The Undrowned by K. R. Alexander

Author:K. R. Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2019-03-15T16:00:00+00:00

I dread our next class together.

I stand outside the classroom door as my classmates filter in. I’m used to kids skirting around me, but now they’re making an effort to knock into me. Trying to get back for all the mean things I’ve done or said to them. A few even stare and whisper things to each other as they pass.

Whispering about me.

Soon the hall is nearly empty. I’m going to be the last one inside.

I don’t want to go inside.

I know Rachel is already in there. Waiting for me.

Our teacher, Mrs. Kavanaugh, looks over at me from behind her desk, clearly wondering why I’m waiting outside the door.

There’s no way to get out of this without being really suspicious.

I force down my dread and step inside.

The only seat left is next to Rachel.

She smiles when she sees my hesitation. Her perfectly sweet and perfectly innocent smile. Once more, the thought of turning around and running until I can’t run anymore crosses my mind, but Mrs. Kavanaugh clears her throat and glares at me.

I’ve never been her favorite. Probably because I’ve never tried to be a good student. The only reason I’m passing this class is because Rachel does my homework. Well, did.

As I make my way to the empty desk, I wonder if maybe I should have tried to be good. Tried to study and learn, rather than force Rachel to do it for me. Someone sticks out their foot as I pass, making me stumble. A few kids chuckle, and the kid who did it just looks straight ahead.

If Mrs. Kavanaugh notices, she doesn’t say anything. She won’t come to my aid. No one will. I am completely alone. Just like Rachel wants.

I settle in beside her and try not to flinch when she squeezes my arm in a gesture that is probably supposed to look comforting. I know it will leave a bruise.

Mrs. Kavanaugh begins the lesson immediately. I can’t focus on what she’s saying—I am too aware of Rachel right beside me. Even a desk away, she smells unmistakably like the lake, like seaweed, and even though I can’t see it, I swear I hear a faint drip drip drip coming from her direction. I’m so focused on Rachel that I don’t even realize Mrs. Kavanaugh has asked a question until I see movement from the corner of my eye.

I glance over to see Rachel with her hand raised straight in the air as the question registers in my mind: What is an allegory?

Mrs. Kavanaugh seems shocked at Rachel’s boldness. Normally, Rachel stays in the back row with her head down and doesn’t answer any questions. She knows that if she seems like too much of a smarty-pants or shows off in class I’ll make fun of her. Well, more than I usually do.

Not that I would dream of insulting her now.

Can you insult something that’s supposed to be dead?

“An allegory is when a story has a hidden meaning or represents something else entirely,” Rachel says smartly.

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