The Prom Queen Read Free Page B

psychopath?” Elana asked, obsessing about the killer.
    I said, “Maybe we could all disguise ourselves as guys.”
    Simone immediately took up my idea. She lowered her voice. “Hey, there aren’t any young high school girls here, Mr. Serial Killer,” she growled. “You must have the wrong house.”
    She rubbed her nose roughly like a guy would and coughed as if to spit. By then we were all laughing. Whenever I thought Simone was tooself-centered to bother with, she acted funny. And then I forgave her.
    â€œYou know what?” Dawn said. “I don’t think I’m going to sleep so hot tonight, either.”
    â€œYou’ll sleep better than I will,” Rachel told her. “I’m the one who lives on Fear Street—remember?”
    Just then two hands closed around her neck.
    â€œGotcha,” a male voice said.
    It was Gideon Miller, Rachel’s boyfriend.
    â€œNot funny!” Rachel cried, but she smiled up at him anyway.
    â€œWere you girls talking about me?” Gideon asked, grinning.
    â€œNo. Actually,” said Dawn, “we were talking about the killer.”
    â€œThat’s cheerful,” Gideon said dryly, rolling his eyes. “Hey—is Rachel going to win the three thousand dollars?” he asked and put his hands on her shoulders.
    â€œWhat do you care?” Rachel asked. “If I win, you don’t think I’d share it with you—do you? Even you aren’t that egotistical.”
    Gideon laughed. “Ooh—big word. Big word! Have you been studying your vocabulary list today?” He waved to the guys he was with, who were waiting for him just inside the glass doors. “No, I just thought if you won, maybe you’d take me to a movie or something.”
    â€œMaybe,” Rachel teased.
    â€œGotta go,” Gideon said. He gave Rachel’s shoulders a squeeze and headed off to join his friends.
    â€œWhat were we talking about?” Simone asked, pulling all the pepperoni off her slice and stuffing it into her mouth.
    â€œThe killer,” Rachel replied, her eyes following Gideon.
    â€œPlease—” Elana wiped her mouth primly with a napkin—“enough talking about this killer business. I mean it.”
    â€œAll right,” Dawn said. “We’ll talk about something else. I know—let’s talk about the prom and about how I’m going to be elected queen.”
    â€œI’ve got a better idea. What about the two-minute speeches we have to give to the entire school?” Elana suggested. “Have any of you thought about them?”
    Just then I had an idea. It was kind of a variation on Mr. Meade’s game. “Let’s do each other’s speeches,” I said. Everyone’s expression was blank. “It’ll be fun,” I said, explaining. “Right now.”
    â€œAll right,” Simone said. “I’ll do Dawn.”
    She tilted her head back and put her hair behind her ears the way Dawn wore hers. She stuck her jaw out as Dawn did when she was feeling competitive, which was just about always.
    It was amazing. With just a few simple gestures, Simone had transformed herself into Dawn! Everyone began to laugh, Dawn the loudest, clapping herhands as if she really found Simone amusing. I knew she hated it, though.
    â€œHi,” Simone began. “My name’s Dawn Rodgers. Yeah!” She pumped her fist in the air in victory.
    â€œRight on!” shouted some jocks at a nearby table.
    Dawn had a big grin on her face, but she was blushing. She had to be blushing pretty hard to see it through her tan.
    â€œAnyway,” continued Simone. “Let’s face it, I’m your next prom queen.”
    We all clapped. Simone acknowledged the applause by pumping her fist again. Laughing harder, Dawn said, “Okay, my turn, I’ll—” But Simone kept going.
    â€œNow, I know there are four other candidates,” Simone