The Nightworld Read Online Free PDF Page A

to be spreading over at least eleven states at this time, with no evidence of slowing. An advisory to stay indoors, away from windows, has been issued and is in force through five a.m. Sunday. As always, we’ll bring you any updates as they occur.”
    The screen blips back into a blank, and then the gold dancers reappear.
    Lara and I look at each other and shrug. Nobody else in the room seems too impressed, and the party starts back up as though nothing ever happened. We head for the balcony and gaze out at the skyline.
    “It does look bigger now, doesn’t it?”
    I nod. It looks really big, and weird—like it’s smooth and dense. Unlike any cloud I remember seeing before.
    “Anyway . . . enough about the freaky weather. So, um, my parents are in Europe for a month. Brian’s home from college for the summer, and they figured it was safe to leave.” Lara laughs. “He really is a great older brother, but he’s totally acting like a third parent since they left. Always asking where I’m going and when I’ll be back.” She leans against the balcony railing, looking out at the city.
    “Um.” Smooth. I start again. “Do you think Brian would let you go out with me one night? If I got you home at a decent hour?” I’m afraid to look over at her to check her reaction.
    “Sure.”
    I can hear that she’s smiling.
    “I mean, he’d probably put you through the third degree first, but then he’d let us. Where do you want to go?”
    “I was thinking pizza?” I hadn’t been thinking anything; asking her out was a spur-of-the-moment thing. But she’s being so friendly, she makes me think I might have a shot. I finally look over at her. She’s smiling, all right, and she’s turned toward me. I grin back and scoot a little closer.
    “Listen, Lara.” I’ve only had one and a half beers, but I feel like maybe they’ve loosened me up some. Or maybe it’s just the way she looks right now—like she has a happy secret that she knows no one will ever be able to guess. She’s looking at me like she’s waiting for something, and I open my mouth to say something and then shut it again. I know it’s not the time for talking anymore. I missed my chance on the roof, but I’m not going to chicken out this time. Trying not to think too much about what I’m doing, I lean in and kiss her.
    It feels different than I guess I expected. As soon as my lips touch hers, any nervousness I have is gone, replaced by this feeling of total certainty. She’s soft, and warm, and . . . everything. It feels totally natural, totally right. She falls into me, her hands on my shoulders. The world around us seems to disappear. Well—for a second at least. Then I hear Charlie’s voice.
    “Hey.” Lara and I break apart like we’re doing something wrong. Charlie’s standing in the doorway, biting his lip and running his hand through his hair. I would want to kill him if he didn’t look so worried. I try to keep my voice even. “What’s up, Charlie?”
    “Sorry. But I think we’d better get out of here. They just announced that all the buses are gonna stop running early tonight. Last one is in about twenty minutes.”
    “Isn’t there somebody who drove that we can hitch a ride home with later?”
    Charlie shakes his head. “They said they want people home. Something about the storm coming.”
    “Jeez. Is it really that bad?” It figures. Just when something was actually happening, the stupid weather has to go and ruin it. “I’ll be right in, okay?” I wait for Charlie to leave and then turn back to Lara.
    “Well, looks like I have to take off.” I touch her arm, wishing I could kiss her again.
    “We’re still on for pizza though, right?” She takes hold of my hand, studies it like there’s a map on it. She doesn’t look at me.
    “That is one pizza I would hate to miss.”
    She finally looks up, and she’s smiling. “I’ll call you tomorrow, to confirm what night.” And then she kisses me . It’s a kiss I