Halloween Party by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

Niki,” said Alex teasingly, “don’t you think it’s about time you joined the jock team?”
    Niki’s eyes changed. She was no longer flirtatious, but sad now—and a little angry. “Oh, will you two stop it with your idiotic games? I’ve said a hundred times I’m not on either side!”
    She abruptly stood up and walked toward the fireplace.
    The dance music had started again, and Terry was surprised to see Niki ask Ricky to dance.
    â€œWhat’s with her?” Alex asked Terry. “I guess she’s been hanging out with you for so long, she’s forgotten how to take a joke.”
    â€œHey, Beale, you’re the joke,” Terry muttered. “She just doesn’t like the whole contest idea.”
    â€œHey, man, I thought you were supposed to be such a good talker. You know, debate team and everything. And you mean you couldn’t talk Niki into joining your team? Whoa!”
    â€œNiki makes her own decisions.” Terry stood up. “I don’t own her.”
    â€œWow. Heavy talk, Ryan. Back off, okay?” Alex leaned away from Terry and put up his hands as if shielding himself. “You and I used to be friends, remember?”
    Used to be, Terry thought. Those are the key words.
    He realized that Alex was reaching out to him. Alex was deliberately reminding him of what good buddies they had been until very recently.
    Alex was staring at him expectantly, but Terry couldn’t respond. He just had a bad feeling aboutAlex. He couldn’t pretend to want him as a friend again.
    Alex’s eyes filled with disappointment. “Later, man,” he said abruptly, and got up quickly from the bench.
    Alex walked toward the glowing fireplace with a swagger. The song on the tape ended. Alex stepped up to Niki and Ricky and smoothly took Niki’s hand.
    As if he owns it or something, Terry thought, watching with growing discomfort.
    Trying not to look as if he were watching, Terry kept sneaking glances at Alex and Niki. They were dancing to a fast number, and Niki was smiling.
    Does she have to smile? Terry asked himself. Maybe he should go over and interrupt them. But that would just make Niki angry, and Terry really didn’t want any kind of confrontation with Alex.
    He watched some of the others for a while. Ricky and Trisha were dancing together again. While he watched, Ricky said something that made Trisha laugh so hard she almost fell over.
    David was dancing with Angela. He was a pretty good dancer, and Terry realized that he didn’t really know David. He was quieter than the other jocks and didn’t seem to take the competition as seriously as the rest of them did.
    The song ended and another began. Niki was still dancing with Alex. Enough is enough, Terry told himself. He started to cross to them when a musical voice stopped him.
    â€œGoing somewhere?”
    Terry twisted around to see Justine standing behind a loveseat.
    â€œI, uh, thought I’d dance,” said Terry.
    â€œIsn’t that a coincidence?” said Justine. “I was just thinking the same thing. How about dancing with me?” She gave him her warmest smile, and Terry felt the knot in his stomach start to dissolve.
    â€œWell, sure,” he said. “I’d love to.”
    â€œGood,” said Justine. She took his hand and led him over near the fireplace. A slow tune was playing on the tape player. Terry saw Niki whirl past with Alex, the Silver Prince, but she didn’t see him.
    Up close Terry became very aware of Justine’s animal warmth and her perfume, a faint musky scent different from anything he had smelled before. She settled even closer, pressing her body tightly against his.
    â€œHow are you enjoying the party?” she asked huskily.
    â€œIt’s great,” he said sincerely. “I think everyone is really in a party mood now.”
    â€œGood,” said Justine. “It’s very important to me for all of