I'll come, Alyssa said.
Okay, Trina agreed. If you're on your best behavior, I
might even let you sign my yearbook.
I don't give autographs, Case replied offhandedly.
Kendra, you coming?
Kendra hesitated. How could she sit through an entire movie beside a foul monster? But how could she abandon her friends when she was the only person who knew what they were getting into? Maybe, she conceded.
The crusty goblin took a final bite of lasagna. How about we meet outside the theater at seven? The one on
Kendall by the mini mall. Just trust to luck that something good will be playing. The other girls agreed as he stood up and walked away.
Kendra watched her friends talk animatedly about Case.
He had won Alyssa at first sight. Brittany was an easy sell.
And Trina was the sort of girl who liked to be catty but then8 got attracted if the guy stood up to her. Kendra supposed shewould have been impressed herself if she didn't know he was a revolting monster.
There was no way she could tell her friends the truth about Case. Any accusations would sound crazy. But he was almost certainly up to something shady.
There was only one person in her whole town whom
Kendra could tell about her situation. And he wasn't exactly her most reliable acquaintance.
Seth lined up against Randy Sawyer. Randy was quick, but short. Seth had started the school year a bit shorter than most of the boys in his grade, but was finishing the year taller than average. The best strategy against Randy would be to go long and make the most of his height advantage.
Spencer McCain hiked the football to himself and dropped back. Four boys went out, while four others covered.
One defender stayed at the line counting alligators. Seth jerked like he was going to cut across the field, then raced straight for the end zone. Spencer lofted a high spiral. The pass was a little short, but coming back for it, Seth out jumped
Randy and hauled it in. Randy immediately tagged
Seth with both hands, downing him just shy of Chad
Dupree's sweatshirt, which marked the front of the end zone.
Third and goal, Spencer declared, jogging down the field.
Seth! a voice exclaimed. Seth turned. It was Kendra.
His sister didn't usually talk to him at school. Roosevelt9 Middle School was sixth through eighth grades, so Seth wasat the bottom of the pecking order after having ruled his elementary school the previous year.
Just a second, Seth called to Kendra. The guys were lining up. Seth got into position. Spencer hiked the football to himself, then threw a short interception to Derek Totter.
Seth didn't even bother chasing Derek. He was the fastest kid in their grade. Derek dashed all the way to the opposite end zone.
Seth trotted over to Kendra. Bringing good luck as usual? he said.
That was a weak pass.
Spencer only gets to quarterback because he throws the best spirals. What's up?
I need you to come see something, Kendra said.
Seth folded his arms. This was all very uncommon. She wasn't just talking to him at school, she wanted him to go someplace with her?