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

club all year, and I feel bad enough that I didn’t go to the last few meetings. I can’t just abandon it because I’ve got a party to go to.’
    Kimmi looked at me carefully. ‘Are you sure this isn’t about you having a thing for Liam?’
    ‘No!’ I insisted. ‘I told you, we’ll never be more than just friends.’
    ‘Really?’ asked Annabel. ‘But he’s such a hottie. Are you sure you don’t like him?’
    ‘Yes!’ We’d been in the Wild Club together all year and nothing had happened. ‘I know he’s cute, but I’m pretty sure he’s not interested.’
    ‘Seriously?’ Annabel smiled. ‘So he’s free? I mean, you don’t mind if I hang out with him a bit?’
    ‘Annabel!’ Kimmi and I chorused.
    ‘What about Ryan Baker?’ Kimmi asked.
    ‘I still think Ryan’s cute. But it’s not like he’s my boyfriend. I don’t even know him, really. Why can’t I like two guys?’ said Annabel, folding her arms.
    ‘I don’t have a problem with you hanging out with Liam,’ I said to Annabel. ‘Go right ahead.’
    ‘Shh! They’re coming!’ Kimmi hissed, her eyes darting down the mall.
    Liam and Jack were walking towards us. Liam looked his usual relaxed self, probably even more chilled, now that he was out of uniform. He’d changed into a blue T-shirt that went really well with his eyes. My stomach did a weird little flip.
    ‘Hey there!’ I said, a little too brightly. ‘All ready for work?’
    Liam nodded. ‘Ready as we’ll ever be.’
    Annabel flicked her hair over her shoulder and edged closer to Liam. ‘We should probably split up if we’re going to get everything done. What do you think, Liam?’
    ‘Sure,’ he shrugged.
    Annabel clapped her hands together. ‘Okay. Kimmi and Phoebs, you can hunt down some paints for the banner. I’ll go with the guys to get the slushie machine. Meet you back here in an hour?’
    Before I had a chance to work out what was happening, Annabel was leading Liam and Jack up the escalator.
    ‘Wow, that was quick work,’ I muttered to Kimmi, slightly stunned.
    ‘You know what Annabel’s like once she’s got her heart set on something,’ said Kimmi. ‘But you know, I don’t think he’s interested in her anyway.’
    ‘Oh well, if anyone can talk the slushie shop owners into handing over one of their machines, it’ll be Annabel,’ I laughed.
    Kimmi hesitated. ‘Are you sure you’re not feeling jealous that Annabel is hanging out with Liam and you’re not?’
    I sighed and shook my head. ‘No. I don’t think so. It’s not like that. It’s just …’ It was hard to explain. My feelings were all jumbled up. ‘She wasn’t interested in the Wild Club all year, and now she is, but only because of Liam.’ I took a deep breath and tried to push my feelings aside. ‘Anyway,’ I said, grabbing Kimmi’s arm. ‘Come on. Let’s go to the art shop.’
    We wandered off towards the art shop, where Kimmi thought she might be able to get paints for the banner, but I was distracted. My eyes kept darting to the top floor of the mall, hoping to catch sight of the others. I felt a knot forming in my stomach at the thought of Annabel with Liam. He was my friend. It didn’t seem quite right that she was with him.
    ‘Look there!’ Kimmi said, suddenly.
    My eyes flashed around the top floor, searching for Liam.
    ‘No, there!’ Kimmi said, pointing into a jewellery shop. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the middle of the glittering store. Her face lit up with excitement.
    Kimmi reached for a bright pink necklace that was hanging on the wall and held it up. ‘What do you think? Would this go with the top I’m wearing to the party?’
    Before I had a chance to answer, her eyes had darted to another necklace. ‘Or what about this one?’
    I shook my head. ‘We’re really meant to be getting things done for the movie night,’ I said.
    ‘Oh, yeah,’ Kimmi sighed, putting the necklace back. Then her face brightened. ‘Why don’t we do both? Let’s