A Young Reader's Book of Short Stories

By Hallie Grace Hamner

Story 1: The Hiccupping Fiasco

It was a bright spring day in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I barely got to school on time .I made it to class just before my homeroom teacher, Mrs. Paltine, started taking role.

" Edwards Zachary?"

" Here."

" Mcathens Leo?"

" Here."

" Smithson Elly? Elly, Elly, can you hear me?"

" Huuuh?"

" Elly, I was calling role!"

" Ohhh… here."

Oops… guess I'd been daydreaming… again. After homeroom my classes practically flew by. Soon it was time for lunch.

" Hey, Elly." Said my friend , Abby.

" What's up?" I replied.

" Well, this afternoon I'm auditioning for the dance team!"

" Good luck!"

" Thanks, sorry, I gotta go, time for band practice!"

Jeez ! That girl has WAY too much stuff going on in her life! After she left I gulped down my milk, giving myself hiccups in the process.

" HICCUP!"

Jamie Emerson walked up to me and said, " Hey! Did you just get taller?"

" Ummm… not that I'm aware of !"

I ran out of the cafeteria, bumping into Mike Star, the captain of our football team!

" H-h-hy Mike." I managed to stammer

" Hey, Elly, you look taller. Are you taller?"

Then one of Mike's football buddies came up and started talking to him, giving me the chance to dart away. I sprinted down the hallway, skidding to a stop at the girl's bathroom. I ran inside looked into a mirror and then…

" HICCUP!"

I DEFINITELY looked taller! Several questions were circulating my mind. How tall would I get? How would my parents react? Was I some kind of mutant FREAK? But , the one question that stood in my mind was, what would happen to me now?