Free Switched by Sienna Mercer

with her, at least a little bit.
    “Enough!”
Sophia cried, throwing her scarf over her shoulder. “I must go home and
study algebra. But I will talk to you later.” She gave a little wave and took
off in the dimming autumn light.
    Olivia
knew she should hurry home, too. She’d promised to be home by seven; her father
was grilling veggies on the new barbecue for dinner. But she decided it was
okay if she paused for just a second. After all, she had made it through the
meeting. Not only that, but she had really contributed. Her parents
would be proud of her if they knew. She felt like she was really going to love
Franklin Grove. That is, as long as Ivy didn’t kill her.
    As she
stopped off in a restaurant’s bathroom to change clothes, Olivia prayed that
her sister had had a good date with Brendan. Actually, she hoped Ivy was more
overjoyed than she’d ever been in her entire life, because, if not, she
probably wasn’t going to handle Olivia’s news very well. After all, not only
was Ivy—the official Antiperky—going to have to plan the All Hallows’
Ball, she had to convince her father to host it, too!

Chapter 7
    Ivy
kicked off her boots, fell back on her bed, and grabbed one of her black cat
pillows to her chest.
    As her
head swam, her heart went under.
    What
did he mean when he said he was scared to death? she wondered.
    I
can’t believe I spilled my drink! But at least I didn’t have to answer his
question about whether I have a sister.
    Was
it an accident when his hand brushed against mine on the escalator?
    He
said we’d keep a running tally in air hockey. Does that mean he’s going to ask
me out again?
    I
never want to forget the look on his face when he said good-bye.
    The
phone rang, making Ivy jump. It rang again.
    Maybe
it’s Brendan! She
rolled over and picked it up. “Hello?”
    “Greetings,
Madam Head of Decorations,” Sophia declared dramatically.
    Ivy
had completely forgotten about Olivia and the meeting. She sat up with a jolt. “Hi,
Soph. What’s up?”
    “The
deadliest All Hallows’ Ball in history, that’s what’s up,” Sophie replied
delightedly.
    The
All Hallows’ Ball? Ivy
wondered.
    “I’m
supposed to be studying,” Sophia barreled on, “but I just couldn’t stop
thinking of ideas. Like, what if you could have your picture taken with a
cutout of that short old guy who was Grandpa on The Munsters ?”
    “ The
Munsters ?” quavered Ivy.
    “You
know, that old TV show.”
    “Uh-huh,”
Ivy admitted. She was starting to feel seriously ill.
    “Or I
think it would be killer if we had coffins near the entrance, and you could get
your picture taken getting out of one, right next to your date getting out of his coffin. Isn’t that killer?” Sophia rattled on.
    Ivy
was dumbfounded. What did Olivia do?
    “So?”
Sophia asked expectantly. “What do you think?”
    “Since
when does it matter what I think?” Ivy asked, a little testily.
    “Uh,
since you came up with the theme, got elected head of decorations, and agreed
to have the ball at your house,” Sophia answered matter-of-factly.
    WHAT? Ivy’s head pounded.
She lay back down on her bed.
    “Speaking
of which, did you talk to your dad yet?” Sophia asked.
    “No, I
did not speak to my dad yet!” Ivy answered incredulously.
    After
a long pause, Sophia said, “Ivy, are you feeling okay?”
    “I . .
. er, I’m sorry, Soph. I just ...have a really grave headache. Can I call you
back later?” Ivy managed, and then she hung up, her hands trembling. I never
should have let Olivia go to that meeting! she thought in a panic.
    But
then she thought of Brendan. If she hadn’t gone through with the switch, she
wouldn’t have been able to go on the date. In fact, if it weren’t for Olivia,
she might never have spoken to Brendan at all.
    Ivy
let out a heavy sigh. She rummaged through her purse for her phone. She’d saved
her sister’s number on it when Olivia had borrowed it to call home.
    “Abbott
residence,”