Free The New Year's Party by R.L. Stine

lost.”
    P.J. shrugged. A sly smile spread over his face. “I don’t know.”
    â€œI asked him!” Sandi declared.
    â€œNo way!” Marc yelled. “She asked you?”
    Sean joined Reenie. “Marc better cool it,” he whispered in her ear. “If he embarrasses P.J. too much, P.J. might leave. Then we’ll never get to the good part.”
    Reenie experienced a new rush of doubts. “I’m not so sure this is a good idea,” she told Sean.
    â€œIt’s too late now. P.J. will be okay,” Sean assured her.
    He’s right, Reenie decided. It’s going to happen, no matter what.
    â€œWhere can I put my coat?” Sandi asked.
    â€œI’ll take it,” Reenie said.
    She took the coat from P.J. and dumped it on her bed with the others. She rushed back to the living room and over to Sean. She wanted to be with him, in case …
    In case what?
    What was she afraid of?
    Greta popped a CD into the player. Then she grabbed Artie and they started to dance. Before long the room was full of shifting, dancing bodies.
    â€œWant to dance?” Sean asked. “I like this song.”
    Reenie shook her head. “Later, okay? I’m too nervous.”
    She couldn’t stop thinking about what Liz had said. She sounded so hurt and angry.
You have no idea what you’ve done, Reenie. No idea at all.
    But what have I done? Reenie asked herself.
    â€œCheck it out,” Sean whispered.
    Sandi Burke towed P.J. into the middle of the dancing couples. She pulled him to her and began moving with the music. P.J. had no choice but to move, too.
    He was stiff. Awkward. A few kids snickered. The other dancers gave them room. Everyone watched.

    He’s terrified, Reenie realized.
    Sandi pushed herself against him, whispered in his ear. P.J. blushed.
    I never should have gone along with this, Reenie thought. Liz will never be my friend again.
    Finally the song ended. “You were wonderful!” Sandi exclaimed loudly.
    She pulled P.J.’s face to hers.
    Kissed him.
    A long, slow kiss.
    P.J.’s hands fluttered at his sides.
    Staring at Sandi, Reenie thought of a vampire. A vampire sucking the life out of its victim. She was kissing the helpless P.J. so intensely!
    Reenie saw him try to back away. To pull free.
    But Sandi held on, her mouth moving over his, her arms wrapped tightly around his slender shoulders.
    â€œWhoooooooa!” someone cried.
    Some kids laughed uncomfortably. Some whispered. Some cheered.
    Suddenly Sandi stiffened.
    She appeared to shove P.J. away.
    Reenie saw the startled expression on P.J.’s face.
    To everyone’s surprise, Sandi tossed her head back and uttered a long, frightening moan. Almost an animal howl.
    She sank to her knees, her eyes wide, her mouth hanging open.
    Kids gasped and cried out.
    Sandi crumpled into a heap on the floor.

    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œSomebody help her!”
    â€œDo something!”
    Alarmed cries rang out through the living room.
    Artie and Marc rushed to Sandi. They dropped down beside her and looked at her curiously.
    â€œGive her air! Give her air!” Marc demanded.
    Artie shook Sandi’s shoulders. He shook her hard.
    â€œHey—!” Artie cried. “Hey! Hey!”
    He shook Sandi. And waited. Shook her again.
    Too hard, Reenie thought. Why is he doing that? Why is he shaking her so hard?
    Artie shot Marc a terrified look.
    Why does Artie look so frightened? Reenie thought. Why doesn’t he end the joke? Reveal it to everyone? It’s taking too long.
    â€œNoooo.” A howl escaped Marc’s lips.
    Artie shook Sandi by the shoulders. Then he started pumping her chest with both hands, pounding down frantically, desperately, as if giving artificial respiration.
    â€œArtie—this is going too far!” Reenie finally choked out. “Give us a break!”
    She saw P.J. backing away, his pale face twisted in horror.
    â€œNooooo!” Another