Nightmare Hour Read Free Page B

see what goes on here.”
    No one paid any attention.
    Bonnie, who seemed lively and playful, was wrestling Greg for the Star Wars figure. Her friend Natasha, a solemn-faced girl with steel-gray eyes, moved to a chair to get away from the tug-of-war.
    â€œHey, guys?” Walter tried again.
    Evan kept his face in his book. Suddenly he started to giggle, his bony shoulders bouncing up and down. “Sorry. I just read a really funny part,” he explained.
    What could be so funny in a Star Trek book? Walter wondered.
    Maybe it was a mistake to join this club. He didn’t really know these kids. He couldn’t believe it when Bonnie came up to him in school and asked if he’d like to join and be the new president. She said she and the others thought he was a real leader. And that’s what their club needed. Someone who could help them get things done.
    Why did he agree to join? Was it because he was flattered that they wanted him? Or was it because it was hard for him to make new friends?
    It was for both those reasons, he thought. And for another reason too.
    Walter liked the idea of hanging out with other kids who were interested in life from outer space. Since he was little, he had been fascinated by the idea of life on other planets.
    Could aliens really exist? There were billions and billions of planets out there. The chances had to be pretty good.
    The light in the attic window faded as the afternoon sun began to sink. Long shadows stretched across the floor.
    Walter cleared his throat and tried again. “Can we get started? Since I’m new to the club, I just want to say thanks for naming me president. I’ll try to do a good job.”
    On the couch Greg leaned close to Bonnie, showing her an article in a UFO magazine. Evan didn’t even glance up from his book.
    â€œCome on, let’s start,” Natasha said, straightening the cluster of plastic earrings that dangled beneath her short, black hair. “I’m hungry.”
    â€œWe can’t eat yet,” Bonnie said. “First we have to read the minutes of the last meeting.”
    Natasha sighed. “Well, okay…go ahead. Let’s get it over with.”
    Walter looked from face to face. They don’t seem very enthusiastic, he thought. Aren’t they really interested in aliens?
    â€œI’ll read the minutes of the last meeting,” Bonnie told Walter. She dug into her backpack and pulled out a notebook. She flipped through it until she found the right page. Then she began:
    â€œAt our last meeting we discussed ways to raise funds so we could take a trip to see the Extraterrestrial Art Exhibit at the Boston Museum. Greg was supposed to talk to Mr. Hemming at school about holding an Alien Carnival or something.”
    â€œMr. Hemming was sick,” Greg said. “I’ll try him next week.”
    Bonnie rolled her eyes at Greg. Then she returned to her notes:
    â€œAlso at our last meeting, Natasha suggested we start an Alien Club newspaper and pass it out at school. The discussion was tabled till this meeting.”
    â€œThe discussion is tabled every meeting,” Natasha complained.
    â€œThat’s because it’s a bad idea,” Evan said, closing his book.
    â€œA newspaper sounds like fun. Why do you think it’s a bad idea?” Walter asked.
    â€œBecause everyone at school already thinks we’re geeks or mutants or something,” Evan replied. “If we start passing out a newspaper, they’ll all laugh at us and start calling us aliens too.”
    â€œHe’s right,” Greg said. “We don’t want to attract attention--do we? I thought this was a secret club.”
    Everyone started talking at once.
    Walter raised his hands and tried to get their attention. “What do you think about the newspaper, Bonnie?” he asked, shouting over the other voices.
    Bonnie tossed her copper-colored hair off a shoulder with a flick of her head.