The Star Group by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

have to be so bad,” she said. “We make our own choices.”
    Sal looked away. “A lot of choices are made for us.”
    I didn't want the conversation to sink down.
    “Hey, let's sit down,” I said. “The teachers are all pointing at the chairs. I think they want to get started.”
    The three of us ignored our seating assignments and sat together in the rear. This was brave of Teri since she was supposed to speak. Sal told her to get up there, but she just shook her head and gripped his hand.
    Gale joined us two minutes later.
    She looked much better than Sal in her gown. She looked, in fact, like everything I had ever dreamed of. Her blonde bangs peeked out from beneath her cap and her preen eyes sparkled with excitement. She still looked flushed, as she had that afternoon, with life and excitement. I hoped I played a small part in her enthusiasm.
    “We're going to have to step over people when they call our names,” she said.
    “I don't care if you don't care,” I said.
    “I certainly don't care.” She studied me. “I think long blue gowns suit you.”
    “Because they cover everything up?”
    “That's it.” Gale looked over at Teri. “What’s your speech about?”
    Teri glanced at Sal. “Making commitments.”
    Gale was interested. “In relationships? School? Work?”
    Teri let go of Sal's hand and crossed her arms over her chest.
    “All of the above,” she said.
    “Just don't mention me in your speech,” Sal muttered.
    “No problem,” Teri said.
    Gale peeked under my cap. “Did you cut your hair?”
    I shrugged. “Just a little.”
    “But I wanted to cut it. You promised me.”
    I pushed my cap back down. “When you see it later you’ll be relieved to know it needs a lot more attention.”
    “I heard your car's not working,” Gale said.
    “Where did you hear that?” I asked.
    “I just spoke to your parents.”
    “ What? ” I hadn't been able to find them myself.
    Gale grinned. “They're neat. I met them in the parking lot. They told me a lot about you and made you sound like a good catch. But I don't know, I’m kind of suspicious that they're prejudiced.”
    “What did they say exactly?”
    “That you've been pining away for me for years.”
    I acted bored. “They're confusing you with somebody else.”
    She poked me. I got the feeling she liked to touch. “What's her name?”
    “ Their names. Not one of them is called Gale.”
    She acted offended. “Hey, you want to take me to Disneyland or not?”
    I nodded. “I do. Don't worry, I got Jimmy’s car.”
    Gale's face darkened. “I feel terrible Shena's not here.”
    “It's not your fault.”
    Gale shook her head. “I was there that night, remember? It was my fault as much as anybody's.” She paused. “I think Shena hates me, too.”
    “Shena doesn't hate anyone.”
    Gale stared at the stage. “I wouldn't be so sure about that.”
    Finally the ceremony got underway. We pledged our allegiances to the flag and sang the national anthem. The principal introduced our class – we all shouted and waved our caps – and then the class president said a few boring words. Then I got the shock of my life. He called Gale up to sing a song. She stood nonchalantly.
    “Did you know you had to sing?” I gasped.
    “Yeah.” She smiled. “You didn't know I could, did you?”
    “No. What else can you do?”
    She giggled. “You should be so lucky to know.”
    Gale walked casually on to the stage and nodded to another music student at the piano. The crowd applauded lightly as she stepped behind the microphone and then settled down. I noticed Teri smiling slyly. Gale began to sway slightly, even before she burst into song. The piano suddenly exploded in familiar chords. Elton John – ‘Crocodile Rock.’
    “I remember when rock was young! Me and Suzy had so much fun!”
    Our entire graduating class jumped up and started dancing. Obviously, with the song so near the beginning, the organizing committee hadn't planned on Gale's bringing