Twisted Read Online Free Page B

ankle?” Colleen tried not to look disappointed.
    â€œNo. Tanya’s fine. But I’ll tell her that you guys were concerned about her. That’s really nice.” Brett lifted the lid off the box and handed Amy an envelope. “Here, Amy. This is for you. Take a look when you’ve got a minute, and let me know what you think.”
    â€œSure, Brett. Thanks.” Amy waited until Brett was out of sight, and then she turned to Colleen. “I don’t know whether I’m relieved or disappointed.”
    â€œMe, neither. What did Brett give you?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Amy looked down at the envelope. “It feels like a card.”
    â€œOpen it and see.”
    Amy hesitated. “But what if it’s something personal?”
    â€œCome on, Amy. We’re best friends. Whatever it is, you’re going to tell me, anyway.”
    â€œTrue.” Amy nodded, and opened the envelope. And then she gasped as she drew out a Valentine’s Day card. “It’s a Valentine. And it says, ‘Be Mine’ on the front. I can’t believe it! I got a Valentine from Brett!”
    Colleen stared at the card for a moment, and then she shook her head. “I really hate to burst your bubble, Amy, but that card has a red heart with H. H. in the center for Hamilton High. Don’t you remember what we were talking about in the lunchroom, yesterday?”
    â€œOh.” Amy’s smile of pleasure faded quickly. “I get it. These are the cards that Brett and his dad printed up for us to sell?”
    â€œI think so, but I could be wrong. Why don’t you open it and see if he wrote anything inside.”
    Amy opened the card, and sighed as she saw the blank space inside. “You’re right, Colleen. This is just a sample. I should have known that Brett wouldn’t give me a Valentine.”
    â€œBut he did give you a Valentine.” Colleen made an effort to raise Amy’s spirits. “I don’t have one, and I bet no one else does, either. He singled you out, Amy. He wanted your approval and that’s a very good start.”
    Amy didn’t look convinced. “Maybe. But he’ll never take me to the dance.”
    â€œHow do you know? You haven’t asked him. Why don’t you beat Tanya to it?”
    Amy shook her head. “She’s probably already asked him.”
    â€œMaybe. But maybe not. I think you should try to get to him first. The worst he can say is no.”
    â€œYes, but . . .” Amy stopped and looked thoughtful. Colleen really did have a point. Tanya always left things to the last minute, and it was possible she hadn’t asked Brett to the dance yet.
    â€œWell?” Colleen began to grin. She knew Amy was wavering. “Are you going to do it?”
    â€œI’m not sure. I’ll think about it, okay?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to think about. If you want him to take you to the dance, you have to ask him. It’s that simple.”
    Amy took a deep breath for courage and nodded. “Okay. I’ll ask him. It’s like you said, Colleen. The worst he can do is say no.”
    Â 
    It turned out that Amy was in luck. She didn’t have to count the ballots alone. Mr. Dorman had decided that at least three class members should be present while the votes were tallied, and he’d excused Gail and Colleen from their student council duties so that they could help Amy. He’d also given them permission to use the faculty lounge, which was deserted during fifth period.
    â€œWhat a dump!” Colleen glanced around her in dismay. The long table in the center of the room was littered with coffee cups, and empty lunch trays. “There’s no place to spread out our ballots on the table. I guess we’ll have to clear these dishes and wipe it off.”
    â€œAnd that’s exactly why Mr. Dorman let us use it!” Amy started to laugh. “You girls have been taken, big-time.