Free The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna Page B

him!”
    He laughed, and Finny followed. They might as well have just had a class for themselves.
    â€œCome on, people, how exciting is the idea of parallel universes?” Mr. Maxim said. “Like a universe that’s just like here, except everything is half the size. Or monkeys walk around with jobs and houses, just like people.”
    â€œThat’s not exciting, that’s disgusting,” the hair-spray girl said. “Monkeys are gross.”
    â€œIt doesn’t have to be monkeys—it can be anything,” Mr. Maxim said. “Caterpillars or cats. Porcupines or pandas. Like a panda-verse.”
    My bag fell out of my hands and crashed to the floor.
    â€œWe’ll cover this later in the semester. But since we can’t see the extra dimensions or prove that parallel universes exist, the floor is still wide open for discussion.”
    Mr. Maxim walked over and looked out the window. “Anything is possible, people. Just use your imagination.”
    |||||||||||
    I walked in the bathroom, and Walt was sitting on the counter, swinging his legs.
    â€œHello, gorgeous.”
    â€œHi!” I said, giving him a hug. I was so excited to see him I didn’t even check under the stalls like I usually did, but the room was empty anyway.
    â€œYou’re an enthusiastic little elf. What gives?”
    â€œI’m happy,” I said, reapplying my lip gloss. “Plus, we were just talking about you.”
    â€œYou and Finny?”
    â€œNo, Mr. Maxim in physics class.”
    â€œIf I’d known I was making an appearance, I would have called my stylist,” Walt said, smoothing the fur above his eyes with his paw.
    â€œNot you, specifically,” I said, smacking my lips together. “He was talking about parallel universes. Specifically, a potential panda universe. He called it a panda-verse.”
    â€œCute,” Walt said. “Did he say where it was? I’d love to visit.”
    â€œI think you’re from there,” I said.
    Walt laughed and turned his back toward the mirrors.
    â€œWell played,” he said. “You’re pretty crafty for a girl who wears lip gloss.”
    I poked his arm. “You’re going to have to tell me about it sometime. Along with why you’re here and what it has to do with me. Or maybe, since I’m so crafty, I’ll just find out myself,” I said.
    Walt grinned. “That’s kind of what the whole path thing is all about.”
    â€œHey, if the path includes extra dimensions, parallel universes and infinite possibilities, I’m in.”
    â€œYou might want to think about bringing someone with you,” Walt said. “What about Finny?”
    â€œI can’t tell him yet,” I said. “He likes me the way he thinks I am.”
    â€œHe also likes physics,” he said. “He could help you.”
    â€œHelp me figure out that my episodes are more than episodes? I already knew that,” I said. “Especially after you showed up.”
    â€œYou know what they’re not, but you don’t know what they are. Don’t you want to find out?”
    I did. More than anything.
    â€œIs it synchronicity that your first friend is into physics, just like your dad? Or is it something bigger?”
    â€œI hadn’t thought about it,” I said.
    â€œSo think about it,” Walt said. “Tell him about the Ramones. Tell him about me.”
    â€œNo way,” I said.
    â€œWhy not?” Walt said. “What do you have to lose?”
    â€œMy best friend, possibly.”
    As soon as I said it out loud, though, I changed my mind. That was what having a best friend was all about—being honest and sharing everything, even the bad things. So if we were really friends, or if I wanted us to be, there was only one thing to do.
    â€œYou’re right,” I said. “We’re Sophie and Finny. I’ll tell him.”
    â€œBravo!” Walt said,