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

second the coach left the room, Artie struggled to his feet.
    Reenie knew the exact moment he spotted P.J. His face turned the same dull red it had after the car crash.
    Nothing is going to stop him from going after P.J. this time, she thought. Nothing.
    â€œYou little jerk!” Artie bellowed. “What were you trying to do—kill me?”
    â€œPlease, Artie,” Greta begged. “Leave him alone.”
    Liz jumped to her feet and stood in front of P.J. as if to protect him.

    â€œLeave poor little P.J. alone,” Artie mimicked sarcastically. “Poor little P.J. who tried to kill me.”
    â€œIt was an accident!” Greta cried. “Just an accident. He isn’t strong enough to lift those weights and you know it.” Then Greta added in a sweeter, calmer voice, “Come on, Artie. Accidents happen.”
    â€œYeah, that’s right,” Artie said coldly. He stared menacingly at P.J. “Accidents happen.”
    With a loud groan Artie dived for P.J.
    P.J. scrambled to his feet. He stared frantically around the room.
    Greta threw herself between P.J. and Artie. “Don’t touch him!”
    Bad move, Greta, Reenie thought. Now he’ll want to get P.J. even more.
    â€œDefending your new little boyfriend? How sweet!” Artie tried ducking around Greta to get to P.J. But she blocked his path.
    Coach Wilkins burst through the door. “Stop right there,” he ordered. He strode up to Artie and held him roughly by the arm.
    â€œP.J., get to your next class,” the coach ordered. “The rest of you, too. The show is over. The doctor wants to examine Artie. Without an audience.”
    Liz and Greta hovered beside P.J. as they all filed out of the room.
    Reenie glanced back at Artie. His eyes were focused on P.J., the muscles in his jaw clenched tight. This isn’t over, she thought. This definitely isn’t over.
    *   *   *
    â€œSorry I’m late, guys,” Artie muttered. He plopped down on Reenie’s bed next to Greta and took a swig of her Diet Coke. Then he leaned forward and gave her a long kiss.
    Interesting, Reenie thought. I guess they made up—for the millionth time since they started going together.
    â€œHow come you’re late? You found something you would rather do than study trig?” Sean joked.
    â€œI wanted to get in my weight training. I skipped it yesterday,” Artie explained.
    â€œWeight training?” Greta asked. She didn’t sound too happy. “After what happened in school this afternoon? I didn’t think you were still doing that.”
    â€œYeah,” he admitted. “But not at school. Merc’s got his own set of weights—better than the ones in the gym. I work out over there now.”
    â€œI thought Marc was steaming because of what happened to his new car!” Greta exclaimed.
    â€œHe finally cooled off. He realized it was P.J.’s fault. Everything bad that’s been happening to me is because of that guy. What a bad-news guy. It’s not safe to be around him.”
    Reenie noticed that Greta didn’t jump in to defend P.J. She must not want to start another fight, Reenie decided. I don’t blame her.
    â€œWell, we’re all here except for Ty,” Reenie announced. “He called to tell me he’s going out with Liz tonight. He tried to sound casual about it. But I could tell he thought it was a big deal.”
    â€œTook him long enough,” Artie commented.

    â€œHe finally did it. Cool,” Greta remarked. “I told you they’re perfect for each other.”
    Sean sighed. “Can we go on to the next problem? We can discuss Ty’s love life later.”
    â€œNope. We have something more important to do first,” Reenie replied.
    Artie squinted at her. “Excuse me?”
    â€œWe have to decide who to invite to my party!” Reenie explained. She picked up a pad and pencil. “Come on.