The New Year's Party by R.L. Stine

his pulse. “Please be all right. Please!” she begged.

    P.J.’s eyes fluttered open and he turned his head toward Reenie. “Are you hurt?” she cried.
    But he didn’t answer. He seemed totally bewildered. Barely conscious.
    â€œOh, no, I don’t
believe
it!” Artie cried, striding up beside Reenie.
    â€œArtie—he’s hurt,” Reenie said.
    â€œYou creep!” he snarled at P.J. “Look what you did! You plowed right into me. Marc’s going to kill me!”
    P.J. didn’t react.
    He’s still dazed, Reenie saw.
    Artie slammed the side of the van with his fist. “You ran a stop sign!” he screamed. “Don’t you know how to drive? What’s wrong with you!”
    Reenie slipped between Artie and P.J. “Calm down,” she urged. “Please.”
    Artie grabbed her by the shoulders. He stared at her, his eyes cold. “Why is everyone always defending him?” he demanded. “What’s so special about P.J.?” Artie’s fingers dug into her skin. She could feel his hot breath on her face. “Huh, Reenie? Why does everyone love little P.J.?”
    Reenie didn’t answer. She concentrated on meeting Artie’s gaze. She knew if Artie decided to go for P.J., she wouldn’t be able to stop him.
    Artie, leave P.J. alone, she thought. Leave him alone. It’s not his fault you and Greta are always fighting.
    A horn honked behind them—loud and long.
    Artie let go of Reenie and backed away, shaking his head.

    Whew! That was close, Reenie thought. Relief raced through her as she watched Artie climb back into the car.
    Artie stuck his head out the window. “I’m not going to forget this, P.J.!” he yelled. Then he peeled away, his tires squealing.
    Reenie turned to P.J. “Are you okay?” she asked softly. He nodded. His eyes seemed clearer. “Okay as I’ll ever be,” he told her glumly.
    â€œMarc went totally ballistic over what Artie did to his car,” Greta told the others the next day at lunch.
    â€œI don’t blame him,” Sean muttered.
    â€œIt wasn’t Artie’s fault,” Reenie reminded them. “P.J. ran the stop sign.”
    Reenie noticed Liz staring down at her plate. Poor Liz, she thought. It must be tough having a brother like P.J. She must feel she has to protect him all the time.
    Reenie glanced over at Liz. Ty was leaning close to her, whispering something that made Liz smile a little. Reenie smiled, too. At least Liz and Ty are getting together, she thought. Now maybe Liz won’t worry about P.J.
all
the time.
    â€œEver since Artie started running around with Marc, he acts crazy,” Greta complained. “It’s like Marc has turned him into another person.”
    â€œAre they still friends?” Ty asked. “I mean, after Artie wrecked his car and all?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Greta answered.

    â€œMaybe they won’t run around together anymore,” Liz suggested.
    â€œI doubt it would make any difference,” Greta replied. “Artie seems to have become permanently weird.” She took a bite of her carrot, then tossed it down. “Okay, who has chocolate?” she demanded.
    Reenie handed her half a chocolate chip cookie.
    Sean cleared his throat. “I have a major announcement.”
    We could use a new topic of conversation, Reenie thought. Anything that doesn’t involve P.J., Artie, or Marc.
    â€œReenie’s parents are going to be away for a few days,” Sean announced. “I’m trying to talk her into throwing a Christmas party.”
    â€œHey, awesome!” Ty exclaimed.
    â€œYeah, good idea!” Greta agreed.
    â€œI’ll come,” Liz added.
    â€œIt’s unanimous,” Sean declared. “Everybody thinks you should do it.”
    â€œI’ll think about it,” Reenie told them. “But—I’m not sure—”
    â€œCome on,