First Date by R.L. Stine, Sammy Yuen Jr. Read Free Book Online Page A

started to say something, but the dog came flying by just then, its paws sliding across the hard tile floor, its eyes wild and excited.
    â€œLet it go! Open the door and let it go!” someone was yelling.
    At the end of the hall someone pushed open thedouble doors, and still slipping and sliding, the grateful dog bounded outside and disappeared.
    A happy cheer rang through the hall. After a few more minutes of laughter and excited buzzing, kids pulled on their coats, picked up their books, and started to leave.
    â€œI want to tell you about this boy who came into the restaurant a couple of times,” Chelsea said, jostled by two guys in hockey uniforms, carrying hockey sticks, trying to squeeze past her.
    Nina turned the combination lock on her locker, making sure it was locked, then she remembered a book she needed. With a frustrated groan she started turning the combination wheel again.
    â€œHe’s sort of tough looking,” Chelsea continued. “His name is Tim Sparks, but he says everyone calls him Sparks. He seems moody. I mean, sort of angry. But maybe he’s just shy or something. The first time he came into the restaurant, he asked me out. But I didn’t say anything. I mean, we were interrupted. By my dad. So then—”
    â€œI just don’t believe Doug,” Nina interrupted. Her face was hidden by the open locker door. She was squatting down on her knees, searching for the book on the floor of the locker. “I mean, Suki Thomas is such a tramp.”
    â€œAnyway, I think he’s kind of interesting,” Chelsea continued. But then she stopped. She realizedshe was wasting her breath. “You haven’t heard a word I said,” she accused Nina.
    Nina climbed to her feet and closed the locker door. “Huh?” She wrinkled her forehead in consternation. “Sorry, Chelsea. I was thinking about something else.” And then her eyes grew wide. “Hey, there he is. Hey—Doug!” she called. “Doug, wait up!”
    Struggling to shove her books into her backpack, she hurried down the hall to catch up with her boyfriend.
    Feeling let down and disappointed, Chelsea stood staring after Nina for a while. Then she closed Nina’s locker for her, made sure it was locked, and trudged toward the front door of the high school.
    Nina’s a good friend—when Doug isn’t around, she thought unhappily. But when he’s around, I’m invisible.
    She was a few steps from the door when a hand touched her shoulder. Startled, she stopped abruptly and twisted back.
    It was Will Blakely.
    His cheeks were bright pink, and he was smiling shyly. His black hair was poking out from under a navy blue Dodgers cap. He was carrying a large looseleaf binder and one textbook under the arm of his black and tan wool jacket.
    â€œHi,” he said, his smile growing wider.
    â€œOh. Hi,” Chelsea replied. “How are you?” He shrugged. “Okay.”
    â€œThat’s not a Shadyside jacket,” Chelsea said, pointing.
    What a dumb comment, she thought. Of
course
it’s not a Shadyside jacket. Nothing like saying the obvious.
    â€œIt’s—uh—from my old school.”
    â€œWhere was that?” she asked, shifting her backpack on her shoulders.
    â€œDown South,” Will said, staring past her. “You doing anything?” He continued to avoid her eyes.
    â€œI was just going home,” Chelsea said. Two kids from their homeroom pushed past them, waving as they headed out the door. “I have to go to work in a couple of hours.”
    â€œOh.” His face filled with disappointment. “Then I guess you don’t have time to take a walk.”
    â€œOh. Sure. Sure, I do,” Chelsea replied excitedly. “A walk would be nice. It’s a pretty day.”
    She peered out through the doors as some kids opened them. Clouds had covered the sun. The sky was overcast and gray. “I guess it
was
a nice