Cast Your Ballot! by Rachel Wise Page A

about John Scott. “That guy’s got a lot more promises than Anthony Wright. But Anthony’s are at least realistic. I think he could really win.”
    Hailey looked thoughtful. “Too bad he’s so nerdy.”
    â€œYeah,” agreed Jenna. “He needs a makeover.”
    â€œBingo!” I cried, pointing my greasy, wadded-up napkin at her. “My thoughts exactly. And who’s just the person to do the job?” I asked them all.
    â€œYou?” said Jenna tentatively.
    Kristen was stumped.
    Hailey’s eyes widened as she got it. “Allie!”she breathed reverently. Hailey worships Allie. “O-M-G, Sammy, that is genius.”
    â€œWhat is Allie, like, the Makeover Queen?” asked Kristen.
    â€œMm-hmm,” I said through a mouthful of pizza.
    â€œYou have no idea,” said Hailey worshipfully.
    I crunched on my crust and looked at my watch. “Should we head out?” I asked.
    Everyone stood up and tossed their garbage; then we made our way over to the theater. Sure enough, who was in line but old Mikey himself. Hailey flashed a megawatt grin of happiness for me, and I smiled back. I caught Michael searching the crowd, and when he saw me, he stopped and grinned. “There you are!” he called. I waved. “See you in there!” He nodded. “Girls’ night!” he replied, and he continued on to the ticket taker.
    I smiled happily to myself and turned back to my friends, who were all grinning at me.
    â€œ He might not come ,” teased Hailey.
    â€œOh, shush, you!” I said happily.

Chapter 7

BEST FRIEND IS MORTIFIED, REFUSES TO BE COMFORTED

    Opening night of a new scary movie is wild in our town. The show was sold out (thankfully Hailey had had her dad buy our tickets online in advance), and we were lucky to find four seats together. Of course, we were smushed up against the wall, but it was better than being scattered. I craned my head to search the theater and find Michael, finally locating the cute back of his head in the middle toward the front. He was with annoying Jeff Perry (rogue photographer!), his friend Frank Duane, and a couple of other guys I didn’t recognize from behind.
    Hailey sat first, against the wall, then Jenna, Kristen, and me. Jenna and Kristen volunteeredto go get snacks, and Hailey and I held down the fort, talking across the two empty seats.
    â€œSo was Anthony up for meeting Allie?” she asked.
    I nodded. “Yeah, definitely. Whatever it takes, he said.”
    Hailey nodded. “You think he’ll ask you to be his VP?” she joked.
    â€œNah. He’s so good, I don’t even think he needs one! But maybe we should try to think up a few suggestions for him anyway.” I thought about who could balance him out. “He could use a girl, someone with a good reputation, if not downright popular, someone sporty, maybe not as academic as him. Someone . . .”
    Suddenly Hailey let out an ear-piercing scream.
    â€œWhat?” I jumped out of my seat and stared at her. She was pointing at the wall where a centipede was wiggling toward the light fixture.
    Now, everyone has their phobias, and I know they’re not rational. I hate snakes (normal), Allie hates mice (totally average), my mom hatesroaches (common), but Hailey has phobias about clowns and centipedes. A little odd, don’t you think? Go figure.
    â€œHails, it’s all right.” I grabbed my notebook out of my bag and stood and tried to give it a whack, but I couldn’t reach it.
    â€œSam! It’s crawling toward me now!” shrieked Hailey, her knees pulled up in front of her as if it were coming at her from the floor. “Get it!”
    I flailed spastically at the multilegged insect as it wiggled across the wall, and I could feel people turning to stare.
    Heroic Battle: Girl vs. . . . Centipede?
    â€œSam! EEEK!” screeched Hailey as I tried to whack it and fell over like