Read Online Don't Stay Up Late by R. L. Stine - Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t funny at all.
    He kept begging me to stay up late. “Maybe some other night. Not tonight,” I answered. That seemed to satisfy him—until ten minutes later, when he’d ask me again.
    He sat on my lap, and we watched Kung Fu Panda 2 on Netflix. The cartoon made him laugh. A couple of times he leapt to the floor and did some crazy kung fu moves.
    When the movie ended, I glanced at the time. Nearly eight o’clock. “Bedtime,” I told him.
    â€œI have a panda upstairs,” he said. “In my closet. Maybe I could bring him down. We could do our own panda movie.”
    â€œNot tonight,” I insisted.
    â€œA short one?”
    â€œNo. Not tonight. I see what you’re doing, Harry. You’re stalling. Come on. Let’s get you in your pajamas.”
    After that, he was no problem. We got him changed and tucked in. I said goodnight. He asked me to close his door, so I did.
    Downstairs, I washed the dinner dishes. Then I sat down on the living room couch to read my English assignment, a short story by an author I’d never heard of, Willa Cather. I’m not too interested in farm life, so the story was pretty boring.
    I was glad when my phone rang and it was Nate. “What’s up? How’s the kid?” he asked.
    â€œHe’s awesome,” I said. “Maybe the most adorable kid in the world.”
    â€œSweet. What did you give him for dinner? Frosted Flakes?”
    I laughed. “No way. I made him mac and cheese. Right out of the box. It’s his favorite. The kid is so easy, this job is a breeze.”
    â€œNice,” Nate said. “I’m just checking in. You know, see how it’s going.”
    â€œHey, I have to ask you something,” I said. “I had this weird phone call from Summer Lawson.”
    â€œHuh? Summer? You’re kidding.”
    â€œIt was totally awkward and strange, Nate. I think she was calling to warn me about you.”
    â€œAbout me?” He snickered. “Yeah, I’m real dangerous. I’m a real dangerous dude.”
    â€œWell, why did she call me?” I demanded.
    â€œHow should I know?” he snapped. “She’s crazy.”
    â€œNo. Really—”
    â€œShe’s crazy, Lisa,” he said. “Ask anyone. And she’s a total troublemaker.”
    I heard a crackling in my ear. “Hey, where are you?” I asked. “It doesn’t sound like you’re home.”
    He hesitated. “I’m … uh … out.”
    â€œWhere? Are you nearby?”
    â€œKind of,” he said.
    Why is he being so weird? Why won’t he tell me where he is?
    â€œDid you hear about Isaac?” he said. “He convinced his friends to come back to the band.”
    â€œAmazing,” I said. “How did he convince them?”
    â€œHe said he’d divide up the money they make at the club Saturday night evenly.”
    â€œThat’s all it took?”
    â€œI guess,” Nate said. “They’ll still suck but at least Isaac won’t be standing up there with that twelve-year-old drummer.”
    â€œIt’s a shame about the band,” I said. “Isaac is a good guitar player.” Isaac kissed me. Isaac kissed me and Nate saw. That moment played again in my mind.
    â€œMaybe we should go see him Saturday night,” I said.
    â€œMaybe,” Nate replied. Was he thinking about that kiss, too?
    We talked a little longer. Then I returned to the short story. Not much happened in the story. It seemed to be mostly description of the wheat fields and the dry, flat plains around the farm.
    After a while, my eyelids began to feel heavy. I think maybe I drifted off to sleep for a little while.
    Then a noise jolted me awake. The book fell from my lap and bounced on the carpet. I heard the noise again. A tapping. From upstairs?
    â€œHarry?” I called. “Is that you?”
    I jumped to my feet and turned to the stairway.