Free Cloudburst by V.C. Andrews

did see attempts being made to strike up conversations in the hallways and at lunch, but he either shrugged, shook his head, simply nodded, or replied in some monosyllabic way. His responses were quickly turning them all off.
    In some ways, he reminded me of myself when I first entered the school. I was always afraid of getting into too many conversations, or long ones. The obvious fear was that I would reveal too many details about myself and damage the fiction Jordan had created about me, both for my benefit and for Kiera’s. I was somewhat shy as well, having not had any friends my age for some time and also being quite intimidated by these well-off students who probably wasted in one day what my mother and I had lived off for a week.
    I couldn’t imagine why Ryder Garfield would be shy. Surely, because of his famous parents, he had been introduced to and often saw big movie stars. He was at fancy celebrations and award events. There was certainly nothing shy about his sister. What reminded me of myself was the way he seemed to be afraid that someone would discover who he really was, too.
    Mr. Madeo gave us what he called a writing challenge midway through the period. He had different quotes from the remainder of
Hamlet
written on slips of paper and handed them out. Based on what we had done and learned so far, we were to interpret the quote and relate it to the rest of the play. I noticed it took Ryder only ten minutes to read his and write his answer. He glanced at me, and I looked up. As soon as I did so, he shifted his glance away.
    â€œToo late,” I said.
    He turned back. “Excuse me?”
    â€œYou were caught looking.”
    He stared a moment, and then he shook his head and raised his hand.
    â€œYes, Ryder,” Mr. Madeo said.
    â€œI’m done here. Can I hand it in and go to the restroom?”
    â€œDone? You sure?”
    â€œYes.”
    Mr. Madeo shrugged and picked up his paper. He glanced at it. “Man of few words?”
    â€œI’ll say,” Shayne Peters quipped from the back of the classroom. Everyone laughed. Ryder’s face turned a shade of crimson.
    â€œOkay,” Mr. Madeo said.
    Ryder rose, scooped his book into his bag, and started out.
    â€œSave me a seat!” Shayne shouted after him. Again, the class laughed.
    I quickly finished the point I was making about my quote and raised my hand, too.
    â€œDon’t tell me you need to go to the restroom, too,” Mr. Madeo said with a smile.
    I nodded. He picked up my paper, glanced at it, and just nodded. I got up quickly.
    â€œDon’t go to the same restroom,” Shayne shouted after me. The class started to titter again, but I stopped and looked at him.
    â€œAt least I know the difference,” I said.
    There was a loud cheer, mostly from the other boys. Mr. Madeo called for silence, and I left.
    As I was heading toward the girls’ room, I looked out the side door that opened to the ballfields and saw Ryder sitting on a railing and looking down. I hesitated and thenheaded for the door. He looked up when I stepped out.
    â€œClass over? I didn’t hear the bell,” he said, looking as if I had caught him doing something illegal.
    â€œNo, I was finished and asked to go to the girls’ room.”
    â€œIs it out here?”
    â€œVery funny. I thought you were going to the boys’ room.”
    â€œThat
is
out here,” he said, and I laughed. He looked away.
    â€œYou hate it here, don’t you?” I asked.
    â€œNot any more than I hated where I was,” he said, turning back. “You look pretty content. How come you’re so popular?”
    â€œWho said I was?”
    â€œDidn’t take me long to see that. What are you, disabled? That’s what someone with modesty would be here.”
    â€œIs that why you seem to be having trouble making many friends?”
    â€œFriends? People don’t make friends here. They make contacts. They use each