Impossible Things by Robin Stevenson

me over to hers. A few days later, she finally did.
    â€œMom and Dad want to meet you,” she said. She looked uncomfortable. “So, if you want to come over, you can. But you don’t have to. We could go to your place.”
    I was dying to go: I’d been practicing telekinesis every day, and I still hadn’t had any success. Maybe another lesson would help. Still, it sounded like she was only inviting me because her parents told her to. “Do you want me to come?” I asked.
    â€œYeah, I guess.”
    I frowned. “Gosh, do you think you could sound a little less enthusiastic?”
    We were sitting at our desks in the back row, waiting for class to start. Victoria lowered her voice and leaned closer. “Sorry. I want to see you after school. It’s just… well, it’s kind of complicated. My parents don’t get along that well and they’re not a heap of fun to be around. Plus, they’ll ask you too many questions. They always do that.”
    â€œIt’ll be just the four of us then?” I asked, remembering how she’d avoided Ben’s question about siblings.
    She nodded, looking surprised. “Of course. Who else would be there?”
    â€œI don’t know. Just wondering. Anyway, I would like to come, and don’t worry about your parents.” I made a face. “At least they’re both there.”
    Victoria lived farther from school than I did, and in the opposite direction—toward town rather than away from it. After school we cut through the yard toward the bus stop, pulling our hats down firmly over our ears as the cold wind whipped tiny flecks of icy snow against our faces. Ben had already left with Sydney. Apparently Sydney had been given a science kit for Christmas, and she and Ben were going to spend the rest of the day extracting DNA from a kiwi fruit.
    â€œSo, you think we could work on the telekinesis thing again?” I asked.
    â€œCourse we can.”
    â€œCool. I was thinking, maybe if I—” I stopped dead. “Hey, there’s that guy again. See, by the bus stop?” I pointed. “He’s the one I told you about, remember? The guy who was here the other day?”
    Victoria grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a nearby Dumpster. “Shhh,” she whispered urgently.
    I remembered how strangely Victoria had reacted when I mentioned him before. “What is it? Do you know him?”
    â€œI don’t want him to see me, okay? So, let’s just wait here. Maybe he’ll leave.”
    I squatted behind the Dumpster and watched the man. He was talking with the kids who were waiting for their bus. Beside me, Victoria was so still I thought she must be holding her breath.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I whispered. “Who is he?”
    She shook her head and motioned to me to be quiet.
    I remembered Ben’s question again, and how Victoria had dropped the glass to avoid answering it. I bent even closer so that my mouth was right next to her ear. “Is he your brother?”
    Her eyes widened in surprise. Then she nodded silently. The school bus pulled into view, driving slowly on the icy road. I started to get up, but Victoria grabbed me and pulled me back down.
    â€œCome on,” I whispered. “We’ll miss the bus.”
    She looked all wobbly, like she might start to cry. “We’ll have to walk. I can’t let him see me.”
    I studied the guy. Her brother. It seemed so unlikely. He must be at least ten years older and he sure didn’t look like the kind of guy I’d want for a big brother. Obviously not the kind Victoria wanted either, judging by her reaction.
    The kids all trooped single file onto the bus, and the bus slowly pulled away, its wheels spinning slightly in the snow. Victoria’s brother headed down the sidewalk, away from the school. He had gone about half a block and was starting to disappear in the blowing snow when he ducked into a