All-Night Party Read Online Free PDF Page A

dropped open in disgust.
    â€œOhhhh. Gross!” she moaned.

Chapter
9

    â€œY uck!” Cindy made a disgusted face.
    â€œHey, you’re welcome,” Marco laughed. “If you don’t like them, I’ll take them back.”
    Cindy turned to Gretchen and Hannah. “He gave me a bunch of slasher movies,” she announced. She picked a videotape out of the box and read the title. “Bloodfest 4.”
    Gretchen stared at the video. The cover had a picture of a half-dressed girl shrinking away from a long dagger, dripping blood.
    Cindy groaned and made a face. “Ugh! How can any normal person watch that stuff?”
    Gretchen just shrugged. She couldn’t believe how rude Cindy was being. Why couldn’t she pretend to like Marco’s gift instead of hurting his feelings?
    â€œIf you don’t want the videos, can I have them?” Patrick asked. “I’ll add them to my collection.”
    Cindy waved a hand. “They’re yours.”
    â€œI don’t believe her,” Marco muttered, shaking his head.
    Gretchen glanced around the room at her friends. Everyone looked sort of down. And this was supposed to be a great night. Their awesome all-night party.
    â€œHow about some music?” Gretchen suggested. “It’s way too quiet in here!”
    â€œGood idea. Let’s crank it up. There’s no one around to complain,” Gil said.
    Gretchen inserted a CD into the portable CD player and turned the volume as high as it would go. A heavy rock-and-roll beat filled the room. She felt the wooden floorboards vibrating under her feet.
    â€œExcellent!” Hannah cried over the noise. She grabbed Gil by the hand and pulled him up to dance.
    â€œCome on, Gretchen,” Marco urged.
    â€œI don’t feel like it. Maybe later,” Gretchen stammered. “I feel sort of tired,” she added.
    â€œTired?” Marco cried. “You can’t be tired. This is an all-night party!”
    Before Gretchen could refuse again, Marco took her by the arm and started dancing. Gretchen gave up and started to dance, too.
    As they danced, Gretchen could see Cindy’s eyes locked on Gil and Hannah. Gil was whispering in her ear and Hannah had a smile on her face.
    Gretchen wondered if Cindy was sorry she hadbroken up with Gil. She knew that Cindy had been the one to drop him.
    It happened because Gil got into serious trouble. Some guys he used to hang out with decided to steal a car.
    Cindy’s parents went ballistic when they found out. A few days later, Cindy broke up with Gil.
    After that, Gil and Hannah started going out.
    Gretchen couldn’t understand Hannah’s attraction to Gil. Sure, he was cute enough, with his high cheekbones, blue eyes, and jet-black hair.
    But he wasn’t such a prize. Who wanted a boyfriend who was constantly coming on to his ex-girlfriend?
    Gretchen’s eyes drifted away from Gil and Hannah. Patrick was stuffing his face with another hot dog.
    Jackson leaned against the wall next to the fireplace. His arms were crossed over his chest.
    His dark eyes were riveted on her.
    Watching.
    Following her every move.

Chapter
10

    T he song ended. Gretchen pulled away from Marco.
    â€œI’m going outside to get some more wood for the fire,” she said.
    â€œWant some help?” he offered.
    Gretchen knew if Marco tagged along, they wouldn’t be gathering wood. He’d want the two of them to find a private spot and make out.
    The thought made her stomach knot.
    â€œNo thanks,” Gretchen replied. What she really wanted was to get away from Marco—and Jackson—for a while.
    She was really beginning to feel trapped inside the little cabin.
    Grabbing a flashlight off the fireplace mantel, Gretchen headed for the door. She could feel Jackson’s gaze following her, but she didn’t turn around.
    â€œWe’ll walk out with you,” Hannah called. “Gil and I are going down to the