Dead Is So Last Year by Marlene Perez Read Free Book Online

"I'll be right back."
    The entire movie audience held its collective breath as Wolfie made a slight movement toward the vampires.
    I had to do something. No time like the present to practice a little telekinesis. I concentrated and Wolfie's extra-large soda flew out of his hand and landed upside down on his head, showering him with icy cola.
    Ryan threw an amused glance my way but continued to where Wolfgang and the others were. "You," he said in a measured voice. "Out." He grabbed Wolfie's arm and twisted it behind his back. His gaze encompassed the rest of the team. "All of you. Now. And don't come back."
    Ryan marched Wolfie up the pier. Wolfgang's eyes burned into mine as he passed me, but he didn't say a word.
    Sean was the last in line. I grabbed his arm. "What are you doing with those guys, Sean?" I knew they were all on the football team together, but Sean was hanging with—well, frankly, the creeps of the bunch. And besides, Sean was a senior and Wolfie was a freshman.
    He shrugged off my arm. "Stay out of it, Daisy."
    "Sean!"
    But he ignored me and continued after his buddies. I waited a couple of minutes and then followed. I wanted to make sure Ryan was okay. He was a werewolf, but so was Wolfgang and who knew who else in that little group.
    There was no sign of them on the other end of the pier, but I caught a glimpse of Ryan standing behind the Snack Shack.
    "Is everything okay?" I asked. Wolfgang and his group were gone, all except Sean, who was looking down at the ground when I approached.
    "Everything is fine," Ryan assured me. "I just need five minutes alone with Sean.
    I grabbed his arm and pulled him a few feet away, hopefully out of Sean's earshot.
    "You're not going to fight him?"
    "Of course not. He's my best friend. I'm just going to try to talk some sense into him.
    He gave me a quick kiss and then I went back to my seat, but it took Ryan longer than five minutes to rejoin me. In fact, the movie was almost over by the time he slid into the lawn chair next to me.
    "Sorry, he said. "I didn't mean for that to take so long. He looked grim.
    "Is Sean okay? I whispered.
    "Stubborn, but he's okay. I think I got through to him about being a little more selective about who he hangs out with. Ryan took my hand. "I'm really sorry, Daisy. I'll make it up to you.
    The movie ended a few minutes later, but I hadn't really been paying attention, anyway. I was more concerned about Ryan, and how could I be mad at him for trying to help Sean?
    I didn't want our date to end on such a down note. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me.
    Ryan looked startled. "For what?
    "I ate all the Milk Duds. And the popcorn," I joked, and was relieved when he cracked a smile. It was a small one, but it was a beginning.
    "Then you can buy me a slice of pie at Slim's, he replied.
    "As much as I love that place, I've been spending all my time there. I'm pretty sure we still have some apple pie left at my house. And no one's home.
    "Even better, Ryan said, as we walked out of the theater. And it was.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    It mas Friday night. I had decided to stay home and hang out with Poppy, who still had days awash in tears, mourning the loss of Gage.
    Since I was staying home, Ryan had planned a night out with the guys. Rose was working late at the lab, so Poppy and I headed to the video store.
    "How about this one? Poppy said. She gestured toward one of the more gory selections in the horror section.
    I wrinkled my nose. "How about something with less slash and more suspense?
    Poppy wandered into the next aisle. A minute later, she came back waving a DVD. "We're going to watch this tonight."
    I peered at the movie in her hand. " Truly, Madly, Deeply? What's it about?"
    "You'll love it," she replied, but she didn't meet my eyes.
    I read the description on the back. "A ghost? You want to watch a movie about a doomed love affair with a ghost?"
    "I miss him, Daisy," she said softly, "but I know he's not coming back. As a ghost or anything else."
    I