Who Killed the Homecoming Queen? Read Free Page B

finally started to move into the aisle. Then she stopped suddenly, and grabbed hold of Jeremy’s arm. “Wait! She’s sitting up—look!”
    Eva kept hold of Jeremy’s arm as they both stared down at the platform.
    Tania had braced herself up on one elbow. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and glanced up at the coach. He had shooed Jason and the girls out of the way and was bending over Tania.
    Tania shook her head and said something. The coach held out his hand and helped her to her feet. Pale but smiling, Tania moved across the platform to the microphone.
    â€œI guess you can see that being named Queen really knocked me out!” she declared in a shaky voice. “Actually, some of you probably know I have low blood sugar. Sometimes a lot of excitement makes me faint. And believe me, being Homecoming Queen is definitely enough to do it!”
    Everyone clapped and cheered.
    Eva laughed with relief. She could feel Jeremy relax next to her. “I should have guessed what it was,” she told him. “I’ve known about Tania’s low blood sugar all my life, practically.”
    Down on the platform, Tania continued speaking. “As soon as I eat a candy bar or something that’s sweet, I’ll be fine,” she assured the crowd. “Not that being Queen isn’t sweet—it is. I’m really happy and grateful. Thanks a lot, everybody!”
    Jason set the crown on Tania’s head. Everyone clapped and cheered some more.
    â€œIs this great or what?” Jeremy asked. “My sister, the Homecoming Queen. Come on, let’s go down and congratulate her.”
    Grabbing Eva’s hand, Jeremy started pulling her down the bleachers. But as Eva reached back for her book bag, Jeremy’s hand slipped away.
    Eva watched him hurry down ahead of her. Too bad, she thought. Holding his hand felt good.
    Finally, Eva made it down to the bottom bleacher. As she jumped to the gym floor, she saw Jeremy race to the platform and give Tania a big hug.
    It’s great that they’re so close, Eva thought. Tania’s boyfriend ought to be up there with her, too.
    Where is Sandy?
    Eva glanced around, trying to spot Sandy Bishop. But she didn’t see him anywhere in the crowd.
    Weird, she thought.
    With a shrug, Eva started toward the platform, then found herself caught up in the middle of a huge group of kids hurrying toward the gym doors. They swept her along with them for a few seconds until she finally managed to pop free.
    As she spun away from them, she bumped into Leslie Gates.
    â€œOops, sorry,” Eva said, slinging her book bag over her shoulder.
    Leslie nodded, then quickly turned away.
    But Eva saw the gleam of tears in her eyes. “Hey, Leslie.” She reached out and touched her arm. “Are you crying?”
    â€œOf course not.” Leslie’s voice shook, and she kept her head turned away. “I have something in my eye.”
    Sure, Eva thought. As she watched Leslie trying to blink an imaginary piece of dirt out of her eye, Eva couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.
    Okay, so she dropped Tania because she’s jealous of her, Eva told herself. So she’s kind of a snob. But she is obviously hurt.
    â€œListen, Leslie,” Eva murmured. “Try not to feel so bad, okay? It’s not the end of the world.”
    â€œI know that. It’s just …” Leslie wiped her eyes and took a shaky breath. “It’s just that Tania gets everything she wants—and I get nothing. Even her low blood sugar is a great thing!”
    â€œHuh?” Eva cried. Leslie had to be kidding. “What’s so great about having low blood sugar?”
    â€œIt means she gets to eat six candy bars a day!” Leslie wailed. “And look how thin she is!”
    â€œI never thought about it that way,” Eva admitted. “It would be kind of cool to be able to eat all the candy you want and never gain a