Free Temptation by R.L. Stine Page A

know. Just goofing.”
    â€œSo what do you want to do tonight?” April asked, her eyesfollowing a cream-colored Jaguar convertible as it turned the corner onto Dune Lane.
    â€œNice car,” Matt said.
    â€œI think Jaguars are cute,” April said, smiling at him.
    â€œThe prices are real cute too,” he said, grinning back at her.
    â€œYou didn’t answer my question, Matt. Did the carnival open?”
    He shrugged.
    â€œWant to go check it out?” she asked, turning in the direction of the carnival grounds. Yellow beams of light streaked the sky in that direction, spotlights announcing that the carnival was open.
    â€œWell . . .” He hesitated. “There’s this Friday the 13th triple feature tonight.” He motioned across the street to the movie theater, where a line had already formed, mostly teenagers, waiting for the box office to open. “Ben and I really want to see it. How about you?”
    April groaned angrily. “You know I hate those films! Why do I want to see a bunch of pretty girls get sliced and diced? It’s such sexist garbage, Matt!”
    â€œYeah, I know,” he replied, his eyes on the growing line at the movie theater.
    I can’t believe this! April thought, feeling her anger grow. He’s spending all his time with Ben and the guys. He was so excited about this stupid triple feature, he didn’t even remember he was supposed to meet me!
    â€œYou sure you don’t want to come?” he asked, avoiding her eyes. He brushed his hair back nervously with one hand and glanced into the arcade, checking on his friends.
    â€œYes, I’m sure,” April said, not bothering to conceal her anger. “Don’t you ever get tired of that horror stuff?”
    â€œNo,” he replied quickly, grinning.
    April made a disgusted face. “Guess I’ll go then,” she said quietly.
    She expected him to protest, to ask her not to leave. She expected him to change his plans, to tell Ben and the other guys, that he was going to skip the movie.
    â€œWell, we’ll do something together tomorrow night,” he said instead. “You know. Go to the carnival or something.”
    She turned away from him. “Yeah. Okay,” she muttered and started to walk up the street.
    â€œCall you tomorrow!” he shouted after her.
    Why didn’t I tell him how angry I am? April asked herself, shoving her hands into the pockets of her shorts and taking long strides away from the arcade. Why didn’t I let him know that I’m upset with him? Why did I just say, “Yeah, okay,” and walk away?
    She realized that she was as angry at herself as she was at Matt.
    Maybe I should have just gone along to the movie with him, she thought.
    No. No way.
    She quickly erased that thought.
    I’m always the one who gives in, always the one who compromises. He thinks he can do whatever he wants.
    This vacation is turning out to be the pits, April thought, heranger soaring. All day long I take care of my bratty sisters at the beach. Then at night Matt would rather hang out with the guys than spend time with me.
    April began to cross Seabreeze Road by the Mini Market, walking rapidly. She was so distracted by her angry thoughts that she crashed right into someone crossing from the other direction.
    â€œOh!”
    Startled, she stumbled back, struggling to keep her balance.
    First, she saw a maroon pullover, then black denims.
    Then she saw a narrow, pale face, its expression as startled as hers.
    Then she recognized the face. “Gabri!”
    â€œOh, hi!” he cried, still somewhat shaken. “I didn’t see you.”
    â€œI didn’t see you, either,” she replied, embarrassed. “Are you okay?”
    â€œYes, I think so.” He smoothed back his black hair and flashed her a reassuring smile. “You’re in a hurry. Where are you going?”
    â€œNowhere,” she admitted.