Rhymes With Witches by Lauren Myracle Read Free Book Online Page B

Pammy said. She giggled. “Little Miss Greedy-Guts, stealing all the boys away.”
    There was a pause. Then, “Little Miss Greedy-Guts?”
    â€œShe didn’t mean it like that,” Sukie interjected. “Right, Pammy? She just meant—”
    â€œWhat if I want to be Little Miss Greedy-Guts?” Bitsy asked, dangerously smooth.
    Pammy’s giggles dried up. “I just … it’s just that you’re so beautiful and funny, and your accent is so adorable. None of us has a chance when you’re around.”
    â€œMaybe none of you has a chance because you’re whining slags,” Bitsy said.
    Sukie tried to laugh. “Bitsy. Don’t be like that.”
    â€œLike what? Honest?”
    A drip of condensation rolled down my glass.
    â€œEvery boy in the school wants to go out with you, that’s all,” Sukie said. “I mean, not that it’s your fault.”
    â€œOf course not!” Pammy chimed in. “I never meant it was your
fault
. Oh my god, is that what you thought?”
    â€œIt’s just a fact of life,” Sukie went on. “You think Payton would be going out with me if he thought he had a shot with you?”
    â€œAnd Ryan Overturf,” Pammy said. “Last year he wouldn’t give me a second look. He was all Bitsy, Bitsy, Bitsy. But now that you’re with Brad—”
    â€œEnough,” Bitsy commanded.
    They both shut up. I gripped my glass.
    But when Bitsy spoke again, it was in a new voice. “So, Pammy. You fancy Ryan, do you?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Pammy said hesitantly. “Maybe? And I think—I mean, probably not—but sometimes I think maybe he likes me back?”
    â€œOh, he likes you. No worries there, luv.”
    Now Bitsy was being
too
nice. It worried me.
    â€œReally?” Pammy said. Her hopefulness was excruciating “Has he … has he said something to you?”
    Bitsy laughed. “Not just to me. To anyone who’ll listen.”
    â€œBitsy …” Sukie said.
    Pammy started hyperventilating. “Oh my god, oh my god. You have to tell me!”
    â€œWell, you do know he drives by your house practically every night, right?” Bitsy said. “Sometimes he parks at the corner and just moons up at the house.”
    â€œHe does?”
    â€œHe says you leave your curtains open, you sly dog. He says it’s quite the peep show.”
    â€œHe says—what?”
    â€œSays you’ve got quite good form, really. The whole innocent school girl act, prancing before the mirror in matching bra and panties …”
    Pammy’s confusion made her stupid. “
What?
I don’t … I swear, I never—”
    â€œLook, pet, I think it’s brilliant,” Bitsy soothed. “Give him a taste and make him beg for more. Him and all the other blokes he’s told.”
    â€œHe’s lying,” Pammy whispered. “I don’t leave my curtains open, I swear.”
    Feet slapped the floor. “Ladies, ladies,” a male voice said.
Kyle
. “Your presence is required. We’re starting a game of butt quarters.”
    â€œButt quarters, ooo goody,” Bitsy said. “Sukie, Pammy? You in?”
    Pammy sniffled. “I … I need to go to the bathroom,” she said. She fled the room.
    â€œGood grief,” Kyle said, clearly confused. “Was she
crying
?”
    â€œHere, Kyle,” Bitsy said. “Have some chips.” The bag rattled. Kyle crunched.
    â€œDid Ryan really say all that?” Sukie asked in an undertone.
    â€œShe really should be more careful,” Bitsy replied.
    â€œFor Christ’s sake, these chips are stale,” Kyle complained. “Thatis the last time I buy organic, the environment be damned.”
    â€œAbso-bloody-lutely,” Bitsy said. “Preservatives or die.”
    Kyle strode past the island to the pantry, and my blood froze. He stood within feet