Free Fortune by Erica Spindler Page B

turned another one into a frog.”
    â€œLaugh now. You’ll see.”
    â€œYou’re terrifying me, really. See you around.”
    He turned and started for the supply tent. She hurried after him, and he muttered an oath. What was with this kid? What did he have to do to get rid of her?
    â€œIf I ask her to put a spell on you, she will.”
    He made a sound of annoyance, stopped and swung to face her. “So, you’re saying your mom’s a witch?”
    â€œNo. She’s a fortune-teller.”
    â€œA Gypsy fortune-teller?”
    â€œNo.” The girl propped her hands on her hips and sucked in a quick, frustrated-sounding breath. “She’s just a fortune-teller.”
    Amused, he mimicked her, making an exaggerated sound of frustration and placing his hands on his hips. “Witches put curses on people. Fortune-tellers tell the future. Gypsies do both, at least in the movies. Of course, I don’t believe in that stuff. In fact, I think it’s all a bunch of crap, so why don’t you get lost?”
    She ignored him. “Where’d you get the black eye?”
    â€œNone of your business.” He started off again.
    â€œI bet it was one of the other guys.” She screwed up her face as if deep in thought. “My guess is Max or Len.” She cut him a glance. “But, probably Len. He’s a real badass.”
    Chance supposed he would call Len that. He was the blade-happy bozo with dibs on his throat.
    â€œThey’re all pissed at you,” she continued, “because you took Rick and Benny’s place.”
    â€œYeah, well, that’s tough shit. They’ll get over it.”
    She smiled. “Good thing they don’t know what I know.” He glared at her, and she smiled again. “I didn’t mean anything by that. I told you I wasn’t going to tell, and I’m not.”
    This was just getting better and better. He stepped up his pace in an effort to shake her.
    â€œI’ll tell you what to do about those creeps,” she said, hurrying to keep up. “Just give ’em a good pop.” She nodded for emphasis. “They’ll respect that.”
    He scowled, annoyed that she, a goofy kid, was saying the same thing he had thought only moments ago. “What do you know? You’re just a kid. And a girl, at that.”
    â€œSo what? Girls can know anything boys can.”
    â€œRight,” he drawled.
    â€œThey can!” She lifted her chin, practically quivering with twelve-year-old indignation. “You know, I’ve been around. Besides, you don’t see any black eyes on me, do you?”
    He stopped so suddenly she collided with his back. Exasperated, he turned to face her. “Is there some reason you’ve decided to single me out for torture?”
    She laughed. “I like you, Chance. You’re funny.”
    Funny to a twelve-year-old girl. Wow. Another great life accomplishment. “I’m out of here, kid.” He started walking away.
    â€œI’ll go with you.”
    â€œI’d rather you didn’t.”
    She ignored him. “Really, Chance, you can’t let those guys push you around.” She tucked a hank of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. “I meet a lot of smart-asses in school. A lot of tough-guy types.”
    â€œI’ll just bet.”
    â€œI’m the new kid a lot, and you know what that means.”
    He stopped and faced her again. “You seem intent on telling me this.”
    â€œI am.”
    â€œSo do it, little-miss-know-it-all. Then leave me alone.”
    â€œYou don’t have to be so grouchy.” She cocked up her chin. “You have to be smarter and tougher. If they give you any crap, just give it back double. That’s what I do.”
    â€œAnd I’m sure you’re very popular.”
    â€œWith the principal.” She shrugged. “It’s cool.”
    â€œI’ll think about your