Read Edgewood Series: Books 1 - 3 for Free Online

group I don’t know anything about,” I said. “If that’s a condition, forget it.”
    “This is an opportunity to be part of something important,” she said, emphasizing each word. “You are part of this whether you know it or not. We need each other—you’re going to find that out sooner or later.”
    There was a long pause, for dramatic effect on her part, I guessed, and on my end, because what the hell do you say to that? “This is a church youth group, isn’t it?”
    “No.”
    I guessed again. “A service organization?”
    “No.”
    “An exclusive academic club?”
    “No, no, and double no,” she said and laughed. “Do you really think I’m that type of person?”
    “Frankly, I don’t know what type of person you are, Mallory Nassif. I know you believe in miracles on Poplar Drive, and you play field hockey. That’s all I know.” I looked down at the notebook page, which was now covered in doodles. I wrote, CRAZY in large letters and circled it three times.
    “I’ll tell you what,” Mallory said. “Just meet with us and then make your decision. I think you’d be a good fit.”
    I cleared my throat. Her proposition sounded interesting, but I doubted it was as great as she was making it out to be.
    She continued without waiting for an answer. “Tomorrow night at midnight. I’ll text directions for where to meet beforehand.”
    “Midnight?”
    “That’s when we meet,” she said. “Are you interested or not?”
    “Tomorrow night is a school night.”
    “Yeah, so what? So was last night.”
    She had a point. Chances were pretty good I’d be up and wandering around anyway. “What kind of group meets in the middle of the night?” I asked.
    “Come and find out, if you’re interested. And if you have the nerve.”
    “Okay,” I said finally.
    “Okay what?”
    “I’ll think about it.”
    “You do that.” Then Mallory laughed again, a really great laugh, like she’d won an argument. She was certain I’d show up, that much was sure. As for me, I still hadn’t decided.

 
     
     

CHAPTER NINE
     
     
    I hated to admit it, but Mallory Nassif had gotten to me. Inviting me to join some secret group, but not giving me the details, was, I’m sure, supposed to make me insanely curious, and it worked. The next day, I found myself thinking about what she’d said. What if this was some type of dark cult? Would there be blood oaths or black robes? What if her group did things that were illegal? Or maybe she was messing with me and there was no group. It could all be a big practical joke. My mind whirred with all the possibilities, making me distracted during class.
    “Mr. Becker, would you like to join our discussion?” Ms. Birnbaum asked. It was one of those smart-ass questions teachers use that I really hate. Along with: Would you care to let the rest of us in on the joke? and Are we interrupting your sleep? Teachers think they’re being clever, but the truth is, it’s just annoying. If students could answer the way they wanted to they’d say, No I don’t want to join the class discussion because frankly, it sucks. And if I wanted to let you all in on the joke, I would have done it already. Finally, yes, you are interrupting my sleep. Could you keep it down?
    Maybe I was just in a mood. Lack of sleep will do that to you.
    I looked for Mallory between classes and spotted her a few times, walking down the halls. I saw her at lunch too. She was always with at least one other girl, so I couldn’t talk to her. I’ve noticed that girls always travel in packs if they have a choice. Today, like every other day, Mallory’s hair was pulled back in her usual ponytail. I heard her burst out laughing at one point and it made me smile. Her laughter was explosive and happy-sounding. No one could duplicate that noise if they tried.
    I finally caught her eye at the end of the day. I was getting something out of my locker when she walked past with Amelia Schuster. Amelia was talking a mile a minute