Free Twisted by Jo Gibson Page B

open.”
    That cracked everyone up, Amy included. But all the while she was laughing and releasing the tension from the funeral, she was wondering why Danny always seemed to read her mind and anticipate exactly what she wanted to say.

Eight
    I t was Wednesday afternoon, and Amy, Colleen, and Kevin had just finished counting the votes. Amy had typed them up neatly, and as she walked down the hall to post them on the bulletin board, the loudspeaker crackled into life.
    â€œAttention all students . . .” Amy recognized Mr. Dorman’s deep voice. “The National Weather Service has determined that road conditions are hazardous, and the scheduled basketball game with the Farmington Mountain Lions has been postponed. I repeat, there will be no basketball game tonight. That is all.”
    Amy sighed as she reached the bulletin board and tacked up the latest contest results. There was clearly a new leader for Valentine’s Day Queen. Gail had a total of eighty-five votes, and Jessica, her closest competitor, had only twenty-three.
    â€œHey, Amy . . . are you going down to the Hungry Burger tonight?” Danny grinned as he approached the bulletin board from the opposite direction.
    â€œI guess so. We always do when there’s no game. How about you?”
    â€œI’ll be there. How’s the horse race coming?”
    â€œDanny!” Amy laughed. “It’s not a horse race and you know it!”
    Danny grinned. “Too bad it isn’t. I’d bet Gail to win.”
    â€œI don’t think you could find anybody to take your bet. Brett’s been spending a lot of money buying her votes, and she’s way ahead of everyone else.”
    Danny glanced at the list, and nodded. “You’re right. It’s pretty one-sided. But the rest of you are getting some votes.”
    â€œNot enough to win. Jessica’s the closest with twenty-three, and Michele’s got nineteen. And then there’s Colleen with twelve.”
    Danny raised his eyebrows. “Twelve? Are you sure?”
    â€œI’m positive. We count the votes twice to make sure they’re right.”
    â€œAnd she really got twelve?” Danny began to grin. “That’s great! Maybe I can stop spending my money on her.”
    Amy was curious. “How much did you spend?”
    â€œFive bucks. I didn’t want her to be the only girl without any votes. Do you have any idea who’s been voting for her?”
    â€œNot really. I didn’t recognize the handwriting.”
    Danny shrugged. “Oh, well. Whoever it is, I owe him one. I was getting tired of spending my hard-earned cash on this dumb contest.”
    â€œDanny?” Amy turned to look up at him. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
    â€œSure, Amy. What is it?”
    Amy began to blush. She hated to ask, but she really wanted to know. “I’ve got a total of five votes. Are you . . . uh . . . spending your money to buy me votes, so I won’t be embarrassed?”
    Danny shook his head. “Not me. Don’t get me wrong, Amy. I would have written in your name, but I noticed that you were getting votes on your own.”
    â€œThanks . . . I think.” Amy laughed, and then she turned serious. “I wonder who’s voting for me.”
    â€œI don’t know. Can’t you tell by his writing?”
    Amy shook her head. “No. He always prints. Do you think you could ask around, without being too obvious about it?”
    â€œSure. But why do you want to know?”
    â€œWell . . .” Amy hesitated. She was terribly embarrassed. “If I tell you, will you promise not to say anything to anyone else?”
    Danny nodded. “I promise. Now tell me.”
    â€œI don’t have a date for the dance. I was going to ask Brett, but he’s going with Gail, and I don’t know who else to ask. If I can find out who’s voting for me, I’m going to ask him.”
    â€œThat