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

Reenie,” Greta urged. “You can’t let a chance like this slip away.”
    â€œNo one else’s parents are going to be out of town right before Christmas,” Sean added. “This is too good a chance to pass up.”
    They all gazed at Reenie, waiting.
    Reenie had suggested the idea to Sean as a “maybe” kind of thing. But she wanted to have the party asmuch as everyone else did. She was up for anything that would help get things back to normal.
    â€œOkay,” she replied, grinning. “Let’s go for it.”
    â€œWho are you going to invite?” Greta asked.
    Before Reenie could answer, Sandi Burke pushed her way up to their table. “Get to the weight room,” she choked out. “Quick!”
    Reenie felt a chill down her back. Something else has happened, she knew. Something bad.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Sean asked Sandi.
    â€œWhat happened?” Liz demanded.
    â€œJust get to the weight room,” Sandi replied, her eyes wide with fear.

Chapter 14

KISS OF DEATH
    R eenie bolted down the corridor to the gym. Sean yanked open one of the big double doors, and they all raced to the weight room.
    â€œStay back!” Coach Wilkins ordered sharply as they crammed inside. Reenie caught his expression of alarm.
    She stood on tiptoes, straining to peer around Coach Wilkins and the group of kids crowding the small room.
    She cried out when she saw Artie lying beside the weight-lifting bench. He was sprawled on his back, arms and legs splayed. He didn’t move.
    Is this another joke? Reenie wondered. No. CoachWilkins wouldn’t get involved in one of our stupid pranks.
    â€œArtie!” Greta screamed. She shoved her way through the crowd, trying to reach him.
    The coach grabbed her by the arm. “I told you to stay back!” he snapped. “He needs air.”
    Reenie turned to Sandi. “What happened?”
    Sandi’s words came in a rush. “We were talking in the hall, Artie and me. He started bragging about how much weight he could lift—you know, in a bench press or whatever you call it—and I didn’t believe him. He said he’d show me. And Artie asked P.J. to help with the weights if anything goes wrong. You know. To be his spotter. I think he wanted to make P.J. feel bad. P.J. would never be able to lift as much weight as—”
    â€œBut what happened to Artie?” Greta demanded impatiently.
    â€œArtie lifted the barbell off the stand okay,” Sandi explained. “But then he couldn’t get it back on. His arms were giving out. He yelled for help, but P.J. didn’t know what to do, or he wasn’t strong enough—or something. P.J. dropped the barbell on Artie. Artie fell off the bench, and the weight fell on top of him!”
    Artie groaned.
    He’s alive! Reenie told herself. She wrapped an arm around Greta’s shoulders.
    â€œWhere do you hurt?” Reenie heard Coach Wilkins ask.
    â€œEverywhere,” Artie groaned. He struggled to situp. “I’m going to get that little creep, P.J.” he threatened.
    â€œYou are going to stay put. I have a doctor on the way,” the coach told him. “You both should have known better than to fool around in here without supervision.”
    Reenie glanced around the weight room. She spotted P.J. sitting against the back wall, staring down at the floor. Liz knelt beside him, an angry expression on her face.
    â€œI feel sorry for P.J.,” Greta declared. “He was only trying to help. Artie never should have asked him. He should know P.J. can’t do things like that.” She hurried over to P.J. and Liz.
    Whoa, Reenie thought. That’s no way to calm Artie down. He’s going to explode if he catches Greta over there with P.J. He’s already so jealous.
    â€œDon’t try to stand up until I get back,” Coach Wilkins instructed. “Do you understand me, Artie?”
    Artie nodded. But the