Epic Escape Read Free Page B

“When Chase dates, he doesn’t even change his Facebook status. It’s always single . You’re supposed to change your status.”
    “I never even said I liked Chase.” Megan dropped back down, then she couldn’t resist. “Does it really say single ?
    Zoe hit some buttons on her cell phone and waved it. “True.”
    “He’s never given a girl his senior ring or his letter jacket,” Veronica said, “He can’t commit.”
    “I read in one of Mom’s magazines that you should wear a low cut blouse and splash a drink across your boobs.” Zoe held up an imaginary cocktail, dumped the liquid over her chest, and raised her hands in surprise. “Oh. Did I spill that? Oh no, look everyone, my shirt’s gone see-through!” She dabbed at her imaginary spill.
    “No more magazines for you,” Veronica said, her eyes wide.
    Megan kept her mouth shut. She didn’t want Veronica to know she’d read the same article.
    Zoe said, “It doesn’t matter if she can handle him or not. You have to go after what you want or you’ll never get him. Watch.” She passed the cashier a twenty dollar bill. “One student for Cabin of Terror.”
    The ticket slid through the hole, and the cashier said, “Theater four. Enjoy your movie.”
    Veronica ordered one for the sports movie. The cashier said, “Sold out.”
    Veronica’s mouth tightened, no doubt, worrying about her grade. Coach would’ve enjoyed reading about a sports movie.
    Zoe jabbed her ticket at Veronica, and Veronica said, “One for Cabin of Terror .”
    Megan gave a regretful glance to the sign for the costume drama and ordered her ticket to Cabin of Terror .
    Zoe nodded and tapped on her keypad. “Uh oh.” Her eyes slithered between Veronica and the screen. “Kyle just changed his status to single .”
    Veronica snatched the phone and stood, reading the screen, face pale. She said nothing.
    Zoe took the phone back. “Whatever. Your boyfriend’s a Goob anyway.”
    People filtered into the theater around them but they didn’t move. Megan squeezed Veronica’s arm. “Maybe it’s a mistake.”
    Veronica took out her own cell phone, turned it on and checked her messages. She paled even more. “He broke up with me … in a text.” She said the last three words slowly. The cell phone slipped, hit the concrete, rolled into a drain, and disappeared from view.
    Oh man. Megan’s stomach tightened in sympathy and she squeezed Veronica’s arm again.
    “Veronica.” Their heads popped up at Coach’s voice. “Admin got the count wrong. Trevor’s edged up his grades. So, in the race for valedictorian, you’re now number two.” Coach took out his magazine. Smack. “Step up your game.”

Chapter 7

AUDITORIUM
     
    C hase pushed up on the armrest and peered down a few rows. He pointed. “There’s a better seat.”
    “There’s only one,” Joseph said.
    “What? You want me to sit here and hold your hand?”
    Joseph held his grease-coated fingers in the air, and Chase shoved his hand aside. “You smell like chicken.” He left his friends for the new spot. This whole theater was familiar. Mom used to bring him here once a week. She loved movies. He shook off the memory and continued down the aisle, passed the muttering usher. Chase stopped him, and said, “The stereo surround sound was off last week. Did you get that fixed?”
    The usher’s eye twitched and he patted the walkie-talkie on his belt and his cell phone. “If you wait for me in the lobby, we have some special seating to take care of that.”
    Chase nodded and strolled toward the exit. Behind him, the usher continued his patrol.
***
     
    Megan followed her friends up the popcorn-scented aisle. Ads flicked across the screen and cold air gusted through the vents. Veronica’s bobbed cut swayed with each step, but fell back into place in a sleek motion. Megan put a hand to her own hair. “Bathroom. I should fix my hair.”
    “It’s fine,” Veronica said.
    The humidity never affected her.
    “The