The New Year's Party (7 page)

Reenie kept her eyes on Greta. Greta hadn't noticed Artie yet. She tenderly brushed a lock of hair off P.J.'s forehead and smiled at him.

Reenie turned back toward Artie. Sean appeared to be calming Artie down. Artie's hands relaxed at his sides. His face returned to its usual color. Then Sean slapped him on the shoulder, and Artie whirled around and stalked out the double doors of the cafeteria.

Sean knew exactly what to say to him, Reenie thought. But I'll bet Greta and Artie will have a huge
fight the next time they are together. I hope Tm not around to watch it.

“I thought Artie was going to go ballistic!” Sean exclaimed as he sat back down across from Reenie. “I told him he'd look like a jerk if he got into a fight in the lunchroom.

“Wow. He looked scary,” Reenie said. “I wouldn't want Artie mad at
me!”

The bell rang, and Sean chugged the rest of his soda. “Remember, I can't drive you home today,” he told her. “I have a chess club meeting.”

Not exactly walking weather, Reenie thought after her last class. Dark and wet out. It will probably snow before I make it home.

She wandered over to the student parking lot, hoping she could find someone to give her a ride.

Reenie gasped as she felt a cold, damp hand squeeze her neck. She spun around and found Liz grinning at her.

“Sorry, I couldn't resist,” Liz told her.

“Aren't you freezing?” Reenie demanded. Every button on Liz's coat was open. And she wasn't wearing a sweater—only a thin blouse.

“No,” Liz answered. “I love the cold.”

Reenie hated gray winter days. They seemed to wash the color out of everything.

Everything except Liz's hair, Reenie noticed. I'd kill for hair like that, she thought. All those coppery highlights.

“I heard what happened to you yesterday!” Liz exclaimed. “Wow. Scary.”

“Really scary,” Reenie declared. “How are you and P.J. doing at Shadyside?” she asked, changing the subject. She didn't want to think about the accident.

“Great,” Liz answered. “It's hard to believe I didn't know anyone but P.J. a month ago.”

Reenie found it hard to believe, too. Liz had become a good friend. Reenie felt as though she had known Liz for much longer than a month.

“Well, I guess P.J.'s not exactly doing so great,” Liz confessed. “He's so awkward and shy. It's hard for him to approach people.”

“I've noticed,” Reenie commented.

“It's not really P J.'s fault, you know,” Liz said.

Not sure what to say, Reenie didn't respond. They started across the parking lot, slipping between a Jeep and an old Chevy.

“P.J.'s not well,” Liz went on.

“What's wrong with him?”

“He's frail. He can't do physical things.”

“Maybe he should work out or something—build up his strength,” Reenie suggested.

“You don't understand. He's got a heart murmur. He can't work out or anything like that. He's excused from PE.”

“How … how serious is it?”

“He's okay as long as he doesn't do physical stuff.”

Reenie felt guilty for all the mean things she had been thinking about P.J. She decided to try to make him feel more welcome at Shadyside High.

“Greta and P.J. seem to have a lot to talk about,” Reenie observed.

“I wish he would ask her out. But I'm afraid he's too shy. He's never worked up the courage to ask any girl out.”

“He's never gone out with a girl—ever?” Reenie asked, surprised.

“Never. But don't tell anyone, okay? P.J. would be really bummed if it got around.”

“I won't,” Reenie promised. “I think it would be great for P.J. to go out with someone,” Reenie continued slowly. “But Greta's still going with Artie, so …”

Reenie heard footsteps behind her and turned around. She found Ty hurrying to catch up to them.

“Hey. Where you guys headed?” he called breathlessly.

“Nowhere special,” Liz replied.

Ty has a car, Reenie remembered. At last. A ride.

“Liz …” Ty hesitated.

“Uh-huh?”

“Could I ask you something?”

Oh, no, Reenie thought. Ty's finally decided to ask Liz out, and I'm standing here like her chaperon.

She checked her watch. “Listen, you guys, I've got to run. I'll catch you later, okay?”

“Okay,” Liz replied. “See you tomorrow.”

“Later,” Ty said.

Reenie moved deeper into the parking lot. It's emptying out fast, she thought. Isn't there anyone here I can catch a ride with?

A red car squealed to a stop in front of her. Marc Bentley's red car.

I'd rather freeze to death, Reenie told herself.

Artie rolled down the window. “Reenie—yo! Look what I'm driving. Need a ride?”

“No, thanks,” Reenie called. Even without Marc behind the wheel, she didn't want another ride in the red car. “I think I'm going to walk. I need the exercise.”

“It's going to storm,” Artie warned.

A gust of wind sent freezing air down the back of her coat collar. She shivered, the chill reminding her of last night. The frigid water of Fear Lake.

Knowing she was going to drown.

“Hop in,” Artie urged.

Reenie glanced around the parking lot. Artie's my only chance for a ride. “Okay,” Reenie answered reluctantly. She climbed in.

“Where's Greta this afternoon?” Reenie asked. Artie scowled. Dumb question, she thought. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

“She brought her own car today,” Artie replied through clenched teeth. He peeled out of the exit and roared away from the school.

I wish I'd known that, Reenie thought. I could have ridden home with her. Reenie realized she'd barely spoken to Greta the entire day—just those few minutes in the cafeteria.

Artie pushed down on the gas. Reenie made sure her seat belt was fastened properly. Artie's driving made her nervous.

Artie pulled to a stop in front of a red light. “Hey, Reenie…”

“What?”

“Last night… you know. I didn't mean for you to fall.”

Reenie sighed. “I know.”

“I wanted to go out on the ice with Sean. Help pull you up. But we thought the ice might break some more.”

“I know that, Artie.”

“Good. Watch this.” The light turned green. Artie floored the gas pedal. The tires squealed as the powerful car shot forward.

“Artie, don't!”

“It's okay, Reenie!” Artie yelled. “I drive a lot better than Marc!”

Artie sped down the road into another intersection. Horns blared. Tires squealed.

“Look out!” Reenie shrieked.

R
eenie's scream stuck in her throat.

She heard metal slam against metal. Shattering glass.

The car spun, slamming her into the door.

She heard someone screaming. Far away.

Felt the seat belt biting into her stomach, as she was thrown forward. Then she lurched back against the seat.

Reenie tasted blood in her mouth. Metallic and salty.

I bit my tongue, she realized. That's all. I just bit my tongue.

The car shuddered to a stop.

“You okay?” Artie groaned.

“Yeah—I think so.” Reenie peered out the window. She couldn't see much. Cracks covered the glass like a huge spiderweb.

She shoved open the door and leaned out. A sharp, sour taste hit the back of her throat. She swallowed hard.

A green van had smashed into the rear door. On
my side,
Reenie thought. Two feet from where I'm sitting.

Reenie slowly climbed out of the car. Her legs felt as though she had run up and down the gym bleachers a hundred times. They wouldn't stop trembling.

Artie hurried over to Reenie. “Oh, wow!” Artie groaned, staring at the caved-in door. “Marc is going to kill me.”

Where's the van driver? Reenie wondered.

Then she saw him. Still in the van. A dark shape slumped over the wheel.

“Hey, are you okay?” she called.

The driver didn't reply. Didn't move.

“Are you okay?” Reenie called again. Oh, no. I hope he's not hurt, Reenie thought. She hurried to the van and yanked open the door. Gently she pulled the driver back against the seat.

She sucked in her breath.

“Huh?” A startled cry escaped her lips as she saw his face.

P.J.! The van driver was P.J.

Reenie remembered what Liz told her—about P.J.'s having a heart murmur. She felt for his pulse. “Please be all right. Please!” she begged.

P.J.'s eyes fluttered open and he turned his head toward Reenie. “Are you hurt?” she cried.

But he didn't answer. He seemed totally bewildered. Barely conscious.

“Oh, no, I don't
believe
it!” Artie cried, striding up beside Reenie.

“Artie—he's hurt,” Reenie said.

“You creep!” he snarled at P.J. “Look what you did! You plowed right into me. Marc's going to kill me!”

P.J. didn't react.

He's still dazed, Reenie saw.

Artie slammed the side of the van with his fist. “You ran a stop sign!” he screamed. “Don't you know how to drive? What's wrong with you!”

Reenie slipped between Artie and P.J. “Calm down,” she urged. “Please.”

Artie grabbed her by the shoulders. He stared at her, his eyes cold. “Why is everyone always defending him?” he demanded. “What's so special about P.J.?” Artie's fingers dug into her skin. She could feel his hot breath on her face. “Huh, Reenie? Why does everyone love little P.J.?”

Reenie didn't answer. She concentrated on meeting Artie's gaze. She knew if Artie decided to go for P.J., she wouldn't be able to stop him.

Artie, leave P.J. alone, she thought. Leave him alone. It's not his fault you and Greta are always fighting.

A horn honked behind them—loud and long.

Artie let go of Reenie and backed away, shaking his head.

Whew! That was close, Reenie thought. Relief raced through her as she watched Artie climb back into the car.

Artie stuck his head out the window. “I'm not going to forget this, P.J.!” he yelled. Then he peeled away, his tires squealing.

Reenie turned to P.J. “Are you okay?” she asked softly. He nodded. His eyes seemed clearer. “Okay as I'll ever be,” he told her glumly.

“Marc went totally ballistic over what Artie did to his car,” Greta told the others the next day at lunch.

“I don't blame him,” Sean muttered.

“It wasn't Artie's fault,” Reenie reminded them. “P.J. ran the stop sign.”

Reenie noticed Liz staring down at her plate. Poor Liz, she thought. It must be tough having a brother like P.J. She must feel she has to protect him all the time.

Reenie glanced over at Liz. Ty was leaning close to her, whispering something that made Liz smile a little. Reenie smiled, too. At least Liz and Ty are getting together, she thought. Now maybe Liz won't worry about P.J.
all
the time.

“Ever since Artie started running around with Marc, he acts crazy,” Greta complained. “It's like Marc has turned him into another person.”

“Are they still friends?” Ty asked. “I mean, after Artie wrecked his car and all?”

“I'm not sure,” Greta answered.

“Maybe they won't run around together anymore,” Liz suggested.

“I doubt it would make any difference,” Greta replied. “Artie seems to have become permanently weird.” She took a bite of her carrot, then tossed it down. “Okay, who has chocolate?” she demanded.

Reenie handed her half a chocolate chip cookie.

Sean cleared his throat. “I have a major announcement.”

We could use a new topic of conversation, Reenie thought. Anything that doesn't involve P.J., Artie, or Marc.

“Reenie's parents are going to be away for a few days,” Sean announced. “I'm trying to talk her into throwing a Christmas party.”

“Hey, awesome!” Ty exclaimed.

“Yeah, good idea!” Greta agreed.

“I'll come,” Liz added.

“It's unanimous,” Sean declared. “Everybody thinks you should do it.”

“I'll think about it,” Reenie told them. “But—I'm not sure—”

“Come on, Reenie,” Greta urged. “You can't let a chance like this slip away.”

“No one else's parents are going to be out of town right before Christmas,” Sean added. “This is too good a chance to pass up.”

They all gazed at Reenie, waiting.

Reenie had suggested the idea to Sean as a “maybe” kind of thing. But she wanted to have the party as
much as everyone else did. She was up for anything that would help get things back to normal.

“Okay,” she replied, grinning. “Let's go for it.”

“Who are you going to invite?” Greta asked.

Before Reenie could answer, Sandi Burke pushed her way up to their table. “Get to the weight room,” she choked out. “Quick!”