Short Stories in English for Beginners

ignore
her completely. They don’t even look at her.
‘Why aren’t you looking at me?’ Laura asks. She 
waves
 at Raj. She puts
her face near Sophie. Then she really tests them. She dances around and
waves her arms. Sophie looks around, but then they continue to ignore her.
It’s like Laura’s not there!

---

Raj and Sophie carry on talking about Laura. ‘I wonder where she is,’
Raj says, ‘she’s been on the phone a long time. I’m getting worried.’
‘You know her,’ says Sophie. ‘She’s probably reviewing financials or
contracts or something. She’ll be back soon.’
Then Laura realizes something. Her friends can’t see her! As
unbelievable as it is, she seems to be 
invisible
! It’s like she’s in some TV
series!
Oh my gosh! thinks Laura. I can’t believe it! Then she thinks, But why?
Suddenly, Laura remembers the strange object in the trees. Is this because
of the light? she thinks. Am I invisible because I touched it? She isn’t sure.
Laura doesn’t know what to do. Finally, she makes a decision. ‘I don’t
know how long that light will affect me,’ she says. ‘I’m invisible! I have to
enjoy it!’
Laura watches her friends. Raj takes the food off the barbecue. Sophie
puts cold drinks on the table. Laura listens to their conversation.
‘Well yes, Raj,’ says Sophie. ‘Laura works a lot, but it’s normal. And
hey! This is her big opportunity. She may be company president someday!’
‘Yeah, but she doesn’t earn enough,’ comments Raj.
‘That’s true,’ agrees Sophie. ‘But her pay will improve. She’ll get what
she is worth. They’re starting to realize that she is their top employee. Who
knows what she can achieve.’
‘Yes, I know. But I just wish she could relax more.’
‘I know. Me, too,’ says Sophie as she continues to cook.
Laura is surprised. She didn’t know how much her friends respected her.
Everything they are saying about her is so nice! She smiles happily.
Suddenly, Raj’s 
tone
 changes. ‘Seriously though,’ he says, ‘where is
Laura?’
‘I really don’t know,’ replies Sophie. ‘Let’s go and look for her.’
Laura’s friends turn off the music. They walk towards the trees. They
walk directly towards the strange object. It’s lying on the ground. Raj sees it
first. ‘Look, Sophie. What’s this?’ He bends over and picks it up. He begins
to examine it.

---

Sophie gives him a strange look. ‘I don’t know … but I wouldn’t touch
it!’
Raj looks up surprised. ‘You’re right!’ He throws the ball into the trees.
The two continue looking for Laura.
After some time, Raj and Sophie walk back to the barbecue area. Both
stop in surprise. Laura’s car isn’t there! Raj looks at Sophie. ‘What is
happening here? Is this some sort of game?’ he asks.
‘I have no idea,’ replies Sophie. ‘No idea at all.’
Meanwhile
, Laura is on her way back to Edinburgh. She wants to enjoy
the effects of her invisibility. The best place to completely experience it is
in public. As she drives, her friends make an important phone call – to the
police!