Free First Evil by R.L. Stine Page B

didn’t freeze. I just wasn’t there. I mean, I was and I wasn’t. I knew where I was, but I couldn’t move.”
    â€œUh, Chip . . .” Bobbi started, reaching again for the gearshift. They still hadn’t moved from the curb. “Maybe we’d better—”
    He startled her by turning in the seat, leaning toward her, and grabbing her shoulders with both of his hands. “Chip—” she began.
    â€œI’m kind of scared,” he said, his eyes wild and unfocused, his face closer and closer to hers. “You know? I’m really kind of scared.”
    And then he pulled her down to him and started to kiss her. His lips felt hard and dry against hers. His hands held on to her shoulders, pulled her to him.
    Bobbi started to pull away. But he seemed so needy, so frightened. Returning his kiss, she raised her hands to his wrists and removed them from her shoulders. Then she slid her hands around the back of his neck.
    To her surprise, he was trembling all over.
    The kiss ended as suddenly as it had begun. Chip, his expression a little embarrassed, leaned back against his seat. “Sorry. I—”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Bobbi replied, realizing her heart was pounding.
    â€œMaybe we’d better get me home,” Chip said, avoiding her eyes, staring out the passenger window, which was beginning to steam up. “I just feel so weird.”
    â€œOkay.” Bobbi put the gearshift into Drive and pulled away from the curb. As he directed her to his house on Canyon Road, she repeatedly glanced over at him. He seemed to flicker on and off in the light of the passing streetlights, so pale, so ghostly pale and worried looking.
    â€œBobbi, what happened to me tonight?” he whispered, staring out of the passenger window.
    Bobbi had no reply.

Chapter 14

Kimmy Has a Problem
    â€œB obbi—can I talk to you?”
    Kimmy came bounding across the gym before practice on Monday afternoon, her cheeks flushed, her eyes angry.
    â€œI just got here,” Bobbi said distractedly, searching the gym. Everyone seemed to be ready. Megan and Heather were already working on one of the new routines. Miss Green was standing behind her desk in her office, talking on the phone.
    â€œSorry I’m late,” Bobbi called to the others.
    â€œI really need to talk to you,” Kimmy insisted, hands on her waist. Her black crimped hair was more disheveled than usual. The sleeves of her sweater were rolled up, one above the elbow, the other below.
    Bobbi waved to Corky. She tossed her backpack against the wall. “What about, Kimmy?” she askedimpatiently. “I’ve had the worst day. First I forgot about a chemistry quiz. Then—”
    â€œAbout Chip,” Kimmy said through clenched teeth.
    Bobbi’s eyes widened in surprise. She could feel her face growing hot. “Chip? What about him?”
    Kimmy glared at her.
    â€œWell—what about him?”
    â€œYou made a little mistake, Bobbi,” Kimmy said, tapping her sneaker nervously on the gym floor, like a thumping rabbit foot. One hand played with the silver megaphone pendant she always wore around her neck.
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œChip is my boyfriend,” Kimmy said heatedly.
    Bobbi glanced past Kimmy and saw that the other girls had stopped their practicing and were standing around staring with unconcealed interest at this unpleasant confrontation.
    â€œCould we talk about this after practice?” Bobbi asked, gesturing to the audience they had attracted.
    â€œNo way,” Kimmy insisted, fingering the silver pendant. “Chip is my boyfriend. We’ve been going together for a long time. Ask anyone.” She gestured back to the other girls, who shifted uncomfortably and avoided Bobbi’s eyes.
    â€œKimmy, listen—” Bobbi said quietly, backing away.
    â€œYou made a little mistake, Bobbi. A little mistake,” Kimmy repeated, raising her voice,