Read Online Switched by Sienna Mercer - Free Book Online Page B

Melissa impatiently.
    “A
blood fountain,” the first Beast announced.
    “A what? ”
said Melissa.
    “You
know. A fountain of blood. ” All the Beasts were totally cracking up now.
    “As
if,” said Melissa, rolling her eyes. “Talk about perpetuating stereotypes.
Besides, fountains were last year’s party feature.”
    Sophia
whispered, “What losers!” in Olivia’s ear, and Olivia felt relieved that Ivy’s
friends didn’t want to take her idea that far.
    “All
right,” Melissa continued efficiently. “It looks like we’ve got our theme. The
next big question on the agenda is where should we hold the ball? Any ideas?
And, no”—she glared at the Beasts—“the graveyard is not an option!”
    Olivia
felt a nudge under the table, and looked over to find Sophia looking at her
intently.
    “Anyone?”
asked Melissa.
    Sophia
was now pursing her lips and glaring at Olivia, clearly trying to say something
with her eyes, but Olivia had no idea what it was.
    Sophia
sighed and turned to face the table. “How about Ivy’s house?” she suggested. “You
know, that mansion on top of Undertaker Hill? It has a massive ballroom on the
third floor.You can see all Franklin Grove from up there.”
    Olivia
kicked Sophia under the table. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea!” she put in
hurriedly. “I don’t think my parents ...I mean, parent ...I mean, dad . . .”
She shook her head wildly. Everybody was looking at her. “Well, he won’t like
it,” she finished lamely.
    “Who
are you kidding, Ivy?” said the girl with the shock of white in her hair. “Your
father loves this kind of thing. My parents still talk about the Dead of Winter
fund-raiser he planned a few years back.”
    The
girl with the studded collar nodded. “I’ll bet he’d even be willing to help out
with decorations,” she added. “After all, he is one of the top interior
designers.”
    “He
redid my aunt’s place last year,” put in the bald-headed boy. “It looks killer.”
    Well, Olivia thought, at
least that explains the inside of Ivy’s house. “But a ball for the whole
school is a lot of people,” she pointed out.
    “Don’t
be so dramatic, Ivy,” the girl with the studded collar said. “It’s not the whole
school. It’s just the kids in our community from middle and high school. A
hundred people, tops.”
    Olivia
suddenly understood why she hadn’t seen any posters at school: this was an
exclusive all-Goth affair. How intense! she thought excitedly. Maybe
that’s why they’re being so secretive.
    “Since
you came up with the theme and it’s your house, Ivy, I think it’s only fair
that you be head of decorations,” Melissa said.
    “I
still have to ask my dad,” Olivia muttered, while thinking, Head of
decorations! How cool is that?
    “All
in favor, say aye,” Melissa commanded.
    Everyone
said, “Aye,” even the Beasts.
    “Great!”
shouted Olivia. Wait, her sister wouldn’t be so excited. She rolled her eyes. “I
mean, great,” she said sarcastically.
    Olivia
was still walking on air when she and Sophia emerged from the FoodMart after
the meeting. Halfway across the parking lot, Sophia spun around to face her.
    “That
wasn’t like you,” she said in a quiet, firm voice.
    Olivia’s
heart sank. Sophia’s seen through the switch! she thought.
    “That
idea,” Sophia went on slowly. “The way you spoke up. Really, the fact that you
came at all.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Thank you so much, Ivy!” She
started talking really fast. “It is such a seriously big deal to be on the
planning committee for the All Hallows’ Ball at all, and my best friend”—she
grabbed Olivia’s hand proudly—“my best friend, came up with the theme,
is hosting it at her house, and is going to be head of decorations! And guess
who she is going to appoint head of photography? This is deadly!” Sophia
concluded, throwing her arms around Olivia in a huge hug.
    Olivia
couldn’t help smiling and leaping around