Who Killed the Homecoming Queen? Read Free Page A

weird thing to say. And what a weird look in his eyes. So
what
if he has a crush on Tania? How come he’s suddenly acting so strange?
    â€œHey, maybe I’ll write in the video script that Tania dumps Sandy for me,” Keith announced.
    Jeremy snickered. “Why don’t you just
murder
Sandy? That’s the only way you’ll get Tania to notice you!”
    Keith’s grin grew wider, but Eva thought it looked fake. And his eyes! Why did they glitter like that?
    Another chill raced up Eva’s spine.
    Ignore it, she told herself. It doesn’t mean anything.
    But the feeling didn’t go away. She glanced sideways at Keith.
    What is he thinking?
    â€œCome on, everybody!” one of the cheerleaders shouted from below. “Let’s hear some
real
noise!”
    Eva dragged her eyes away from Keith and watched as the cheerleading squad began another routine. Everyone else clapped and cheered along, but Keith kept talking about the video he wanted to make.
    â€œLeslie already volunteered to be in it,” he shouted above the loud chanting. “She said she’d do the lead role, like it would be a big favor.”
    â€œWouldn’t it?” Jeremy asked.
    Keith shook his head. “Leslie is desperate to be an actress. She’s applying to every acting school in the country. If she’s in the video, then she’ll have something to show. I’d be doing
her
the favor.”
    â€œSounds like a good deal for both of you,” Jeremy commented. “Is Leslie any good?”
    â€œSure,” Keith replied with a shrug. “But I’d much rather have Tania—especially if she’s Homecoming Queen.”
    â€œWhat does that have to do with anything?” Eva asked. “I mean, what’s your video about?”
    Keith’s eyes glittered again. “It’s called
Who Killed the Homecoming Queen?”
    The cheerleaders finished their routine and ran off the floor, waving their pom-poms. Everyoneclapped, then began to whistle and stamp their feet as the football coach picked up a microphone and asked everyone to quiet down.
    Eva knew Coach Jackson was about to announce the name of the queen. But she couldn’t stop staring at Keith.
    Who Killed the Homecoming Queen?
Why did Keith get that flash of excitement in his eyes when he told her the title?
    Something’s wrong, I can feel it.
    But what?
    â€œOnly one more week until Homecoming!” Coach Jackson’s voice boomed through the loudspeakers. “And now, the name you’ve all been waiting for! This year’s Shadyside High School Homecoming Queen is …” the coach paused dramatically. “… Tania Darman!”
    The gym erupted in cheers and whistles and applause. Jeremy gave a whoop and leaped to his feet. Eva stood, too, clapping hard and craning her neck to get a glimpse of her friend.
    Tania sat in her chair, looking stunned. Her mouth fell open. She raised her hands to her face.
    The coach held up a sparkling rhinestone crown and handed it to Jason Thompson. “Tania, congratulations!” he boomed. “Now come on and let Jason put this crown on your head!”
    Tania rose to her feet. The other candidates, who would be princesses in the Homecoming Court, rushed to hug her. All except Leslie, Eva noticed. Leslie stood to the side, watching. Waving to thecrowd, Tania started across the platform to accept the crown.
    Halfway to the podium, she stopped. Her arms dropped limply to her sides.
    Then, as if a giant boot had come crashing down on top of her, she crumpled in a heap to the floor.

chapter 4
 
    T he cheers turned to gasps and screams.
    Then a stunned silence fell over the crowded gym.
    Eva stared down, frozen in horror.
    Tania didn’t move.
    I knew it, Eva thought. I knew something was wrong. I could feel it!
    â€œHurry, Eva!” Jeremy cried. He lurched in front of her and almost tripped. “We have to get down there!”
    Eva