On the Avenue Read Online Free PDF Page B

there was no one around who could have heard the noisy scene.
    “What now?” Coco asked breathlessly.
    “We have to keep running,” Lex said, bending down and scooping Champagne into her arms. “These paparazzi are nuts! He'll follow us straight into the gala!”
    “Just delete the picture and leave the camera here,” Jeremy suggested. “That way he'll leave us alone.”
    Park grabbed the camera from Lex's right hand. It was a sophisticated piece of machinery, pulsing with a bunch of tiny lights and buttons. She began stabbing them with her fingers just as the bathroom door flew open.
    The man appeared on the threshold, looking dazed and disheveled but totally enraged. “Don't you kids move!” he screamed.
    Park hugged the camera to her chest. It was her natural instinct to dispel all traces of panic, so instead of shouting or running, she held her hand out and said, “Stop right there, sir.” She locked eyes with the little man and calmly passed the camera to Madison. Then she put both hands on her hips and tossed her head back. “Now, it's obvious that we havean ugly situation on our hands, but we all need something. We need you to let us delete the pictures you snapped, and you need us to return your camera. So if you'll kindly remain exactly where you are, we'll do what's necessary and all will be well. All those in agreement raise their hands.”
    Looking stunned but hopeful, Madison, Lex, Coco, and Jeremy all raised their hands slowly.
    “Great,” Park said with a smile. “Now, sir, I know you don't agree, but majority rules. Madison, please begin the deletion process.…”
    But as her voice trailed off, the photographer took a small step toward them. Nostrils flaring, temples pulsating, he shook his head and said, “If you don't hand over that camera, I'll kill every one of you with my bare hands.”
    No one moved.
    “Fine,” he whispered angrily. His right arm shot out and latched on to the hem of Lex's dress.
    Lex instinctively jumped back. The force of the jolt tore a jagged line down the middle of the frock.
    Madison gasped.
    Park bit down on her lip.
    Coco stepped back, bringing Jeremy with her. It was a gesture of pure concern, because the girls all understood the severity of what had just occurred.
    For a moment Lex looked as though she'd been slapped in the face. When the shock finally subsided,she stared down at herself—at her one-of-a-kind Triple Threat dress—and took a deep breath. “You little piece of shit,” she seethed, her eyes blazing at the man. “You tore my dress!”
    The guttural tone of her voice was so frightening, the paparazzo started.
    “You tore my dress!”
Lex screeched. “Now it's war!” Cradling Champagne tightly against her stomach, she locked her fingers on the long strap of the magic purse and raised it above her head.
    “Reach for your stilettos,” Park yelled, crouching down as she glanced from Madison to Coco to Jeremy.
    Her teeth bared, Lex swung the heavy purse like a propeller at full throttle and then took perfect aim at the paparazzo's belly.
    The blow found its target. The little man hunched over as the purse nailed him with the force of a brick. His “Oh” came out on a strangled breath.
    “Try it again,” Lex shouted, “and I'll get you below the belt!”
    Park stood up straight again. She shook her head, looking pained. “For God's sake, Lex, you're gonna kill somebody with that thing! Sir, are you okay? Should we call the paramedics?”
    “Fuck that!” Coco said.
    “Totally,” Jeremy agreed. “Dude got what he deserved.”
    “Did I?” The man balanced himself against thewall, his voice low, angry. He was sweating and out of breath. But a determined gleam lit his eyes as he stared at Madison—and the camera in her hands. He assumed a sprinting position and let out a dramatic roar.
    “Okay,” Park said matter-of-factly, clapping her hands. “Everybody run.”
    Madison moved first. She turned left, away from the direction of the