Read Online The New Year's Party by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online Page B

exactly where the scar on his forehead began and ended.
    Reenie backed up a few steps. She didn’t feel comfortable standing so close to Marc.
    â€œHow much longer before they get here?” Artie asked. His eyes looked watery.
    Great, Reenie thought. They’ve both been drinking.

    â€œNot long. I just called Sandi’s house. Her mom said they left already.”
    Reenie edged away. She felt guilty that she hadn’t told Liz about the joke they had planned for P.J. The more she thought about it, the more it bothered her.
    Reenie passed a couple making out in the hall. Then she noticed Liz standing by herself. Before she could change her mind, Reenie hurried over.
    â€œGreat party,” Liz said. “Ty’s getting us some Cokes from the kitchen.”
    â€œLiz, there’s something I need to tell you. P.J. will be here any minute, and—”
    â€œHe told me he wasn’t coming to the party!” Liz exclaimed.
    â€œHow long ago did he tell you that?”
    â€œA few days ago. Why?”
    â€œBecause he’s coming with Sandi Burke.”
    â€œP.J.?”
    â€œShe asked him to bring her,” Reenie explained.
    â€œSandi did?” Liz sounded amazed. “He never mentioned anything about it.”
    â€œI don’t know why he didn’t tell you. But he’s coming with Sandi. And it’s a trick—one of our dumb jokes.” Reenie forced herself to meet Liz’s gaze.
    Liz frowned. “What kind of a trick? What are you going to do?”
    Reenie told her the whole plan.
    Liz’s eyes widened. “Oh, no!” she cried. “Reenie, how could you do this? You know how shy he is. And I told you about his health problems.”
    â€œIt … it’s no different than the jokes we play on each other all the time.”
    â€œIt’s a
lot
more different than you know!” Liz cried.
    â€œLiz, I’m sorry. It—”
    â€œYou did this behind my back!” Liz sounded furious. “How could you go along with this, Reenie? How could you be so cruel?”
    â€œI …” Reenie didn’t know what to say.
    â€œMaybe I can stop P.J. before he gets here,” she declared. She darted toward the door, then whirled around to face Reenie. “You have no idea what you’ve done, Reenie. No idea at all.”
    She pulled open the door and rushed out into the night.
    â€œReenie?”
    She turned to find Ty holding a Coke in each hand. “Was that Liz?” he asked.
    Reenie nodded.
    â€œWhere did she go?” Ty looked puzzled—and a little hurt.
    Before Reenie could answer, the sound of the party abruptly changed. The loud babble of voices became a low murmur.
    Suddenly everyone was staring at the door.
    P.J. and Sandi had arrived.
    â€œWhat is she doing with
him?”
Reenie heard someone whisper.
    â€œYeah, I thought Sandi only dated within her own species!” someone joked.
    Reenie saw Ty slipping out the door behind them.He’s going after Liz. Good. I hope he can convince her that we’re not trying to hurt P.J.
    Sandi took off her coat and handed it to P.J. P.J. kept his on. He was wearing only a denim jacket.
    He must be freezing without a heavy coat, Reenie thought. Then she turned her attention to Sandi.
    Wow! In that dress Sandi should be in an MTV video—not at
my
party, Reenie thought. The short black dress showed off Sandi’s long legs. She wore a sparkly red vest. She had on heels and sheer black stockings.
    â€œWhoa!” a guy near Reenie murmured.
    P.J.’s eyes darted nervously around the room. He appeared tense.
    This is a big mistake, Reenie thought. P.J. is never going to understand. He’s going to feel humiliated. Why did I agree to this?
    â€œHi, everybody!” Sandi exclaimed.
    P.J. said nothing.
    â€œHey, P.J.,” Marc called. “What’s your secret? I’ve been asking Sandi out for months—but she always tells me to get