Halloween Party Read Free Page B

feeling they weren’t giving up, but Justine didn’t seem at all concerned.
    â€œHey, Justine—what about dates?” Murphy asked. “I can bring my girlfriend, can’t I?”
    â€œIt’s not a party for dates,” said Justine. “It’s not that kind of party at all.”
    â€œBut Monica and I have been going together for two years,” said Murphy.
    â€œThen I’m sure she won’t mind giving you a little space for just one night,” said Justine.
    Terry and Niki were turning to leave when the front door to the school swung open with a bang. Alex Beale came swaggering down the steps, his huge, muscular frame seeming to take up all the space a foot around him. Terry had to admit that Alex was good-looking, with his short blond hair, his confident smile, his laughing, dark eyes. As soon as he got close to Justine, he winked.
    â€œGot your invitation,” he said.
    â€œGood,” said Justine. “I hope I can count on you.”
    â€œOh, you can count on me,” said Alex. “One, two, three, four, five . . . ”
    What comes after five, Alex? Terry thought. The sight of Alex always made Terry feel uneasy and sarcastic these days.
    â€œI knew I could count on you, Alex,” Justine said, smiling again. She turned and gave a little wave to the kids who were still there. “See the rest of you later,” she said, and strolled out to the parking lot.
    Terry took Niki’s hand and tugged gently. But before they could get down the steps, Murphy Carter’s voice cut through the noise. “Hey, Terry,” he said. “ Wimp . Where you going so fast?”
    â€œWe’re going home,” said Terry. “What do you think?”
    â€œRight,” said Murphy. “But you never answered my question.” Quickly he explained to Alex about the invitations going either to wimps or jocks. “So I asked Terry if he thought he could go the distance and stay all night.”
    â€œGood question,” said Alex, laughing. “Can you?”
    â€œOh, wow. A haunted house,” said Terry. “I’m shaking in my shoes.”
    Alex used his best Count Dracula voice to say: “Even if it’s on Fear Street?”
    â€œIt’s just another street, as far as I’m concerned,” said Murphy. “All that garbage about evil things happening there is just superstition.”
    â€œI’m not so sure about that,” said Alex thoughtfully.
    â€œ Now who’s the wimp?” cracked Murphy, slightly confused. “Hey, Alex, whose side are you on?”
    â€œGive me a break, Murphy,” Alex said, rolling hisdark eyes. “Halloween on Fear Street? I’m ready.” He turned back to Terry, an odd smirk on his handsome face. “What about it, Terry? Think you and the wimps’ll be able to stay all night in a haunted house?”
    â€œI’ve got no problem with it,” said Terry. “But are you sure your mommy will let you stay out after dark?”
    Alex ignored Terry’s shot and called to Ricky Schorr, who was headed to the parking lot, carrying the paper bag with his dead biology project. “Hey, Schorr!” he shouted. “How about you? You going to join Terry’s team and show up at the party?”
    â€œSure I’ll show up,” said Ricky. “And I’m not a wimp.”
    Alex, David, and Murphy laughed. “I love it!” said Murphy. “He’s not a wimp!”
    â€œHe doesn’t have the guts to be a wimp!” cried David.
    The three of them started laughing all over again, slapping one another high-fives.
    â€œSo who else is on your ‘team,’ Terry?” asked Alex. “Les Whittle, maybe—and Trisha? Think they’ll have the guts to go?”
    â€œAsk them yourself,” said Terry. He took a deep breath.
    Niki gave him a worried look, then turned to the jocks. “Come on, guys,” she