52 - How I Learned to Fly by R.L. Stine - (ebook by Undead)

appearances all over the country.
    In the fall, he had to leave Malibu Middle School because he was always
traveling. Always making flying appearances. Always working, working. On the
run.
    I saw on the TV news that the army follows him wherever he goes, doing
experiments on him. Trying to figure out how to get other people to fly.
    When Wilson is home, he’s too tired to see his old friends. Mia says it
doesn’t matter. She says hanging out with me is much more fun.
    I’m back to my old normal life. Morty is too. He finally came out of his
doghouse. And he doesn’t float off the ground anymore—not since I tied a
two-pound dog tag to his collar.
    Ethan and Ray and I are going to a Lakers game tonight. And tomorrow, Mia invited me to go to a Purple Rose concert
with her. Next weekend we’re taking tennis lessons together.
    We never talk about the big race and how Wilson won.
    We never talk about flying at all.
    I’ve kept my secret from Mia. I’ve kept my secret from everyone.
    I’ve never told anyone that I can still fly.
    And I’ve never told anyone that I only pretended to lose my flying
ability that morning of the race.
    Yes. You heard me. I only pretended.
    I let Wilson win the race.
    Why?
    Because I knew that was the only way I could win.
    That was the only way I could get all those thousands of people out of my
life. It was the only way I could get my friends back. The only way I could get
my normal life back. The only way I could be happy.
    I told you. I’m not the kind of kid who likes to enter contests. I don’t like
to compete. I don’t care about winning.
    So, I’m really lucky. Because even though I don’t care about winning—I won
after all.
    Sometimes, very late at night, I sneak out of the house. And I fly over
Malibu, high over the ocean. I gaze down on the waves sparkling in the moonlight. I soar with the winds and sail up toward the moon, feeling the
cool ocean breezes on my face.
    And I think about how lucky I am.
    And how smart.
    And I wish Wonder Wilson a lot of luck.
    Really….
     
     
    Scanning, formatting and basic
proofing by Undead.