This story is inspired by Sharie’s constant sleepiness in the fourth of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Before we dive into the fan‑fiction, let’s take a look at Chapter 4, “Sharie.”
CHAPTER 4. SHARIE — SUMMARY
Sharie sleeps through most of Mrs. Jewls’s lessons. Paradoxically, the teacher considers her the best student in the class. One hot afternoon, with all the windows open, Sharie dozes off and falls right out the window. Fortunately, Louis, the yard teacher, sees her just in time and manages to catch her in his arms before she hits the ground.
People didn’t know, but Sharie had a serious problem: she was sick. She suffered from narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a disease that makes you fall asleep in the middle of the day. One moment you are wide awake, answering questions in class, and the next moment you are sleeping like a log, dreaming of sheep hopping over fences.
Falling asleep is caused by strong feelings and emotions. Sharie usually fell asleep when she was too bored or very excited.
Last summer, Sharie went to spend her vacation with her grandparents. They had no idea about her problem. Whenever she fell asleep in the middle of the day, they thought she was tired and tucked her into bed for “a little extra rest.”
Sharie loved staying with them. They let her do almost anything she wanted. She woke up late, played games on her phone all day, and walked to the corner store by herself. She especially loved buying milk and cereal without anyone’s help.
One afternoon, she noticed a huge poster in the store window:
DISNEY PARK
CHEAP TICKETS FOR STUDENTS!
Sharie had always dreamed of going to Disney Park and riding the biggest roller coaster. And the park wasn’t far from her grandparents’ town.
“Grandpa, can I go to Disney Park?” she asked. “They’re offering cheap tickets to students!”
Her grandfather shook his head. “We’re too old for that kind of trip,” he answered. “We can’t go with you.”
“It’s okay,” Grandpa,” Sharie said. “I can find the way all by myself.”
“But you’re just a child,” her grandmother protested. “You can’t go alone.”
“Yes, I can,” Sharie insisted. “I go shopping by myself every day. And I’m very good at bargains!”
“Going to Disney Park is not the same as going to the corner store,” her grandfather said. “We need to know where you are at all times.”
Sharie held up her phone. “You can track me with this,” she said. “And I’ll call you all the time.”
The next morning, Sharie woke up early and hurried to the railway station. The train was already waiting.
“Where do I buy a ticket?” she asked the station manager.
“Hop on quick!” the man said. “You can buy one from the ticket collector.”
Sharie climbed aboard and sat by the window. The train rolled past blue skies and endless fields. Soon she got bored and fell asleep.
That was when the ticket collector arrived. He tried to wake her, but she snored louder with every nudge. Eventually, he gave up and moved on.
When the train finally reached Disney Park, Sharie woke up. “Wow,” she laughed. “The ticket collector never checked my ticket. Now I have more money for rides!”
Disney Park looked more magical than a fairy tale castle. But while Sharie was standing in line to buy her ticket, she became so excited that she fell asleep and fell on the ground.
People rushed to help, thinking she was sick. Two nurses carried her to the small clinic inside the park. They waved bottles with special flavors under her nose until she woke up.
“Where are your parents?” the park manager asked.
Sharie held up her phone. “My grandparents are following me through this,” she said.
“Well, we’re glad you’re feeling better,” the manager said. “We would like to offer you a free ride on our biggest roller coaster.”
Sharie was very happy. She didn’t have to pay for the park ticket or the ride. After she rode the roller coaster, she hurried back to the train station.
On the way home, she thought about her amazing adventure. But while she was waiting for the ticket collector, two strange men entered the train car, wearing masks and holding guns.
“Give us all your money!” they shouted.
Sharie was so scared that she fell asleep.
“What’s wrong with her?” one robber whispered. “Is she dead?”
“I don’t know,” the other muttered. He pulled the emergency cord, and both men jumped off the train.
“Did you have a good time?” her grandmother asked.
“How come you didn’t spend a dime?” her grandfather added.
Sharie shrugged. “I told you, grandpa! I’m very good at bargains!"
