The New Year's Party by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

happened,” she told Greta.

    â€œWell, it did. And it was Artie’s fault.”
    Reenie saw Sean with his lunch tray. She waved and pointed to the empty seat across from her.
    â€œArtie had no way of knowing I’d slip and fall,” she reminded her friend.
    Sean slid into the spot next to Greta.
    â€œIt was still a horrible thing to do,” Greta insisted.
    â€œWhat?” Sean asked. He scooped up a forkful of bright orange macaroni and cheese.
    â€œGreta’s furious at Artie for what happened yesterday,” Reenie replied.
    â€œIt was an accident,” Sean protested.
    Greta leaped to her feet. “I’m going to go get an icecream bar,” Greta announced. “I’ll be right back.”
    She must be really upset, Reenie thought. Greta hardly ever ate dessert. But when she felt bad, she always headed for chocolate.
    â€œWhat’s her problem?” Sean asked.
    â€œShe and Artie are always fighting,” Reenie told him. “She hates the way he acts when he hangs out with Marc Bentley. She’s afraid Artie might drop out of school and get a job where Marc works.”
    â€œCould happen, I guess. Artie’s family needs cash right now. But Artie hasn’t mentioned dropping out to me.” Sean shoveled in more of the macaroni and cheese.
    Reenie played with her salad, pushing the celery and carrots into separate piles with her fork. She wasn’t hungry. She kept remembering the panic she felt when she struggled to the surface of Fear Lake—and hit the wall of ice.

    She couldn’t force it from her mind.
    Reenie glanced up at Sean and found him staring over her shoulder with an odd expression on his face. “Check it out,” he murmured.
    Reenie turned and scanned the room. At first she couldn’t figure out what Sean wanted her to see. Then she saw Greta and P.J. standing close together at the back of the lunchroom. So engrossed in conversation they seemed unaware of anything but each other.
    Sean turned back to Reenie. “I don’t believe it,” he whispered. “Greta and P.J. Is that a weird couple—or what?”
    â€œShe likes weird guys. What can I say?” Reenie risked another quick peek at Greta and P.J. Greta was laughing hard, and P.J. appeared pleased with himself.
    â€œI think Artie and Greta will make up,” Reenie declared. “They’ve been going together forever.”
    â€œMaybe,” Sean agreed. “But Artie is not going to be too happy if he finds Greta flirting with another guy.”
    â€œUh-oh,” Reenie whispered. “I think he knows.”
    She nodded toward the big double doors at the front of the cafeteria.
    Artie stood there, glaring across the room at Greta and P.J. His hands clenched into fists. His face taut with anger.
    Reenie raised a hand to her mouth as she watched Artie lurch toward Greta and P.J.
    Please don’t do anything stupid, Reenie silently begged.

Chapter 12

DANGER AHEAD
    â€œ
I ’ve got to stop him,” Sean told her. He jumped to his feet and hurried over to Artie.
    Reenie kept her eyes on Greta. Greta hadn’t noticed Artie yet. She tenderly brushed a lock of hair off P.J.’s forehead and smiled at him.
    Reenie turned back toward Artie. Sean appeared to be calming Artie down. Artie’s hands relaxed at his sides. His face returned to its usual color. Then Sean slapped him on the shoulder, and Artie whirled around and stalked out the double doors of the cafeteria.
    Sean knew exactly what to say to him, Reenie thought. But I’ll bet Greta and Artie will have a hugefight the next time they are together. I hope Tm not around to watch it.
    â€œI thought Artie was going to go ballistic!” Sean exclaimed as he sat back down across from Reenie. “I told him he’d look like a jerk if he got into a fight in the lunchroom.
    â€œWow. He looked scary,” Reenie said. “I wouldn’t want Artie mad