Free Spiral (Spiral Series) by Maddy Edwards Page B

miserable if he wanted to. I just hoped Haley didn’t realize that Andrew was way too nice to ever do that.
     
    “So, where to now?” Jill asked as we stood around in the parking lot, not sure what to do next.
    “I’m tired,” I said. I had been getting sleepier and sleepier. The whole not being able to sleep at night because of nightmares thing was really ruining my senior break. “I think I’d like to go home.”
    “It’s barely ten o’clock,” Maxie groaned. “Let’s go do something fun.”
    “There’s a party over at Casey’s,” said Andrew.
    Casey was a guy on the baseball team, part of a totally different crowd from the one Jill, Maxie, and I usually hung out with, which most of the time was just us.
    “So?” Jill asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
    “Want to go?” Andrew asked.
    “DEFINITELY,” cried Maxie, who was always up for a social event where cute guys were present. “Nat?” she asked.
    “I don’t think so,” I said. “Long day.” And my nightmares are keeping me from sleeping, I added silently to myself.
    “Alright, well then it looks like Jill has to go with me,” said Maxie.
    Jill made a sour face, but to Nat’s surprise she didn’t argue with Maxie. Instead she glared at her and said, “I’ll go, but you owe me.”
    “Yeah, hanging out with nice people is such a trial,” Andrew joked.
    “You have no idea,” Jill retorted. “It saps all my energy.”
    “Which you need for what? Graphic novels and slasher films?” Andrew asked.
    “I’m so glad we’re all getting along so well,” said Maxie, pushing her pink streaked hair out of her face. “It’s so mature.”
    “I never claimed to be mature,” said Jill. “Just ask my aunt. She’ll tell you all about it.”
    “If you don’t want to go,” said Andrew to Jill diplomatically, “we could all just head home. I have practice in the morning anyway. Besides, if we don’t drive Natalie, she’s liable to walk.”
    “Okay, let’s all just call it a night,” Maxie sighed gustily. “I don’t want Natalie doing something stupid like walking home alone. What if there’s an axe murderer around? What if you get chopped into a million pieces?” she said, turning to me and winking.
    “Well, I won’t say it was because you didn’t warn me,” I said. “But I doubt that’s going to happen. Nothing very interesting ever happens around here.”
    “Ain’t that the truth,” said Jill.
    “Anyway,” I said. “Am I walking or are we all going home?”
    “I really don’t like the idea of you walking,” said Andrew, ever the gentleman. “Let’s all go.”
    “Okay, look,” said Jill. “If you’re going to hang out with us, you’re going to have to understand that we women are going to do as we please and you better get on the bus or get out of the way.”
    “Charming,” said Maxie. “You’re just so charming. No wonder you’re single.”
    “I’m wearing combat boots,” said Jill. “First of all, I’m not trying to get a date. And secondly don’t call me charming. It will ruin my image.”
    “Pretty sure your image is set in stone,” said Maxie. “Just like your personality.”
    The four of us piled back into Andrew’s truck to head home. I didn’t even feel guilty about Casey’s party . Andrew had baseball practice , Jill didn’t want to go at all, and I was tired . Maxie was the only one who was disappointed , because t he more often she got to h a ng out with hot guys the happier she was. But she’d have other chances.
    “So, any bets on when we ’ ll see that Pierce guy again?” Maxie asked as Andrew pulled out onto the street.
    “Why? Do you want to date him? I think he’s taken,” Jill pointed out.
    “Hey, a guy that looks like that? If Nat doesn’t want him I am SO there,” said Maxie, grinning.
    I just shook my head. “I don’t even know who he is and I ’ m pretty sure that if he knew anything about me at all he would change his mind,” I said with a touch of