Rattled Read Online Free Page B

bad,” Sam said cheerfully, serving and hitting Megan’s shoulder with the ball.
    â€œReally?” I sounded doubtful. “Don’t you ever wish you could go to regular school?”
    Sam frowned. “Never really thought about it. I kind of like that we only have lessons for maybe three hours a day.”
    â€œI guess…” I still wasn’t too happy about it all.
    â€œWanna switch?” Megan asked. “I’m really bad at this.”
    My stomach growled. I suggested we go up to the kitchen and get a snack instead.
    As I got down three glasses, I saw a head bounce by the window, then heard the door open.
    â€œMorning, Tanner family!”
    Crap! “Hi, Vivian!” I called.
    â€œIs Jilly around?” Vivian asked, bursting onto the scene.
    â€œNo. She won’t be back until five.”
    â€œOh. I’m just dropping off this book she wanted to borrow.” She was looking past me, at Sam and Megan.
    â€œYou must have misunderstood her,” I said. “Jilly doesn’t read.”
    She smirked and wagged her finger at me. “I don’t care what Jilly says about you, I think you’re just precious .” She practically shoved me aside. “You must be the new neighbours.”
    Vivian was Jilly’s best friend. There was no way she didn’t know Jilly babysat until five—this was an obvious fishing expedition. Vivian’s eyes zeroed in on Sam. It was almost comical. I felt like throwing my body in front of him like a shield.
    â€œVivian Green, this is Sam and Megan Swicker,” I said, begrudgingly.
    Vivian glanced briefly at Megan and smiled, then turned the full force of her powers on Sam. “En-chanté…” She held out her hand.
    I sighed with relief when Sam gave her an odd look, reached out, and awkwardly shook her finger. “Uh…nice to meet you.”
    â€œIt’s going to be so lovely to have some fresh faces in school this year,” she cooed. “I just live one street over, so if…”
    â€œHome-schooled!” I shouted.
    â€œOh.” Her face fell.
    â€œOkay then.” I put my hand on her shoulder and steered her towards the door. “I’ll tell Jilly you stopped by.”
    â€œShe seemed nice,” Sam said, when I rejoined them in the kitchen.
    â€œWell, she’s not. It’d be in your best interest to avoid her at all costs.”
    â€œShe can’t be that bad,” Sam said.
    â€œListen. Like six years ago or something, she was a runner up on America’s Funniest Home Videos . She thinks she’s a friggin’ celebrity and she treats everyone like peasants. She’s just the worst .”
    â€œWhat’d she do on the video?”
    â€œIt was something about her lunatic cat destroying the Christmas tree. God, she was only in it for a nanosecond, but for some reason she thinks she’s a star. Plus, I didn’t think Canadians were even allowed to enter!” I added, slamming the fridge door.
    Sam and Megan both laughed. They drank their juice but said no thanks to a snack.
    I made myself a peanut butter and jelly fold-over, and we headed back for more ping-pong.
    We hadn’t been downstairs for more than two minutes when I heard the doorbell. I strained my ear. Mom or Dad must have answered.
    â€œSam. Megan. Your mom’s here!” Mom called.
    â€œOh…We didn’t get to finish,” I complained.
    Following them up the stairs, I checked my watch. Almost noon. Mrs. Swicker had let them out of her sight for all of forty-five minutes.
    Sam and Megan thanked me and said goodbye, so did Mrs. Swicker. I could tell it caused her great pain, but Mom and Dad were standing right there. I know she felt she had to.
    I went into the kitchen to wash some grape jelly off my shirt.
    Damn! I missed it . The blue cake plate was on the counter.

Chapter 5
    S o I thought I’d be neighbourly, share my great idea. The van was in