Free Wrong Number 2 by R.L. Stine Page B

apologize.
    Jade’s eyes narrowed. “Was it also you who sent me that awful note? The one with the bleeding chain saw?”
    â€œYeah. I sent it,” Chuck replied, sighing.
    â€œI don’t believe it! I really don’t! Are you totally messed up?” Jade fumed. “Why did you think that would make me want to go to California with you?”
    â€œI figured if you thought Farberson was coming after you, you’d want to get as far away from Shadyside as possible.” Chuck told her. “I thought you’d jump at the opportunity to go to L.A. with me.”
    â€œDumb,” Jade snapped, frowning. “Really dumb. The way I feel right now, I wouldn’t go across the street with you!”
    â€œI know. I said I’m sorry,” Chuck repeated. “I don’t know what else to say.”
    â€œWell, thank goodness Farberson isn’t out,” Jade declared. “That’s the only bit of good news we’ve had today.”
    â€œWhoa. Wait a minute,” Deena broke in. “What about that green car? A green car followed us home from school a few days ago. We had to run into an alley to escape it.”
    â€œThat was me too,” Chuck said, groaning. “A friend from the city gave me a ride from the airport. I just wanted to see you, to tell you that I was back. But you ran off before I had the chance.”
    He reached out to Jade. “Please don’t be angry,” he begged. “Please accept my apology.”
    â€œI’ll think about it,” Jade replied coldly. Her eyes lit up. “And I’m also going to think of a way to pay you back!”
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    The next day Deena sat in study hall, staring down at her history notes, trying to force herself to focus. Why am I still so stressed out? she asked herself. Why can’t I feel normal and calm again?
    She still worried about Chuck. The doctors had kept him in the hospital for observation. They wanted to make sure there was no internal bleeding in his skull.
    When she and Jade had left the hospital the night before, Chuck was still talking about his crazy plan to go to Los Angeles. And both Jade and Chuck were stilltalking excitedly about the money that was supposed to be hidden in Farberson’s house.
    Why couldn’t they forget about it? Deena asked herself. Hadn’t they already had enough trouble?
    â€œDeena!” She glanced up, surprised to hear her name, and saw Steve Mason standing beside her. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you,” he whispered.
    Deena happily made room for his papers on the table. I’ve been so wrapped up in Jade and Chuck, I haven’t had a moment to think about Steve, Deena thought.
    â€œIs that your research on the Colonial period?” he asked.
    Deena nodded. “Yeah. It’s for my history term paper.”
    â€œReally? I’m working on the same subject in my history class.” For the next few moments they whispered about their history papers.
    Deena glanced up to see Mr. Raub approaching. “Uh-oh,” she said. “Here comes the study-hall cop.”
    â€œI’ve got to get back to my seat anyway,” Steve said quickly. “The main reason I wanted to talk to you wasn’t the paper. My cousin is giving a party on Friday, and I wondered if you’d like to go with me.”
    â€œSure!” Deena replied, smiling.
    â€œI’ll call you tonight,” Steve promised. He picked up his papers and hurried back to the other side of the study hall.
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    â€œGood bye, Steve. See you in school tomorrow.”
    Deena hung up the phone. She couldn’t believe it. For the last hour she and Steve had been talking about everything. Australian music, American music, Shadyside, and Sydney, Australia, his hometown. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so comfortable with a boy.
    Steve and I are going out. At last I have something to look forward