Party Games Read Online Free PDF Page A

his heavy shoulder on me. I pushed him upright. “Have you been to his birthday parties before? You have, right?”
    â€œYeah. They’re awesome,” he said. He brushed back his wavy blond hair. “Totally wild. I mean, like out of control.”
    I laughed. “What do you mean?”
    He leaned on me again. “You know. You know what happens when a bunch of us spend the night together and there are no parents around.”
    â€œYou mean it’s that kind of party?”
    â€œYou can never predict Brendan. He always has some surprises. You know. He’s the game master. We all bow down to his brilliance.” He bowed down and nearly fell onto the row of seats in front of us.
    I laughed. “You know what your problem is. You’re way too serious. You should lighten up.”
    â€œEveryone tells me that.”
    The next question just blurted from my mouth. “Why do you think Brendan invited me to his birthday party? I’ve seen him around school forever. But we’re not really friends.”
    Eric pinched my nose. “I think he likes you.”
    â€œHuh?” I shoved his hand away. “What do you mean? How do you know?”
    He shrugged. “He told me.”
    â€œHe told you what? What did he say?” Why was my heart flip-flopping in my chest?
    A sly grin spread over Eric’s chubby face. “What’s it worth to you?”
    â€œDon’t be a jerk, Eric. Tell me what he said.”
    â€œWe passed you in the hall, after Earth Sciences. Brendan said he wanted to jump you right there in the hall. He said you were the hottest, most awesome girl in school.”
    I shoved him again. “You idiot.”
    â€œOkay. Well, he didn’t exactly say that. He said he liked you. At least, I think it was you. There were a whole bunch of girls in the hall. Now that I think about it, it was probably someone else.”
    I shook my head. “You’re making it all up. You’re such a liar, Eric.”
    â€œI know. But I’m cute. Right?”
    I turned away from him, thinking about Brendan. Maybe he just invited me on an impulse because he saw me in Lefty’s. Or maybe he really did like me. No way I’d get a straight answer from Eric.
    A buzzer rang out, echoing off the tile walls of the gym. The teams stopped their practice shots and trotted to the benches at the sidelines. Two referees in black-and-white striped shirts moved to the center of the court.
    I heard musical chimes. It took me a few seconds to realize that my phone was ringing. I dug it out of my hoodie pocket and raised the screen to my face.
    Amy calling.
    â€œAmy? Hi. Where are you? The game is starting.”
    â€œForget the game,” Amy said. “I can’t come. I’ve been grounded. My stupid parents are acting stupid again.”
    â€œWhy? What happened?”
    The crowd suddenly jumped to their feet and roared. The Tigers came trotting to the center of the floor. I couldn’t hear Amy’s answer.
    â€œCan I come over?” I shouted, pressing the phone hard to my ear. “Is it okay if I come over?”
    â€œYou’ll miss the game.”
    â€œI don’t care about the game,” I said. “See you in a few minutes.”
    I jumped up and tried to squeeze past Eric. But he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his lap. “Rachel, you know you’re crazy about me. Why are you fighting it?”
    I patted his cheek. “Do you want to be my date for Brendan’s party?”
    He laughed. “Not really.”
    I pulled myself to my feet and scooted to the aisle. “See you tomorrow,” I called to Eric. But he was already talking to the girl next to him.
    The whistle blew and the game started. I stepped along the edge of the playing floor, pushing open the double doors, and walked into the hall. The roar faded behind me as the gym doors closed.
    I was thinking about Amy as I walked to the back of