Screaming Ridge: Remembering Kaylee Cooper: The Adventures of Alexander Thomas, #3

By Christopher Francis

Kaylee Cooper is certain Alex will become friends with a ghost this year.

 

But he doesn't care. He simply wants her to leave him alone and stop jeopardizing his important sixth-grade social life.

 

But Kaylee Cooper won't stop.

 

And she doesn't care either.

 

Determined to be free of her, Alex devises a strategic plan. However, Alex soon learns about the mysterious legend of Screaming Ridge that pulls an unlikely group of friends together, including the girl of his dreams and the school's meanest bully.

 

And at the heart of it all is Kaylee Cooper.

 

Prepare for a topsy-turvy turn of events as the group unravels the mystery surrounding Kaylee. Friendship, dreams, and a dark secret await.

 

"Remembering Kaylee Cooper was more than just a cute story. I became attached to the characters just like they were real, and their stories and actions truly affected me. I'm actually sorry I'm finished with it; I wanted the story to go on." ~ T.O. Powell

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Francis
• Release date: Feb 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386100447

Christopher Francis

Christopher Francis was born in Brisbane, Australia, on June 21, 1974. At 19, he was accepted into the Animation program at Sheridan College, and then graduated with a degree in Sociology from McMaster University. Following a two year adventure overseas working with children, Christopher completed a Bachelor of Education at York University. He is now teaching junior level students in Burlington, Ontario. Through Christopher’s experience working with children, he found writing and illustrating to be one of his passions. Currently working on a middle-grade series, Christopher has recently completed the first four books entitled: Solving Damian Dermite, Respecting Mr. Ravi , Remembering Kaylee Cooper and Alex was Here. Recently, Remembering Kaylee Cooper, has been published by Curiosity Quills Press Publishing House. In addition, Christopher has completed a Paranormal Teen Fiction novel, titled, Stoneway, and recently finished the Teen Fiction Sci-Fi, titled, They Came from the Trees, based on a short story called, That Thing in the Sky. He has also created eight primary leveled books called How to sneak your Monster into School, Mr. Pancake Turkey, I Don’t Want to go to Sleep! It’s Up to You, How Mr. Monster Biggens Changed My Life, There's and Ogre-Beast in the Playground, Bigger than Alexander and The Whispering Tree. Additionally, Christopher has illustrated children’s novels for several independent authors and publishing companies including Kids4kids.com, The Hamilton Spectator, BrendanKelly Publishing, Highview Press.com and Trimatrix. Most recently, They all can be viewed on francisart.com.

Book preview

Chapter One:

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The Snow Field

DO YOU THINK SHE REALLY wants to be dead? Alex asked. I mean, seriously, who wants to be dead?

I don’t know, I really don’t know, Daisy replied.

The two stood cautiously in the snow, waiting for something to happen. They weren’t sure what they waited for. They weren’t sure if anything would happen, but they knew they couldn’t do anything but wait.

Alex held his breath for a brief moment and listened. I can’t hear her anymore, Daisy.

Me neither. This is totally strange. I don’t get it.

Alex wanted to go to her, but he knew he couldn’t. He felt like he was being pulled in two different directions. He had never witnessed anything like this before.

Daisy?

She didn’t respond.

The full moon ignited sparkles of light out over the white field while casting shadows from the distant trees. The mind was easily tricked during the dark hours of night. 

Alex looked over at Daisy. Waves of light bounced off her face. Daisy? Can you even see her anymore? I can’t tell if that’s her or not.

A chilling silence hung in the air. Daisy brushed the hair away from her face as she stepped forward. Her beautiful brown eyes focused carefully into the darkness.

She’s still there, I think. Daisy turned back around and faced Alex. Everything is going to be all right. I trust you. She trusts you.

Should we go to the house? Maybe they’re back inside.

No, I don’t think we should interfere. If it’s meant to be, they’ll come for her. I think this is where she’s supposed to be.

Alex and Daisy looked out over the field again. They could see her now. They could see Kaylee Cooper.

She sat in the snow. She wasn’t cold, she wasn’t lost. She was alone. Her house was dark. She couldn’t go inside. The only thing Kaylee could feel at that moment was sadness. The realization was hard for her. There was nothing Alex and Daisy could do.

Do you think this is a good idea? he asked again.

Alex, I don’t know. Stop second guessing yourself. I’ve never done anything like this before. Just stay here. Promise you’ll stay here.

Alex nodded, kicking chunks of snow away from his feet. He desperately wanted to go over and talk to Kaylee. He wanted to tell her that everything was going to be okay. But it wasn’t okay. It hadn’t been okay for a very long time. Alex and Daisy were not the ones who could help her.

Alex had never felt so powerless.

She’s just a little kid, he whispered. You don’t know her like I do. She doesn’t know any better.

It was interesting for Alex to have these feelings now, for it wasn’t long ago when he felt completely different.

As Alex stood beside Daisy, he thought about the first time he met Kaylee Cooper.

Chapter Two:

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Meeting Kaylee Cooper

ARE YOU CRAZY? ALEX picked spicy beef curry from his once-perfectly gelled hair. He knew everyone watched him, including Daisy. Every student at Timpleville Public School had just witnessed his horribly embarrassing tumble.

What fool would sit on the floor in the middle of a cafeteria? Look what you’ve done! This is my favorite shirt, too. It’s all over my shirt. I love this shirt!

It was lunch time on a Thursday, the first week in November. Alex had just ordered a hot bowl of beef curry from the lunch ladies and was walking back to his table with his friend Henry. Distracted by the conversation they were having, Alex didn’t see the little girl bending over on the floor, and he tumbled right over her.

Sadly, during Alex’s embarrassing display of ridiculous acrobatics in an attempt to stay on his feet, his big bowl of steamy beef curry flipped into the air and landed right on Henry’s head.

The heat from the curry was too hot for Henry, and he panicked. He grabbed the bowl from his head and tossed it high up into the air. As it shattered on the floor, the ear-piercing sound startled a table of fourth grade girls, causing one of them to spill her milk. Unfortunately, a third grade boy wasn’t paying attention and stepped right into the creamy white puddle. His feet began to slide from side to side as he tried desperately to regain his balance. It was no use. As he reached around in an attempt to get support from something, he pulled three girls, two chairs, and one table down with him.

Food was everywhere.

The eighth graders watched in amazement, deciding it was a great opportunity to start a food fight. Coach Mason was too busy watching Henry pick off bits of beef from his head to know who started it. Most of the attention was on the little third grade boy. He wiggled helplessly on the ground, practically swimming in milk and soggy sandwiches.

Some witnesses said it was Damian Dermite and his angry band of bullies. Most people, however, said it was Alex Thomas who started the whole thing.

Chapter Three:

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Trouble

EXCUSE ME, WERE YOU talking to me? Kaylee Cooper sat down beside Alex in the office.

Of course I was talking to you, who else would I be talking to?

Kaylee shrugged. Um, uh, beats me.

Beats me? Beats me? Look what you’ve done! Look at my shirt. How am I supposed to walk around school now? I’m going to be the guy with the big brown stain right smack dab in the middle of his stomach. Look, it’s all down my front. Alex continued assessing himself, frowning. No way, it’s on my sleeve. Look, it’s on my sleeve.

Kaylee swung her little legs back and forth in her chair. Her big brown eyes fixated on Alex. Do you like me? she asked.

Alex shook his head. He could not believe what had just happened. Not only was he completely embarrassed by the whole ordeal, but his reputation was totally damaged. How was he going to show his face around the seventh and eighth graders who also went to the school? What were his friends in the sixth grade going to think? What was Daisy going to think? This was a huge setback, especially considering the fact his goal that year was to spend more time with her.

Do I like you? Are you serious? Alex replied.

I think so. Kaylee twirled her blonde tangled hair between her fingers. I don’t think I’ve met you before. You know you have a pimple on your nose, right? Can you see it? It’s right there. I once knew someone who had a pimple so big he had to get it cut off with a chainsaw.

Alex picked at his nose as he lowered his lanky frame down into the seat. His auburn hair, now scruffy and tangled, flopped helplessly over his face. This can’t be happening. This seriously cannot be happening.

Alex had no idea who Kaylee was before she’d tripped him in the lunchroom earlier that day, causing Cafeteriageddon, but in the blink of an eye, he found himself totally despising the little first grader.

Chapter Four:

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The Boys’ Bathroom

GET OUT OF HERE! ALEX shouted. This is the boys’ bathroom!

Kaylee had followed Alex around for exactly three weeks. It was common for Alex to take washroom breaks, especially when Mrs. Oxford had a spelling test. However, it was not common for a little girl to follow him into the boy’s bathroom.

But I’m not finished talking to you. Kaylee folded her arms and frowned.

Alex could not believe what was happening. I don’t care! I need to pee!

So? Pee. Your ears still work when you pee, you know. Do you want to know how I know?

Alex had to do something. He had to do something immediately. The problem was he didn’t know what to do. He’d planned to complain to her teacher, but Kaylee refused to tell him what class she was in. Alex even tried talking to Principal Gordon, but he was always too busy.

Kaylee, get out of here. Now! I can’t pee with you standing there.

Are you avoiding another spelling test? Is that why you’re in here? Do you drink a lot of water? Is that why you pee a lot?

No! Go away.

Are you going to wash your hands when you’re done? The bathroom has germs everywhere. Want to know how I know?

Go away!

Are you going to play with me at recess?

No. I’m not. Go.

I’m not leaving until you say ‘yes.’

Fine! I’ll play with you at recess. Now let me pee in peace.

Three weeks was long enough. Alex Thomas couldn’t take it anymore.

It was when he returned to class that fateful morning that he came up with an idea.

Chapter Five:

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The List

WHENEVER ALEX’S DAD needed to complete a task, he would make a list. The list would usually show the steps and materials needed to successfully accomplish whatever goal it was he wanted to achieve. Alex thought his dad was a genius, so all he figured he needed to do was the same thing. It was a pretty simple plan, but not a bad one.

As Alex sat in class that morning, he began his list. He had no idea at the time how important the list was going to be.

Alex started with the title. How to get rid of Kaylee Cooper.

Perfect. But he needed materials, resources, and he needed some sort of direction. Alex twirled his pencil in his fingers as he dug deep into his thoughts. He was very determined, and besides, it certainly helped occupy the time while he sat in Mrs. Oxford’s class. She was unbelievably boring. Her voice was