Midnight Games Read Online Free Page A

everyone calls him Shark. He is a big, athletic-looking guy, kinda intense, nervous. He kept gazing around a lot. I think it was hard for him to stand still for very long.
    He is cute. I like his spiky hair. I wondered if maybe I could get the shark to bite. But then this streaky-blond girl named Nikki came over to us and wrapped her arm through Shark’s.
    Nikki seemed okay. She had a funny sense of humor and a hoarse, smoky voice that I liked.
    Nate was kinda cute too. Sort of a cuddly teddy bear type. I knew right away why I could be into him. He reminded me of Dustin, my old boyfriend. No joke. He reminded me of Dustin big-time. So in a way, I kinda felt I already knew Nate.
    He had a great laugh. I was teasing him about something and we were having a nice talk. And I guess I had my hand on his shoulder—you know, just being friendly—when this skinny, red-haired girl practically bumps me out of the way.
    Jamie hurried over and introduced us. She said the girl’s name was Ada Something. I didn’t catch the last name. I’d met Ada at the bar the other night, but we didn’t get to talk.
    Sometimes you get a flash about someone. I mean, I don’t really believe in first impressions. But tonight I could see that I probably wasn’t going to like this girl Ada.
    Just a hunch.
    I went to get a Coke from the cooler, and when I turned around, Ada was all over Nate. I mean, I’m not against Public Displays of Affection, but I think she was making a point here, staking out territory, if you know what I mean.
    I was just talking to the guy, after all.
    I guess maybe I was too intense, standing there staring at them. Because another girl came over and pulled me aside. She was tall and very pretty in a cold sort of way. Shehad perfect, creamy skin and long, billowy blond hair.
    She said her name was Whitney. And she held on to my arm and started talking about Ada and Nate, in a loud whisper. “Ada had a crush on Nate for years,” she told me. “But he always looked through her like Saran Wrap or something.”
    Saran Wrap? Excuse me?
    â€œAnyway, after Candy Shutt died, Nate was totally messed up,” Whitney continued. “I’m not sure why. I mean, he didn’t even like Candy. I guess it was the idea of someone we knew, someone in our class dying like that.
    â€œAnyway, Ada tried hard to get him to snap out of it. And they finally started going out.”
    â€œAnd now it’s a serious thing?” I said, watching the two of them lip-locked on the couch.
    Whitney nodded. Her hair fell over her face, and she brushed it away. “Yeah. Ada is really intense about Nate.” She raised her eyes to mine. “I just thought I should warn you. You know.”
    â€œLook, I was just talking to him,” I said. I don’t know why I snapped at her. She justannoyed me. “Are you really trying to tell me I can’t talk to some guy without permission? Tell your friend Ada to chill—okay?”
    Whitney let go of my arm and stepped back. She couldn’t hide her shock from her face. She turned bright red. “I . . . was only trying to help.”
    â€œSorry,” I said quickly. “Please. I’m kinda in a haze or something. I didn’t mean that. It’s been really tough. Losing my mom and . . . having to move to a new place senior year.”
    Whitney tugged at two long strands of her hair, studying me. I guess she accepted my apology, because she said, “How are you and Jamie related?”
    I raised my eyes and saw Jamie across the living room, dancing with little Danny. I had to sigh. Jamie was always so graceful and athletic, and now she had that bad limp. She used a cane around the house but quickly hid it away if anyone came over.
    â€œMy mom and Jamie’s mom were sisters,” I said.
    Whitney kept studying me. “So your dad is a Fear?”
    I nodded.
    â€œThat means Jamie isn’t a