“Wait—I know!” Greta exclaimed. “Reenie, you’ve absolutely got to invite—”
Artie interrupted her. “My first choice is P.J.”
They all stared at him.
Artie grinned. “You’ve got to invite P.J.,” he insisted. “The party won’t be nearly as fun without him.”
“Oh, come on,” Reenie answered.
“Marc and I have a little surprise for him. Your party is the best place for it.” Artie grinned mischievously.
“No way!” Reenie protested. “No dumb tricks at my party!”
“What are you two planning?” Greta demanded. “I’m not going along with anything that might end up with P.J. getting hurt.”
“Your little P.J. won’t get hurt. I promise. We’re just going to play one of our tricks on him.”
I don’t want this, Reenie thought. “What kind of trick?” she demanded.
“Hey, this is going to be way cool. Trust me,” Artie said. “Sandi Burke is probably the hottest date in school. Do we all agree?”
“Hey—I thought I was,” Greta complained.
“You are. But you’re taken” Artie looped his arm around Greta and pulled her closer to him. “It turns out Sandi owes Marc big time. I don’t know all the details. But Marc got her out of some mess with her parents. Anyway, Marc asked her for a favor, and she said okay.”
“Get to the point,” Sean urged.
Artie smirked. “Sandi is going to ask P.J. to Reenie’s party.”
“She’s going to ask him?” Sean cried.
“No one would believe that,” Reenie protested.
“P.J. would,” Artie replied. “The guy’s so weird he’d probably believe anything.”
“So P.J. comes to the party with Sandi. Then what happens?” Sean asked.
“Sandi will give P.J. a long, hot kiss—a real sizzler! Right in front of everyone. Then she’s going to fall on the floor and pretend to die.”
“I don’t get it,” Reenie said.
“P.J. will think his kiss was too hot to handle!” Artie exclaimed, laughing.
“Classic!” Sean cried. “Classic! It’s awesome! Especially if we all pretend she’s really dead!”
“It’s dumb and mean,” Greta said. “It’s the dumbest thing I ever heard!”
“It’s like the tricks we pull on each other all the time,” Sean reasoned. “It might make P.J. feel like he’s fitting in.”
“It’s too dumb,” Greta insisted. “Why spoil the party with something so stupid?”
“Maybe we should stop our practical jokes,” Reenie added. She shuddered. “I almost drowned the last time, remember?”
Artie flushed. “That was stupid of me and Marc,” he murmured. “But what could happen to P.J. in your living room with all of us right there?”
I guess if Marc and Artie have to get even with P.J., a joke is the best way, Reenie thought. “It would be kind of funny to watch his expression when Sandi drops dead from his kiss,” she admitted.
“I can just picture it.” Artie started wringing his hands and shivering. “I-I g-guess I was too m-much m-man for her.” He cracked up. So did Sean.
Reenie and Greta held out for a second. Then they exploded into giggles.
“I can’t wait to see what he does!” Artie exclaimed.
“The kiss of death!” Sean shouted.
Artie laughed so hard, he toppled over onto the floor and lay there, clutching his side.
“Whatever you do, don’t let Liz find out,” Sean cautioned when they got control of themselves. “She would tip P.J. off for sure.”
“Okay,” Reenie agreed. “But afterward we have to remind them that we play these jokes on each other all the time. I don’t want Liz to think we’re picking on P.J.”
“Definitely,” Greta agreed.
“I can’t wait for the party!” Artie declared.
“The kiss of death!” Sean said in a deep, sinister voice.
The others repeated it after him. “The kiss of death!”
Chapter 15
THE PARTY
I know I didn’t invite this many people, Reenie thought, staring around at the crush of kids in her living room.
The doorbell rang again. When Reenie answered it, Ty and Liz stepped in, stamping snow off their shoes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen them apart.
“Merry Christmas!” Liz exclaimed.
“Merry Christmas! Give me your coats and I’ll stick them in my room.” Reenie held out her hands.
Ty helped Liz off with her coat and handed it to Reenie along with his jacket.
“Great dress,” Reenie told Liz. “And it almost matches Ty’s shirt. You haven’t started shopping at Two Cute, have you?” she teased.
“No way!” Ty laughed, embarrassed. “It was an accident. We don’t dress alike. Really.”
“There’s pizza in the kitchen,” Reenie said. “Sean is around someplace—talking chess strategy or something. Artie and Greta are here already, too. Have fun, guys.”
Reenie wove through the crowd and down the hall to her room. She tossed the coats onto her bed, then headed to the kitchen for more chips.
Sean reached out and grabbed her by the waist as she hurried by. “How do you think it’s going?” she asked. “Do you think everyone is having a good time?”
“Everyone but you,” Sean answered. “Let’s dance.”
“The chip bowls are almost empty,” Reenie protested. But she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Yeah, three people have fainted from hunger already,” Sean said, rolling his eyes.
There wasn’t enough room to do more than sway back and forth to the music. But that’s fine with me, Reenie thought. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against Sean’s sweater.
“Any sign of P.J. and Sandi?” she asked when the song ended.
“Haven’t seen either one of them,” Sean replied.
“Maybe Sandi changed her mind. Or P.J. wouldn’t go with her,” Reenie said.
She half hoped they wouldn’t show up. The party was going great. And the stupid joke could spoil everything if P.J. took it the wrong way.
“Any more chips, Reenie?” Ricky Shore called from across the room.
“Told you I had to get refills. I’ll be back in a second.” Reenie slipped away from Sean and headed to the kitchen.
“She’s grounded until she’s twenty. Her mother caught her smoking,” Reenie heard someone say as she passed by.
Who were they talking about, Reenie wondered. She glanced around the room. Still no sign of Sandi or P.J.
“It was great!” Megan Carman was exclaiming to two other girls. “The game was tied with two seconds to go,” she explained. “And Gary Brandt took a shot. The ball bounced on the rim, and the buzzer sounded. And the ball kept bouncing. And then it fell in. After time had expired. But it still counted!”
Reenie spotted Artie. She crossed over to him. “Are Sandi and P.J. coming?” she asked.
“Definitely,” a husky voice said in her ear.
Reenie whipped her head around. Marc grinned at her. He stood so close she could smell the beer on his breath. She could see exactly where the scar on his forehead began and ended.
Reenie backed up a few steps. She didn’t feel comfortable standing so close to Marc.
“How much longer before they get here?” Artie asked. His eyes looked watery.
Great, Reenie thought. They’ve both been drinking.
“Not long. I just called Sandi’s house. Her mom said they left already.”
Reenie edged away. She felt guilty that she hadn’t told Liz about the joke they had planned for P.J. The more she thought about it, the more it bothered her.
Reenie passed a couple making out in the hall. Then she noticed Liz standing by herself. Before she could change her mind, Reenie hurried over.
“Great party,” Liz said. “Ty’s getting us some Cokes from the kitchen.”
“Liz, there’s something I need to tell you.
P.J. will be here any minute, and—”
“He told me he wasn’t coming to the party!” Liz exclaimed.
“How long ago did he tell you that?”
“A few days ago. Why?”
“Because he’s coming with Sandi Burke.”
“P.J.?”
“She asked him to bring her,” Reenie explained.
“Sandi did?” Liz sounded amazed. “He never mentioned anything about it.”
“I don’t know why he didn’t tell you. But he’s coming with Sandi. And it’s a trick—one of our dumb jokes.” Reenie forced herself to meet Liz’s gaze.
Liz frowned. “What kind of a trick? What are you going to do?”
Reenie told her the whole plan.
Liz’s eyes widened. “Oh, no!” she cried. “Reenie, how could you do this? You know how shy he is. And I told you about his health problems.”
“It … it’s no different than the jokes we play on each other all the time.”
“It’s a lot more different than you know!” Liz cried.
“Liz, I’m sorry. It—”
“You did this behind my back!” Liz sounded furious. “How could you go along with this, Reenie? How could you be so cruel?”
“I …” Reenie didn’t know what to say.
“Maybe I can stop P.J. before he gets here,” she declared. She darted toward the door, then whirled around to face Reenie. “You have no idea what you’ve done, Reenie. No idea at all.”
She pulled open the door and rushed out into the night.
“Reenie?”
She turned to find Ty holding a Coke in each hand. “Was that Liz?” he asked.
Reenie nodded.
“Where did she go?” Ty looked puzzled—and a little hurt.
Before Reenie could answer, the sound of the party abruptly changed. The loud babble of voices became a low murmur.
Suddenly everyone was staring at the door.
P.J. and Sandi had arrived.
“What is she doing with him?” Reenie heard someone whisper.
“Yeah, I thought Sandi only dated within her own species!” someone joked.
Reenie saw Ty slipping out the door behind them. He’s going after Liz. Good. I hope he can convince her that we’re not trying to hurt P.J.
Sandi took off her coat and handed it to P.J. P.J. kept his on. He was wearing only a denim jacket.
He must be freezing without a heavy coat, Reenie thought. Then she turned her attention to Sandi.
Wow! In that dress Sandi should be in an MTV video—not at my party, Reenie thought. The short black dress showed off Sandi’s long legs. She wore a sparkly red vest. She had on heels and sheer black stockings.
“Whoa!” a guy near Reenie murmured.
P.J.’s eyes darted nervously around the room. He appeared tense.
This is a big mistake, Reenie thought. P.J. is never going to understand. He’s going to feel humiliated. Why did I agree to this?
“Hi, everybody!” Sandi exclaimed.
P.J. said nothing.
“Hey, P.J.,” Marc called. “What’s your secret? I’ve been asking Sandi out for months—but she always tells me to get lost.”
P.J. shrugged. A sly smile spread over his face. “I don’t know.”
“I asked him!” Sandi declared.
“No way!” Marc yelled. “She asked you?”
Sean joined Reenie. “Marc better cool it,” he whispered in her ear. “If he embarrasses P.J. too much, P.J. might leave. Then we’ll never get to the good part.”
Reenie experienced a new rush of doubts. “I’m not so sure this is a good idea,” she told Sean.
“It’s too late now. P.J. will be okay,” Sean assured her.
He’s right, Reenie decided. It’s going to happen, no matter what.
“Where can I put my coat?” Sandi asked.
“I’ll take it,” Reenie said.
She took the coat from P.J. and dumped it on her bed with the others. She rushed back to the living room and over to Sean. She wanted to be with him, in case …
In case what?
What was she afraid of?
Greta popped a CD into the player. Then she grabbed Artie and they started to dance. Before long the room was full of shifting, dancing bodies.
“Want to dance?” Sean asked. “I like this song.”
Reenie shook her head. “Later, okay? I’m too nervous.”
She couldn’t stop thinking about what Liz had said. She sounded so hurt and angry. You have no idea what you’ve done, Reenie. No idea at all.
But what have I done? Reenie asked herself.
“Check it out,” Sean whispered.
Sandi Burke towed P.J. into the middle of the dancing couples. She pulled him to her and began moving with the music. P.J. had no choice but to move, too.
He was stiff. Awkward. A few kids snickered. The other dancers gave them room. Everyone watched.
He’s terrified, Reenie realized.
Sandi pushed herself against him, whispered in his ear. P.J. blushed.
I never should have gone along with this, Reenie thought. Liz will never be my friend again.
Finally the song ended. “You were wonderful!” Sandi exclaimed loudly.
She pulled P.J.’s face to hers.
Kissed him.
A long, slow kiss.
P.J.’s hands fluttered at his sides.
Staring at Sandi, Reenie thought of a vampire. A vampire sucking the life out of its victim. She was kissing the helpless P.J. so intensely!
Reenie saw him try to back away. To pull free.
But Sandi held on, her mouth moving over his, her arms wrapped tightly around his slender shoulders.
“Whoooooooa!” someone cried.
Some kids laughed uncomfortably. Some whispered. Some cheered.
Suddenly Sandi stiffened.
She appeared to shove P.J. away.
Reenie saw the startled expression on P.J.’s face.
To everyone’s surprise, Sandi tossed her head back and uttered a long, frightening moan. Almost an animal howl.
She sank to her knees, her eyes wide, her mouth hanging open.
Kids gasped and cried out.
Sandi crumpled into a heap on the floor.
“What happened?”
“Somebody help her!”
“Do something!”
Alarmed cries rang out through the living room.
Artie and Marc rushed to Sandi. They dropped down beside her and looked at her curiously.
“Give her air! Give her air!” Marc demanded.
Artie shook Sandi’s shoulders. He shook her hard.
“Hey—!” Artie cried. “Hey! Hey!”
He shook Sandi. And waited. Shook her again.
Too hard, Reenie thought. Why is he doing that? Why is he shaking her so hard?
Artie shot Marc a terrified look.
Why does Artie look so frightened? Reenie thought. Why doesn’t he end the joke? Reveal it to everyone? It’s taking too long.
“Noooo.” A howl escaped Marc’s lips.
Artie shook Sandi by the shoulders. Then he started pumping her chest with both hands, pounding down frantically, desperately, as if giving artificial respiration.
“Artie—this is going too far!” Reenie finally choked out. “Give us a break!”
She saw P.J. backing away, his pale face twisted in horror.
“Nooooo!” Another mournful howl escaped Marc’s lips.
Sandi’s head bounced against the floor as Artie pounded her chest. She didn’t blink. Her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.
Kids were whispering softly. No one moved.
“Come on, Sandi! Come on! Come on! Come on!” Artie chanted.
Then with a cry he leaped to his feet. His eyes swept over the startled crowd.
“Hey! This was supposed to be a joke!” Artie cried in a shrill, trembling voice. “A joke. Just a joke. But—but—Sandi’s dead! She’s really dead!”
Chapter 16
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ANOTHER SURPRISE
P.J. stared down at Sandi, his eyes wide with confusion and horror. “But—I—I didn’t do anything to her!”
“She’s dead!” Artie shouted, glaring up at P.J. “You—you killed her.”
P.J.’s mouth moved as if he wanted to speak, but no words came out.
Poor P.J., Reenie thought. He has no idea this is all a joke. Should I tell him?
No, she decided. It’s too late. They will only tease him more if I try to protect him.
Reenie spotted Greta across the room. Their eyes met. Greta pressed her lips tightly together and shook her head.
“We have to call the police!” Marc insisted.
“I … I …” P.J. stammered.
“Quick! I mean it! Somebody call the police,” Marc commanded.
“Must have been one hot kiss!” one of the cheerleaders joked.
“Killer kiss,” Sean muttered.
Reenie could tell the other kids were trying not to laugh. They knew Sandi was okay. If P.J. glanced down, he would notice her chest rising and falling, too.
Come on, P.J., Reenie silently urged him. Don’t let them make a fool out of you. Look at Sandi. She’s not dead. She’s about to burst into giggles.
P.J. uttered a low moan from deep in his throat. His eyes rolled up in his head until only the whites showed. His body started to convulse.
Oh, no! Is it his heart? Reenie wondered. She rushed toward him.
Greta let out a scream—high and piercing.
“Shut up!” Artie snapped.
Shaking all over, P.J. crumpled to the floor at Reenie’s feet.
Sandi sat up, a confused expression on her face. “Hey! You guys went too far. You really scared him!”
Reenie leaned over P.J. and pressed her ear against his chest. All she could hear was her own pounding heart. It thudded painfully inside her.
“I’m going to bring him some water,” Greta called.
It’s my fault! All my fault! Reenie thought. I’m the only one who knew he had a heart murmur. I could have stopped this if I tried. How could I have been so dumb?
“You told me it would be funny!” Sandi cried. “But no one’s laughing!”
“Sean!” Reenie yelled. “I think P.J. is—I think P.J. is—”