Wrong Number 2 Read Free Page A

turn back. Slipping through soft ice and mud, they ran down a narrow, twisting alleyway.
    By the time the concrete wall that surrounded Jade’s yard appeared, Deena was struggling to breathe. A sharp pain stabbed at her side.
    â€œCome on!” Jade gasped, pulling open the gate.
    Panting, Deena ducked inside to the safety of the yard.
    Jade slammed the gate. Then, sucking in deepbreaths, she poked her head over it and peered back the way they had come. “No one there,” she reported.
    â€œBut that car was definitely following us,” Jade insisted, still breathing hard.
    â€œMaybe the person just wanted directions,” Deena suggested, waiting for the pain in her side to fade.
    â€œMaybe,” said Jade. “But I don’t really believe that—and I don’t think you do either.”
    â€œYou don’t think it was the same person who made the phone calls, do you?” Deena asked.
    â€œI—I don’t know what to think,” her friend stammered. “But I don’t want to take any chances. Let’s go inside.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    The next day, Friday, her frightening run down the alley lingered in Deena’s mind as she made her way through the halls of Shadyside High.
    Steve Mason, where are you? she wondered to herself.
    She had decided to try to talk to him again. But she hadn’t seen him all day.
    Was he out sick?
    No. Turning a corner, Deena caught a glimpse of him going into the science lab. He wasn’t alone.
    He was walking with Bree Wade, one of the tall, dark-haired Wade twins. They were walking close together and sharing a laugh.
    Of course! Deena thought bitterly. Why did I ever think I could go after a boy the way Jade does?
    Forget about Steve, she told herself. And that’s just what she tried to do all during the volleyball game in gym. She was drying her fine, short blond hair after class, when she noticed Jade standing behind her in the mirror.
    â€œOh, hi, Jade.” Deena gave a last blast of hot air to her bangs and set the dryer down.
    â€œIf we’re going to get to the game to watch them practice, we have to hurry,” Jade said. “The bell rang ten minutes ago.”
    Right. The game. Deena slid the dryer into her backpack and slung the pack and her overnight bag over her shoulder. Her parents were going to a concert in Waynesbridge, so Deena was going to Jade’s to spend the night after the game.
    They dropped their gear at Jade’s, then took a bus to Mattewan High. They arrived in time to get fifth row seats at center court.
    Deena had never really liked basketball, but she loved going to games. She loved to see all her friends and to cheer the Shadyside players.
    â€œHi, Deena! Hi, Jade!” It was Lisa Blume, carrying a big bag of popcorn. “Great seats, guys!”
    â€œSee?” said Jade. “I told you it pays to come early.”
    â€œYeah, maybe,” said Deena. But she knew the real reason Jade liked to come early—to watch the guys warm up.
    Most of the rows were filling up. Jade made her way down to the floor to say hello to Teddy. Deena let her eyes wander around the crowded stands.
    Steve—are you here? she wondered.
    No sign of him.
    Maybe he doesn’t like American sports, she thought. Or maybe he’s sitting on the wrong side. After all, he hadn’t been in the States that long. Maybe he didn’t know about home and visiting teams.
    She glanced across the court to the home team seats. The bleachers were a sea of red and blue, Mattewan’s colors. She’d never find Steve if he was over there.
    Deena was about to give up—when someone caught her eye. A man wearing an orange hunting cap slouched in the shadows at the side of the bleachers.
    His cap was pulled down so far she couldn’t see his face. There was something strange about him, but something familiar too.
    â€œTeddy’s such a great guy,” Jade said, scooting back