First Date Read Free

awkward hug. The gesture caught Chelsea by surprise. Her mother was not given tooutward displays of affection. Chelsea couldn’t remember the last time her mother had hugged her.
    â€œI-I’m sorry, Mom,” she blurted out, not exactly sure why she was apologizing.
    â€œSsshhh.” Mrs. Richards raised a finger to Chelsea’s lips. Then she took a step back. “It’s having to move here, dear,” she said, staring reassuringly into Chelsea’s eyes. “It’s having to start all over again in a new town, at a new high school. That’s what’s making you so—edgy.”
    Chelsea nodded, thinking about what her mother was saying.
    â€œAnd you’re unhappy because your dad is always at the restaurant and I’m always at the nursing home taking care of patients instead of being home with you. But we can’t help it, Chelsea. This is a great opportunity for us. Especially for your father. If he can make this restaurant work, he’ll be so happy. And we can get out of debt.”
    Mrs. Richards shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and began to pace back and forth across the small room. “Don’t get down on yourself. That’s all I ask,” she told Chelsea. “You can be down on your situation, on having to move. But don’t start doubting yourself.”
    Chelsea glanced in the mirror again. Easy for her to say, she thought unhappily. She’s tall and pretty. And I look like a cow.
    â€œOkay, Mom,” she said with false brightness. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
    Her mother’s face revealed her worry. “You’ve made one good friend here already, haven’t you?”
    Chelsea nodded. “Nina Darwin.”
    â€œWhy don’t you give her a call?” Mrs. Richards suggested. “She seems really nice. And really popular. I’m sure she’ll introduce you to a lot of other kids.”
    She glanced at her watch. “Oh, wow. I’m late. Got to run.” She gave Chelsea a quick, dry kiss on the forehead and, after gathering up her keys and wallet from the hallway table, hurried out the door.
    Chelsea sighed.
    What was
that
all about? she asked herself. Mom’s right. I’ve got to stop feeling sorry for myself.
    She carried her saxophone into her room and slid it into the closet. Then she pulled off her white sweatshirt, which suddenly felt hot and uncomfortable, and searched for something cooler to put on.
    I’ve got to get out of this house, she thought, yanking a lime green T-shirt out of her drawer. Maybe Nina can cheer me up.
    Nina Darwin lived a few blocks away, only a ten-minute walk from Chelsea’s house. Chelsea had met Nina in the Shadyside High marching band.
    They had met by accident.
    A real accident.
    Nina played flute, and the two of them had marched right into each other during the band’s first after-school practice. Chelsea’s saxophone had received a slight dent, and Nina’s knee was slightly scraped. Other than that, they were both uninjured.
    They had become good friends after that, although at practice Nina always insisted on marching on the other side of the field from Chelsea.
    Nina was short and perky looking, with sharp, small features and straight, white blond hair. Unlike Chelsea, she had a relaxed, easygoing personality and seemed to have a million friends.
    She looks about twelve, Chelsea sometimes thought. When we walk together, people probably think I’m her mother!
    â€œDon’t get down on yourself,” Chelsea said out loud, repeating her mother’s advice.
    Nina was a good friend. The only friend she’d made at Shadyside High so far.
    So don’t start finding fault with her, Chelsea warned herself.
    Chelsea felt herself cheering up a little as she walked to Nina’s house. It was a clear autumn day, the air tangy and dry. Leaves on the trees were just starting to turn. Some of the houses on Fear Street