Read Online A Perfect Storm by Phoebe Rivers and Erin McGuire - Free Book Online Page B

intent on talking to me. I realized with dread that he was striding through the crowded cafeteria, right in my direction.
    I stood up quickly. “Got to go print something out in the library,” I mumbled, collecting my tray and my backpack and disentangling myself from the table. I noted the perplexed looks on the faces of some of my friends at the table, but better to let them think I was being weird and impulsive than having them see me in a close encounter with a loudmouthed spirit.
    I made it to the side of the cafeteria, with a clear passage to the doorway, but he stepped in front of me, his barrel chest heaving, and stuck a chubby finger in my face.
    â€œI got a job for you, Collins,” he said.
    â€œNot now,” I said out of the side of my mouth, hoping no one was looking my way. I tried to move past him, but he blocked my way again.
    â€œI need to give you something to bring to someone,” he said.
    I knew what I had to do. I had to be firm with him.
    â€œListen,” I said, still out of the corner of my mouth, and trying to edge my way out with my back to the wall. “You can’t approach me like this in front of—”
    â€œWho exactly are you talking to?” said a voice over my shoulder.
    I froze. Turned. It was Jody.
    â€œOh. I—ah-ha-ha!” I stammered. My mind had gone blank. But at least the spirit had vanished.
    â€œWe’re supposed to memorize a passage from Julius Caesar ,” I heard Lily say. She was there, just behind Jody. “You were just practicing your lines, right, Sar?”
    I shot her a grateful look. “Yep. I was just memorizing a passage from Julius Caesar . Guess I shouldn’t talk out loud like that, huh,” I said.
    â€œYeah, maybe not,” Jody replied. But then she smiled. “Hey, Sara,” she said in a really friendly voice. “It’s Sara, right?”
    I nodded.
    â€œListen, I was just telling the rest of the table something when you jumped up and left. We’re organizing a fund-raiser. For the storm victims. It’s going to be a joint event between Stellamar Middle and HarborIsle Middle. An auction. The PTA asked my parents to help with it, since my dad knows a bunch of celebrities and stuff. They want him to auction off a visit to his TV studio, maybe even a bit part in one of his upcoming episodes.” She said it really casually, like it was no big deal. “Anyway, do you want to come over to my house with a bunch of kids tomorrow night to help plan it?”
    â€œOh! Sure! That sounds great,” I said.
    Lily winked at me. “Lots of kids are going to be there, probably even some kids who didn’t get transferred to Stellamar. . . .”
    Jody frowned when Lily said that. But only for a moment.
    â€œWhen is the auction going to be?” I asked.
    The bell rang, and suddenly there was noise and confusion as kids started moving toward the door for their next class.
    â€œGotta go! See you in English!” Lily said, and then she hustled off.
    â€œTo answer your question,” said Jody, “it’s going to be a week from tomorrow.”
    I stopped. “Oh no. That’s the night I have to gowith my dad to a wedding. I promised him I’d be his date.”
    â€œOh, that’s too bad,” said Jody quickly. “Well, then I guess there’d be no reason for you to come tomorrow night for the planning, if you can’t be there for the auction. You’d just feel left out. Don’t even worry about coming. Sorry!” she said, drawing out the word dramatically. “See you later!”
    And she turned on her heel and hurried away, leaving me standing there with my mouth open.
    Had she just gone from really friendly to really weird in about two seconds flat? And uninvited me to a really fun get-together tomorrow night? It seemed that she had.

Chapter 10
    I spent a glum Thursday evening at home that night, doing homework, thinking