The Call of the Wild by Julie Fison Read Free Book Online Page A

little orangutans hung from palm fronds on either side of the words Slushies in Paradise .
    ‘Unreal,’ said Liam, nodding approvingly. ‘You sure you’re not a professional artist?’
    ‘Not much to do with me,’ I said. ‘Kimmi’s the artist. I just did what I was told.’
    ‘It is you,’ came a voice from behind.
    I turned to see Jack striding towards us.
    ‘Hey, Phoebs, what’s it like to have your work in front of the public?’
    ‘Well, only Liam’s seen it so far. And now you.’
    Jack motioned towards the oval, where a large crowd had gathered while we were fussing with the banner. ‘Not the banner!’ he said, laughing.
    It was only then that I saw what was playing on the big screen. ‘Oh my god!’ I said excitedly. ‘It’s my film.’
    ‘Polly said she was going to put it to good use.’ Liam turned back to me, spread his arms wide and hugged me. ‘Congratulations! Your debut as a film director.’
    I felt my body stiffen as he held me, and then the warm fuzzy feeling that I normally got around Liam started going haywire. My heart leapt, and I couldn’t tell if it was the excitement of seeing my video or Liam’s hug that had caused it. I didn’t think he was the hugging type. Where had that come from?
    ‘I’m hardly a film director.’ I laughed awkwardly. ‘But I’m glad I could be of some use.’
    ‘I’m glad you decided the Wild Club needs you more than the Highgrove guys,’ Jack said. ‘And you’re here just in time.’ He nodded to a gang of kids that were heading up the slope towards the trailer.
    ‘Well, actually, I was just …’ I began.
    But by then Jack was climbing into the trailer and serving a customer. The queue for slushies was growing quickly.
    ‘It’d be great if you could stay,’ Liam said. ‘We could really use your help.’
    I felt a lump in my throat as he looked at me, waiting for a reply. Did Liam want me to stay just because he needed help, or was there more to it? The girls would be on their way to collect me by now. My phone had already gone off with a bunch of messages, no doubt from Annabel, telling me to hurry up.
    ‘Liam, give us a hand,’ Jack called from the trailer.
    ‘Coming,’ Liam called back, his eyes not leaving my face. He looked at me for a moment longer, and then raced off. My insides were in knots as I watched him, wondering what would happen if I stayed. Maybe we would end up on a blanket together under the stars, watching the end of the movie.
    I pulled out my phone, checking my messages. There were three from Annabel.
    We’re coming now.
    Almost there.
    Waiting out the front of the school!
    There was also a message from Saia. My tummy started cramping up as I read it.
    Thanks for bringing me good luck at the game today. Can’t wait to see you at the party. S xx
    I put my phone away and my head in my hands. What was I going to do? Should I stay to help Liam and Jack, or should I go to the party to meet up with Saia?
     
 

 

That afternoon, we stood beside the water feature in the shopping mall, where we’d arranged to meet the guys. I still hadn’t told my friends what I’d decided to do. I looked at my feet. I didn’t want to disappoint them, but the Wild Club was really important to me.
    ‘Listen, I’ve been thinking,’ I said. ‘I’ve got to go to the movie night.’
    Annabel’s face dropped, like I’d just told her I had an incurable disease. ‘That is literally the worst decision ever.’
    ‘You’ve gotta come to the party,’ Kimmi begged, pulling on my arm.
    I took a deep breath. ‘How about we all go to the movie night? It’ll be fun if we do it together,’ I tried.
    Annabel frowned. ‘That’s why we should go to Ryan’s party together.’
    ‘Annabel’s right, it won’t be the same without you,’ Kimmi added. ‘And Marco did make the effort to get us invited. It might seem a bit rude if you don’t show up.’
    I groaned to myself. ‘I have to help out,’ I explained. ‘I’ve been in the