Afraid Read Online Free Page B

trick to her advantage.
    Just then, there was a sharp rise in the noise level. It seemed like everyone in the cafeteria was talking at once. Donna turned toward the door to see what was happening, and she saw Tammy coming in with a group of her friends.
    â€œAttention everyone!” Tammy clapped her hands and the talking died down to a whisper. She walked to the front of the room and stood there, smiling. And then she reached into her large leather purse and pulled out the pair of red shoes.
    â€œI thought you’d all like to see these. They’re genuine cursed shoes and I bought them at the school carnival. Some of you probably saw the tent made out of carpets. It had a sign that said Magical Footwear.”
    Most of the students nodded. Everyone had noticed the unusual booth.
    â€œRemember the old woman who ran the booth? She was dressed all in black and she looked like a witch. She swore up and down that these were cursed shoes! I’ll be wearing them in the fall play, so I want all of you to come on opening night.”
    There was a round of applause. Tammy had certainly gotten their attention.
    â€œSo what’s the curse?” Somebody called out the question, but Donna couldn’t see who it was.
    â€œIt goes like this . . .” Tammy lowered her voice and it was so silent in the cafeteria, you could hear the sound of the motor on the soft drink machine. “Any girl who wears these red shoes will be blessed with incredible talent. But there’s a terrible price to pay. She’ll be cursed with bad luck! So come to the play to see if I’m blessed with incredible talent.”
    There were whistles from several tables, and then someone called out. “Right. And then we can watch you have bad luck!”
    Donna turned to see who’d spoken, but there was such a crowd in the cafeteria, she couldn’t tell. And then Tammy held up her hands for silence again.
    â€œThe new girl is writing a flyer for me.”
    Donna was so surprised her mouth almost fell open. She wasn’t writing a flyer for Tammy. She was writing an entry for the school newspaper contest! But Tammy went right on speaking.
    â€œIt’s going to be all about my cursed shoes, so watch for it on the table outside the Gazette office. I want you to help me put it up in every shop window in Jefferson City. Let’s make this the best fall play we’ve ever had!”
    Some of the students who were in the play started to cheer, and Donna sighed. Tammy really was an incredible ham. And then Tammy picked up her red shoes, stuffed them inside her purse, and headed straight for Donna’s table!
    â€œThe queen cometh.” Jerry glanced at Steve. “And she does not look pleased.”
    When Tammy arrived at Donna’s side, she smiled. To everyone else it might have looked like a friendly smile, but Donna saw the dangerous glitter in her eyes. “Donna—I do hope you’ll get started on that flyer right away. As you can see, I’ve just recruited everyone to help pass them out.”
    Donna nodded. What else could she do? “So you’re really going to wear the red shoes in the play?”
    â€œOf course. I said I would, didn’t I? And don’t start in about that silly curse! Just remember—if I don’t wear the shoes, you won’t be able to write your entry for the contest!”
    Donna’s sense of duty made her speak up. “My entry doesn’t matter, Tammy. Just be very careful.”
    â€œOh, sure.” Tammy waved Donna’s concern away. It was clear she wasn’t worried about the curse. And then she turned to Steve. “You’re not going to give me any grief about the shoes, are you?”
    There was a definite challenge in Tammy’s voice, but Steve just smiled. “No way, Tammy. I know how stubborn you can be.”
    â€œWell, maybe sometimes.” Tammy giggled. “But that’s only because I’m always right.