What Holly Heard

What Holly Heard by R.L. Stine, Bill Schmidt Read Free Book Online

Book: What Holly Heard by R.L. Stine, Bill Schmidt Read Free Book Online
Authors: R.L. Stine, Bill Schmidt
Holly asked quietly.
    â€œMy fingers are sore, but that’s no big deal.”
    â€œNo, Miriam, it is a big deal. Jed tried to hurt you. What is his
problem?”
    Miriam could see the anger on her friend’s face.
    â€œIt’s the pressure, Holly. He’s so scared of losing the playoffs and the scholarship that he’s self-destructing.”
    Holly scowled. “Don’t defend him. Any guy who will hurt you like that isn’t worth it.”
    â€œHe’ll be okay,” Miriam replied. “He just needs a little time, that’s all. I’m
not
defending him.”
    â€œYes, you are. Listen to yourself.”
    Miriam realized Holly was right. “I can’t help it, Holl,” she answered softly. “I care about him. I really do.”
    â€œI know.” Holly put a hand on Miriam’s arm. “But if he tries something like that again, you have to do something. I saw him drop that guy on the court. Jed just totally lost it. He’s messed up.”
    The words echoed in Miriam’s ears as she massaged her sore fingers. All she could do was hope Holly was wrong.
    Monday morning at school Miriam met Ruth by her locker. Ruth had gone away with her mother on Sunday, so Miriam couldn’t phone her. Miriam wanted to tell Ruth all the news from Saturday night.
    Ruth was happy to hear that Shadyside had won the game. But her mood darkened when Miriam told her about Jed.
    â€œThat’s really scary,” she said in a shocked whisper. “Maybe you should try to get him some help.”
    â€œNo, he’ll be all right. As I told Holly, he just needs some time. He’ll be okay.”
    â€œI hope so,” Ruth murmured. “For your sake.”
    Miriam nodded. Jed
would
be all right. She was sure of it. After he got his scholarship, he’d go back to his old, lovable self.
    Miriam was sick of her friends being worried about Jed. She decided to change the subject.
    â€œWait till you hear
this.”
She giggled. “I almost forgot.”
    She told Ruth about Holly and how she had eavesdroppedon Mei and Noah. How she heard that Mei was plotting to kill her mother so she could be with Noah. “It scared Holly to death,” Miriam confided.
    Ruth laughed, for the first time in ages. “Serves her right! It’s about time gossip got Holly in trouble.”
    Miriam felt a little guilty for laughing at Holly behind her back. Holly had been genuinely frightened.
    But since Ruth’s father died, her laughter was rare. Any humor, however twisted, was probably a good thing, Miriam decided.
    â€œMei plotting to kill her mother,” Ruth said, shaking her head. “Yeah,
right.
Mei wouldn’t risk breaking a nail.”
    â€œYou’re so mean,” Miriam scolded.
    â€œWhat weapon would Mei use?” asked Ruth. “An eye pencil? Nail polish fumes?”
    â€œRuth! Stop it.”
    â€œNo, wait, I’ve got it. Death by blow-dryer!”
    Miriam couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She had forgotten how funny Ruth could be. She leaned against her locker for support, laughing as she pictured Mei chasing her mother with a can of hair spray.
    She opened her eyes to find Holly standing in front of them.
    â€œHey, Holl!” she greeted cheerfully.
    Holly didn’t reply. Her lower lip trembled, and her hands were clenched into fists.
    â€œGuess w-what I just heard,” she stammered.
    Miriam’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”
    â€œMei’s mother is dead.”

chapter 10

    D ead.
    The word exploded in Miriam’s head. For a moment everything went white.
    Dead. Dead.
    The word repeated, until it had no meaning.
    â€œThat’s not funny!” Ruth gasped.
    Holly shook her head. “I’m serious. They found her last night. At the bottom of the front staircase. You know. The spiral one.” Holly swallowed hard. “Her neck was broken.”
    Miriam struggled to breathe. She opened

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