Free Killer's Kiss by R.L. Stine

school, and gave him a list of his favorite dance CDs.
    Britty craned her neck, trying to see over the crowd. “Where’s Delia?” she asked.
    â€œHuh?” Vincent had a slice of pizza halfway tohis mouth. He stopped and turned back to Britty. “Delia?”
    He’d been so busy getting ready for the party, he hadn’t thought about Delia. He searched around the huge, crowded room. He didn’t see her.
    When she does show up, I hope she doesn’t ask me if I had my serious talk with Karina, he thought. I’ve been too busy getting this party together. I don’t need another scene with Delia—especially at my birthday party.
    â€œI thought Delia was coming early,” Britty shouted over the throbbing music. “It’s weird that she isn’t here.”
    â€œThere you are!” Karina called. She must have arrived right after Britty and Gabe, Vincent decided. She hurried over and kissed Vincent on the cheek.
    â€œLet’s dance—okay, Gabe?” Britty asked as she pushed her way past Vincent.
    Vincent turned his attention to Karina.
    â€œAwesome party!” Karina kissed him again. “Come on.” She tugged him to the dance floor, her blue eyes sparkling. “I love this song.”
    Vincent pulled Karina close. He rested his cheek on top of her head as they swayed to the music. A totally great party, he told himself again.
    When the song ended and a fast song started up, Karina and Vincent kept dancing. That’s all he felt like doing. Dancing all night.
    After a few more songs, someone tugged on hissleeve. He turned to see Britty staring at him. “What’s up?” he asked.
    â€œSomething is wrong, Vincent,” Britty said. “Something is very wrong. Delia isn’t here.”
    Vincent rolled his eyes. He didn’t want to discuss Delia in front of Karina. Not when things were going so well between them.
    He made up an excuse to Karina about having to get more ice, and dragged Britty off the dance floor.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” he asked her when they reached the other side of the room.
    â€œDelia. I’m talking about Delia,” she snapped. Britty glanced around. “She’s not here.”
    What am I supposed to do about it? Vincent thought. Across the room, he saw Stewart Andrews asking Karina to dance.
    â€œI—I’ve got to go,” Vincent murmured, his eyes on Karina.
    â€œBut think about it, Vincent,” Britty pleaded. “It’s your birthday party, and Delia’s not here. Isn’t that a little strange?”
    â€œI guess. But I don’t think you have to worry about it.” Over Britty’s shoulder, Vincent watched Karina and Stewart. The two of them appeared friendly. Way too friendly.
    Vincent started toward them. “You know Delia,” he called back to Britty. “She’s probably waiting to make some sort of grand entrance. You know. Real dramatic. It’s early. She’ll show up.”
    An hour passed. Then another.
    No sign of Delia, Vincent realized.
    He felt sort of happy about it. He knew that if Karina and Delia ended up at the party together, they would end up in a fight.
    Since Delia decided not to come, he didn’t have to worry about keeping them away from each other.
    Why didn’t Delia come to the party?
    Vincent figured that she wanted to get back at him for messing around with Sarah. And for kissing Karina.
    That didn’t bother him. In a few days Delia would call or drop by. She never stayed angry for too long. And she always came back to him.
    Around eleven o’clock, Vincent stopped by the snack table for another slice of pizza. He noticed Britty pacing near the front door. “Isn’t there a phone here?” she called to him.
    Vincent shook his head. “A phone in a deserted house?”
    He started to feel a little guilty. Maybe he should call Delia. Maybe he should go check on her.
    No, he