Free The Cybil War by Betsy Byars Page B

see Tony reaching for Cybil Ackerman’s hand. He turned his eyes quickly to the screen and watched the images waver in the mist.
    â€œThe scary part’s coming up,” Harriet told him. “My sister already saw this. She says to keep your eyes on the door because that’s where the monster’s hiding. She says the door bursts open just when they reach the cages and the monster comes through. She says it’ll really scare you if you’re not expecting it.”
    â€œI’ll be expecting it,” Simon said.
    â€œOh, listen, don’t let me ruin the fun for you!” She nudged him.
    The chances of ruining something that was nonexistent seemed slight.
    â€œYou won’t,” he promised, shifting to the far side of his seat where he would, he hoped, be out of range.

His Own Worst Enemy
    H arriet walked Simon home. This, he felt, was the equivalent of being marched home by the principal. He spoke only two words. Two times Harriet asked him what he was thinking about, and two times he answered, “Nothing.”
    When they got to his house, Harriet said, “You know, I think Cybil’s feelings were hurt.”
    â€œWhat?” He had already started to turn into his driveway, but now he paused. This was the first interest he had shown in anything, so Harriet looked pleased.
    â€œYou know, because you wanted to be with me.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œOh, you know.” She gave Simon a playful poke, and he put his hand over the spot to protect it. “Cybil thought she was going to be with you at the movies, and then this morning Tony called me and said you wanted to be with me, that you would not come unless you could sit by me, and for me to tell Cybil when we—”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWell, Cybil had agreed to go to the movies with you because she doesn’t like Tony. It was all set—you and Cybil, me and Tony. I don’t like Tony either, but I wanted to see the movie. Only then Tony said you wanted to be with me and ...”
    She continued, but Simon no longer heard her. This was like something out of a soap opera—lies and plots and misunderstandings. Rage began to burn in his chest like a hot coal.
    â€œGood-bye,” he told Harriet.
    â€œWait. I’m not through.”
    â€œGood-bye.”
    He went into the house, walked back to the kitchen, and waited for his mother to ask what was wrong. His face had to be so flushed she would go straight for the thermometer. She glanced up and then back down at a cake she was icing.
    â€œHow does that look?” she asked, turning the plate around on the table.
    â€œFine,” he snapped.
    â€œI’m going to a supper tonight—it’s Parents Without Partners—and I want my cake to look, you know—edible.” She smiled.
    He waited, then said, “Is this Parents Without Partners like a date ?” He wanted to remind her that he had just come from such an event himself. For the first time in his life he actually wanted to talk.
    â€œNo, it’s just people getting together.”
    â€œOh.” He waited again, and then said in a rush, “Aren’t you going to ask how my date was?”
    â€œYes, how was it?”
    â€œTerrible, awful, horrible, miserable, sickening, and infuriating.”
    She made a face. “I’m glad you had such a good time.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œWhat went wrong?”
    â€œEverything. I was supposed to be with Cybil, and Tony tricked me into being with Harriet. Mom, she poked me all during the movie. I hate Tony!”
    â€œNow, don’t be too hard on him.”
    â€œMom! When I used to like Tony you were always putting him down and wanting me to get new friends, and now that I hate him, you’re defending him!”
    â€œNo, what worried me when you and Tony were friends was that he took advantage of you and you seemed to always get the short end of the stick and take the blame and you never