Cursed by Susan Koehler

Author:Susan Koehler [Koehler, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cursed history, cursed objects, friendship, Hi/Lo, High Interest, High/Low, low reading level, luck or curse, mystery, Paranormal, Reluctant Reader, Scary Stories, science, Sinkhole, Striving Reader, Struggling Reader, Teen, Teen Stories, Teen Years, Texas, YA, Young Adult
ISBN: 9781728479545
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Published: 2023-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

8

Eli settles into his back-row seat in homeroom. Other students gather in clusters, sitting on desks and sharing stories about their earthquake experiences. The stories grow in intensity, each one an effort to top the last.

Mrs. Mendez is nowhere in sight. Eli wonders if she’s okay. He wonders if someone should check with the office and report that she’s missing. After all, there was an earthquake. He stands, thinking he will be the one to go. But he doesn’t get far. He has forgotten that he’s now popular and people are interested in him. They want to hear his earthquake story and even his scientific explanation.

Just as he gets to the part about the water spilling, Mrs. Mendez suddenly appears.

Students scatter like ants, reluctantly retreating to their assigned seats. Eli thinks she’s going to lose her cool because of all the noise and confusion. But she doesn’t. She’s beaming. Eli thinks maybe she is nerding out over the earthquake and sinkholes. Exciting stuff for a science teacher.

Mrs. Mendez takes attendance during morning announcements, and Eli can’t help but notice that Nolan Bridwell is absent for the second day in a row. No one seems to miss him. Especially Eli.

As soon as the announcements come to an end, Mrs. Mendez seizes the opportunity to share her excitement. “You may notice some TV reporters and cameras on campus today,” she tells the class. “Just go about your business and act natural.”

This news causes the class to erupt. Now everyone is excited. Mrs. Mendez claps her hands like an elementary school teacher, desperate to regain control.

“I have just completed my interview,” she tells them. “And in a moment, the reporters will be speaking with our very own Eli Hancock.”

Again, the class erupts. This time, they cheer for Eli. They chant his name. He’s a hero. And it feels good.

“With all the news about natural disasters,” she continues, yelling to be heard above the chatter, “they want a feel-good story. And Eli’s science project going on to the state competition—”

The bell rings and cuts her off. Homeroom ends abruptly, but the cheering and chanting continue. Students huddle around Eli as if they are drawn to him by an invisible force. Hands reach toward him for pats on the back, high fives, and fist bumps. Eli is the man.

He moves with the group, as if floating on a slow-moving river. But as soon as he reaches the door, Mrs. Mendez stops him. She says, “Oh, no sir, you stay here, Eli.” She rushes the others out and then explains. “The principal has arranged for my first-period class to meet in the library for a study hall so we can use this room for the interview. The reporter will be here any moment.”

As if on cue, a small woman carrying a large microphone enters the room. Her pearly white teeth sparkle in the fluorescent light. She wears a red dress and a thick layer of make-up. Eli recognizes her from the local news. Her name is Cassie Canova.

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