimedia art project, and your answers might be included,” she told people, thrusting the microphone in their faces and then asking questions like:
    â€œTell me, Mrs. Applebaum, how do you feel about our principal?” and “So, Ashley, who’s your closest friend? And why?” and “Drew, as the football team’s star running back, what do you think of our quarterback? Can he really take us all the way?”
    Not that Caitlin was going to publicize any of the answers, but she had an inquiring mind and wanted to know.
    â€œCaitlin, this thing is heavy. Can I put it down?” Theo asked, after about five minutes.
    â€œDon’t be a wuss, Theo. It’s not that heavy for a strong guy like you.”
    Which, she knew, the machine would no doubt translate as, “If I flatter you, you’ll do anything I ask.”
    During lunch she continued her “random” interviews. That’s when Nick stormed up to her.
    â€œI’ve been watching you use that thing all day. You said you shattered it.”
    â€œSorry, I lied.”
    â€œWe need to talk about this,” Nick said.
    â€œWho’s this guy?” Theo asked. “What do you need to talk to her about?”
    â€œDon’t worry, Theo, it’s nothing important.”
    Then Theo smiled. “Oh, you’re the guy who gave Heisenberg the beef dip. That was great!”
    â€œNick,” Caitlin said, “I really don’t have time right now. Would you like to answer a few questions, though?” She held the microphone closer to his face.
    â€œThe only thing I want to know,” Nick said, steely, “is if that tape recorder has done anything weird.”
    â€œExactly what are you accusing me of?”
    Nick took a step back. “Accusing you? It’s just a question.”
    â€œAre you harassing her?” asked Theo, who believed himself part of the conversation. “Because we have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. I’m on the student council and missed out on being student body president by only three votes, which gives me a lot of clout. One word to the principal and you could be suspended.”
    Nick shook his head. “You have to exist to be suspended.”
    That comment put Theo in a feedback loop, which kept him quiet for a while.
    â€œThere’s nothing to worry about, Nick. I’m just making some recordings for my project.”
    â€œWell, if there’s anything unusual about that machine, you have to tell me. It’s important.”
    â€œFine,” said Caitlin. “If I notice anything strange, you’ll be the first to know.”
    â€œSecond,” said Theo. “Caitlin tells me strange things first.”
    From across the cafeteria Petula watched this exchange, and although she couldn’t hear the gist of the conversation, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Nick was continuing to devote all of his attention to a girl more popular than she was.
    Never mind that Theo was carrying her heavy object. Never mind that Caitlin seemed to be