The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper

Author:Suzanne Harper [Harper, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Usernet, C429, Kat, Extratorrents
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“May I remind you that this is exactly what you wanted?” Professor Trimble said, with some asperity, just behind my right ear. “A best friend, someone to study with after school and share secrets with and— what is the current phrase? Oh, yes—to hang out with?”

I was standing on the school’s front steps, waiting for Fiona. We had made plans to go to her house after school. Professor Trimble was standing to my right, grandly ignoring the students who were pouring out of the doors and milling about on the sidewalk, talking, flirting, yelling, and pushing one another.

“I know, I know,” I said, trying not to move my lips.

“But—”

“Yes?” Professor Trimble sounded as if she were doing her best to sound patient and understanding. Her best, I reflected—and not for the first time—was not very good.

“Fiona asks a lot of questions.”

The professor nodded approvingly. “And then really listens to the answers. Very rare in this day and age.”

“Or any time, really.” I smelled nutmeg, and Floyd popped into view on my left, dusting off his floury hands. “No wonder everyone likes her. She’s a real sweetheart.”

This was true. Just today I had watched Fiona walk up to Seth Roberts, one of those shy, genius boys who rarely speak and who, when spoken to, always look both startled and irritated, as if they were just about to solve the mystery of the universe until you so cruelly interrupted them.

“Hi!” she had said. “I’ve heard you’re really good with computers, and I’m having this problem with my laptop. Would you mind taking a look?“

He had glanced at her warily but nodded agreeably enough. As he frowned at the screen and began pushing various keys, she chatted merrily about topics ranging from this week’s football game to a recent horror movie marathon on TV. Within two minutes she had persuaded him to say something back. Within ten minutes he was cautiously debating the relative fright factor of zombies versus vampires. By the time the bell rang, they sounded like old friends. He handed her laptop back and wandered down the hall in a daze, a little smile on his lips.

Watching, I just shook my head. “I think your hobby is conversation,” I had said, not accusing at all. In fact I was beginning to admire Fiona’s warm and openhearted interest in others (as long as it wasn’t directed at me). “Endless, unlimited, infinite, never-ending conversation.”

“I know! My mom says I even talk in my sleep!” She looked a little smug. “My dad says I have ‘an uncanny ability to establish dialogue with a wide range of personality types.’ He says it’s a gift.”

“You must promise to use it only for good,” I had said, mock solemn, and she had laughed.

“I mean, she asks a lot of questions,” I said again.

“I would not worry if I were you.” Now Prajeet manifested, lounging on the stone steps. He smiled up at me. “It is not such a terrible thing to have your friends know who you really are.

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