Lunatic Revenge by Sharon Sala Read Free Book Online Page A

frowned. “Guys  . . . seriously?”
    Penny sighed. “Okay  . . . live and let live. To each his own. Whatever floats your boat. Is that apology enough?”
    Nikki shrugged. “We don’t make fun of people and we don’t bully.”
    Mac shrugged. “Well, I seriously doubt anyone is bullying that guy. Did you see how tall he was? And all those black clothes, even a black poncho? OMG! Anyone with a Dracula fetish? Have I got a dude for you?”
    Tara hid a grin by taking a bite of her burger. She was chewing and dunking a fry in ketchup when her inner self said look up now. So she did, straight into the forbidding gaze of French Langdon.
    He was sitting at the table right in front of her, staring at her over Nikki’s shoulder. She started to smile. After all, they’d already almost met, and he had saved her from a nasty spill, but the moment he knew he’d been caught, he stood up and walked away.
    Tara frowned. That was weird, but then so was French Langdon. Whatever. She poked the fry into her mouth and tuned back into what the girls were saying.
    “So, can you come?” Nikki asked.
    Tara blinked. “Come where?”
    “To the slumber party at my house Saturday night? It’s my birthday and Mom and Dad said I could invite three girls.”
    Tara was so surprised she almost choked, then took a drink to clear her throat. “You’re asking me to a slumber party?”
    Nikki frowned. “Well, yeah. What’s so surprising about that?”
    Tara grinned. “I’ve never been to a slumber party before.”
    “You’re kidding. Why not?”
    Tara shrugged. “Never lived in one place long enough to make friends who asked.”
    Nikki laughed and then high-fived her. “Girl, you do have some life left to live. Do you think your uncle will let you come?”
    “Yes, he won’t care. OMG, this is amazing. I am so stoked,” Tara said, and then dunked a fry in the ketchup and popped it in her mouth to celebrate.
    “So. My house Saturday at 3:00 p.m. No presents. The party is my present, okay?” Nikki said.
    “Deal,” the girls said.
    “Deal,” Tara echoed, then asked. “Uh  . . . so Nikki?”
    “Yeah?”
    “What do we do at slumber parties?”
    “Eat, stay up all night, watch mushy movies, paint our nails, talk about people we don’t like and hot boys.”
    Tara grinned. “I can do that.”
    “This is going to be the best slumber party ever,” Nikki said.
    The bell rang.
    Everyone still in the lunchroom started scrambling, dumping their scraps and trays and heading for the next class.
    The rest of the day passed without incident. Prissy was noticeably absent in the halls, and French Langdon seemed to be missing in action, too, but Tara hadn’t given them another thought. She was too focused on telling her uncle Pat about the invitation and wondering what was happening with Flynn.
    Tara had supper all ready to eat, but Uncle Pat was late. Then he called to tell her there was a big water-main break just off Main Street and they’d roped in some extra help, including him. It left Tara with time on her hands and a guilty conscience she had yet to address.
    Twirp him, Tara.
    Tara sighed. “Not Twirp—it’s Tweet, and it’s still not the right contact. I need to text.”
    Tex? Isn’t that a state?
    Tara laughed. “You’re thinking of Texas, not text, and before you ask another question, I’m going to contact him. Now.”
    Be gentle . Henry says he’s been crying a lot.
    Tears welled. “I didn’t help make him feel any better.”
    So now you will.
    Tara’s shoulders slumped. “I will try.”
    She picked up her phone, linked to her contact list, and then hesitated a few moments, trying to figure out what to say then realized there was only one thing to say to Flynn.
    I’m sorry.
    She hit Send, then sat motionless, staring at the screen and praying for an answer.
    The house grew so quiet she lost touch with the outside world. She could hear a clock ticking. The scent of macaroni and cheese she’d made for supper