Read Online The House Next Door by P. J. Night - Free Book Online Page A

around in shock. Alyssa’s heart was pounding so forcefully that she felt like it could drop out of her chest and right down into her stomach.
    Two boys about their age stood before them. Alyssa and Amanda had never seen them before. They seemed to have just . . . appeared.
    â€œYou look like you’ve seen a ghost,” the taller boy said to Alyssa with a smirk. He walked over, extending his hand for a shake.
    Alyssa quickly shook his hand.
    It was warm. Not ghostly at all.
    She could feel her face begin to regain its color. Despite herself, she blushed.
    â€œWe’re really sorry,” the boy said. “We didn’t mean to scare you! I’m John.”
    â€œAnd I’m his brother, Michael,” the other boy introduced himself.
    John was about an inch taller than Amanda. Amanda quickly looked him over from head to toe, hoping he didn’t catch her doing so. Her first thought was how neatly he was dressed. His blond hair was perfectly combed, not a strand out of place. His button-down shirt looked crisply ironed and was tucked into his dark jeans that he had rolled up to show his shiny, black penny loafers. Michael, on the other hand, had the same precisely coiffed hair, but it was dark. He was wearing a clean white T-shirt tucked into his dark jeans and similar shiny shoes. Alyssa couldn’t help but notice how different they looked from Paul and Steve, who were wearing their sloppy, faded jeans, flannel shirts, and dirty, old sneakers.
    Alyssa introduced herself and Amanda to John and Michael. She gave Paul a little push. He got her hint and introduced himself and Steve. Paul, the tallest of the boys, stood straight as a board, showing every inch of his height. He crossed his arms over his chest andbegan interrogating John and Michael.
    â€œYou guys from around here?” Paul asked.
    â€œNah, we’re just visiting,” Michael explained. “I’m glad we don’t live here. This town is so boring. No offense.”
    Paul winced. He had complained about how there was nothing to do in Glory plenty of times, but he’d never heard it put so bluntly by strangers.
    John stepped forward in an attempt to cover up for his brother.
    â€œWe thought we’d take the afternoon to explore,” he said. “I guess we got carried away.”
    â€œWho are you visiting?” Steve asked.
    â€œOur aunt,” Michael replied. “She lives about a mile from here. We’re here over the school break.”
    â€œWhat’s her name?” asked Paul. “I know just about everyone in this town.”
    â€œI don’t think you’d know our aunt,” John replied quickly. “She pretty much keeps to herself.”
    â€œHow come we’ve never seen you around before?” Paul asked.
    â€œThis is our first time in Glory,” John explained.
    Amanda was getting annoyed with Paul and Steve.“What’s with the twenty questions?” she asked. “I’m sorry about my friends. They’re used to being the only good-looking guys in town.”
    Michael smiled at her.
    As soon as she realized what she had blurted out, Amanda thought that she might actually melt into the floor. She looked around, trying to find an escape from the four sets of guys’ eyes that turned on her.
    â€œAmanda!” Alyssa said. “Check this out!”
    Alyssa grabbed her sister’s sleeve and walked toward a table, pointing to a small, dusty stained-glass lamp. She turned around to see Paul and Steve still giving John and Michael the third degree.
    â€œWhat was that?” Alyssa asked. She had pulled her sister so awkwardly that Amanda nearly stumbled over her own feet.
    â€œI don’t know!” Amanda replied. “It just came out.” Placing her hand on the grimy lamp, Amanda pretended to be admiring it. She dragged her finger along the glass shade, leaving a clean squiggly line in the dust.
    â€œThat’s gross,”