Empty by Suzanne Weyn Page A

in such a piece of junk, but tonight anything that would take her away from her house was a welcome sight.
    â€œAre you upset that I was so late?”
    Niki hadn’t wanted to talk about what had happened with her father, so she said nothing, tried to act like nothing was wrong. But clearly he could tell she was troubled. “No, I understand that you couldn’t find gas. Even in Marietta, you have to know exactly when to show up at the station. And that truck of yours must suck up a ton, too.”
    â€œWay too much.”
    â€œThe smoke is getting to my eyes,” Niki offered as a partially true explanation for her strained eyes. She hadn’t told him that she’d come out without contacts or glasses. No doubt, her unfocused expression was adding to his sense that something was not right with her.
    â€œDo you want to move away from the fire?” Tom asked.
    â€œNo, then I’ll be cold.” Niki laughed lightly at her dilemma. “I’d rather be warm.”
    The night had been full of song and a friendly rivalry between some members of the Marietta Mariners football team, Sage Valley’s rivals. The next big football game would be a home game with the Mariners. Technically, the bonfire was a Sage Valley event, but every year a groupof Mariner players and cheerleaders showed up to taunt and be taunted in return.
    Tom wrapped his arm around Niki’s shoulder and pulled her tighter. She took in his warmth and the pleasantly smoky smell of his jacket. Maybe he was someone she really could like. She hadn’t started out to do anything more than make Brock jealous. But, with her limited vision, she couldn’t even find Brock in the crowd. And after the time she’d spent kissing Tom the other day…well, Niki was growing to like him more than she’d suspected she would.
    From the parking lot, someone hurtled an enraged curse into the night.
    A windshield shattered.
    â€œWhat’s happening?” Niki asked Tom.
    â€œI’m not sure,” he answered. He let go of her hand. “Stay here. I’ll find out.”
    The crowd around the big fire separated to make room for a bunch of Mariner cheerleaders. To Niki, they were just moving blurs, but she could clearly hear them chanting the Mariner cheers. Around them, her classmates booed and heckled good-naturedly.
    Would her cheering squad be expected to respond to this? Did they last year? She hadn’t been elected captain then, and couldn’t remember if they’d assembled to face off against the Mariner squad. Could she get through a routine half blind? She’d have to insist it wasn’t one with a pyramid or any kind of throw and catch.
    All of a sudden, Niki became aware of a large person standing beside her, tall and square—she’d know Brock just by the smell of the fabric softener his mother used. “Hey, Niki. Are you here by yourself?” he asked, his voice neutral.
    â€œWhat do you care?” Niki shot back.
    â€œDon’t be like that. We’re still friends.”
    â€œNo, we’re not, Brock. You dumped me twice! A friend wouldn’t do that.”
    â€œAw, come on, give me a break. You know it wasn’t working out. Maybe we won’t fight so much if we’re friends. I wanted to know if you’re alone because I think there’s going to be some fighting, and maybe you should get out of here before it starts.”
    A sharp shout carried up from the parking lot on the cold wind. Just as the Mariner cheerleaders were ending their last lines, everyone turned toward the sound. Its sharp, aggressive hostility lifted it above the joking barbs her classmates were pitching at the rival cheerleaders.
    â€œSee what I mean?” Brock said. “You should leave right now. I’m going down to see what’s going on.”
    â€œShouldn’t you leave, too?” Niki suggested.
    â€œI’ll be okay, but you should go.”
    â€œNo,