Read Invasion of the Boy Snatchers for Free Online Page B

Massie rolled her eyes and playfully pushed him out of the circle. “Grow up.”
    “Oh, please. You love my butt,” Derrington teased.
    “Yeah, right.” Massie instantly hated herself for not coming up with a better comeback. Why did the battery in her brain always seem to die when Derrington was around?
    “I hope you’ll be there on Friday cheering us on. You can be my good luck charm.” Derrington grinned.
    Massie instantly tuned back into the conversation. “Of course I’ll be there. I
love
soccer.”
    “Good.” Derrington’s smile was so sincere, Massie couldn’t help smiling too. The twinkle in his light brown eyes made her feel fairly confident that he hadn’t met another girl at skate camp. But just to make sure . . .
    “Was your skate camp co-ed?” she asked. “Kristen was thinking of going next year, but I told her I thought it was boys only, right, Kristen?”
    Massie widened her amber eyes so Kristen would know to play along.
    “Uh, right.” Kristen adjusted her fedora. It was obvious to Massie she had no idea what she was agreeing to.
    “Sorry, it’s boys only,” Derrington said. “But Kristen, if you wear that hat, they might let you in.”
    “Very funny.” She rolled her eyes. “By the way, you suck as goalie this year. Maybe you should spend a little less time skating and a little more time practicing.”
    Plovert and Cam laughed at Kristen’s jab. Massie joined them, even though she had no idea what goalies had to do in order to “suck.”
    “What are you laughing at, Plovert?” Derrington shook his head. “You broke your ankle the minute we got there.”
    “Yeah, and I bet I’m still better in the net than you are.”
    Everyone laughed except Massie. She hoped they were only joking. It was one thing to be associated with a guy who wore shorts in January if he was a star athlete. But if he really did suck, everyone would think he was a loser. And that would make her an even bigger loser for hanging out with him. Massie closed her eyes and said a quick prayer for the Tomahawks. It was crucial for her reputation that they win Friday’s game.
    “Please, no one is better than this guy.” Todd pushed his way into their circle and put his arm around Derrington.
    “Todd, what are you doing?” Claire asked. It was obvious from her tone that she wanted him to leave.
    “I thought I’d come and say hi to my new roomie.” Todd released Derrington and winked at Massie. His little friend, Tiny Nathan, covered his mouth with his miniature hand and giggled. “Now that we live together, I feel like it’s my duty to keep an eye on you.”
    “What is he tawking about?” Kristen asked Massie. “Why is he your new roomie?”
    “You live together?” Derrington asked. Unfortunately, he didn’t sound jealous, just surprised.
    Massie wanted to shove the heels of her Jimmy Choo slides up Todd’s freckly nose. This was worse than the time she’d caught him eavesdropping on her sleepover. The last thing she wanted to do at this party was fight with her jealous friends about their new living situation.
    “Didn’t you hear?” Todd asked Kristen. “We’re living—”
    “Yes, Todd, everyone knows you live in our guesthouse. And in a minute, they are all going to know that you talk to your—”
    “Let’s go, Nathan.” Todd grabbed his friend’s skinny wrist and pulled him into the crowd. “I’ve got a thing for that hottie over by the vegetable platters.”
    Massie was doing her best to avoid Claire’s eyes, knowing she was probably wondering why their living situation had to remain a secret.
    “Can I have your attention, please?” Alicia’s mother, Nadia, shouted from the top of the staircase. Massie breathed a sigh of relief when Claire turned away to listen to the announcement. Crisis averted.
    Nadia was wearing a dark brown strapless paisley dress and a ridiculously huge necklace made of peacock feathers. Her black hair was wrapped in a tight bun on top of her head and