Halloween Party Read Online Free PDF Page A

mask.”
    Swaggering, the two bullies disappeared into the hall.
    Justine stared after them a moment. “Nice guys,” she said.
    â€œThey think they’re bad dudes,” Terry said. “When it comes down to it, they’re probably the two biggest cowards in Shadyside.”
    â€œWell, I think what you did was really brave,” Justine said, giving him a brilliant and somehow intimate smile. “Thank you.”
    Terry noticed that she had her shiny blond hair pulled back in a braid and was wearing a lime-colored sweater that made her green eyes appear even greener.
    â€œHey, listen, don’t worry about those two,” said Terry. Then suddenly he realized what he’d done. He’d stood up to the two meanest guys at Shadyside.
    I could’ve been dead meat! he thought.
    Was I out of my head, or what?
    â€œYou were wonderful,” Justine said. “Some day I’d like to show you just how grateful I am.” She let her smile linger, then went on. “I also want to apologize to you,” she added, her musical voice low and intimate.
    â€œApologize?” said Terry, surprised. “For what?”
    Justine looked embarrassed. “I—I understand that my party invitations have caused some trouble. That there’s some sort of contest.”
    â€œWell, yeah,” said Terry. “But it’s not your fault.”
    â€œThank you for saying so,” said Justine. “I never meant the party to cause any bad feelings. All I really want to do is have a few special people over so I can get to know you all better.” For a moment she lightly rested her fingertips on Terry’s arm. He felt a jolt of electricity travel up his arm and then through his body.
    â€œWell—uh—hey, I mean— We’d, uh—we’d all like to get to know you better too,” he stammered.
    â€œI mean,” Justine continued, “there’s no need for a contest. I have plenty of excitement planned without it. The whole idea just seems really silly.”
    â€œThat’s what Niki says too,” said Terry. “Niki, my girlfriend,” he added quickly. “In fact, she won’t have anything to do with the contest.”
    â€œGood for her,” said Justine. “She’s in my gym class, you know. Is it really true she’s deaf? Someone told me she was, but it’s hard to believe.”
    â€œIt’s true,” said Terry. “But most people can’t tell.”
    â€œI’m so glad she’s coming to the party too,” said Justine. “I don’t have any close girlfriends in Shadyside, and I have a really special feeling about Niki.”
    â€œI’ll tell her,” said Terry. He left feeling warm inside. This party was really going to be special, he thought. And no one—not even Alex—was going to spoil it for him and Niki.
    N iki was waiting at his locker when school was over. When she saw him walk up, she smiled sheepishly. “Hi, Terry,” she said.
    â€œHi, Funny Face.”
    â€œI’m sorry I got so mad before,” she said.
    â€œIt’s okay,” he said. “I’m sorry too. You were right.I’ve been taking the contest too seriously. I promise from now on to just forget about it and relax.”
    â€œGood,” said Niki.
    Terry smiled at her. It was good to see her happy again. And he felt more relaxed than he had all week too. “So, which way should we walk home?” he asked. “The long way or the shortcut?”
    â€œI think the long way would be nice, don’t you?” said Niki, squeezing his hand.
    â€œYou bet,” said Terry. The long way would mean an extra ten minutes of just the two of them alone together.
    Terry stuffed his gear in his day pack. “Here, let me have your books,” he told Niki.
    She handed him her stack of books, but as she did, her geography book fell to the floor and a small scrap of paper