The Confession Read Free Page B

driveway that led up to Sandy’s house. But Hillary held me back. “Wait,” she murmured, gazing up at the house.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I asked, turning and studying her face.
    â€œAl has been pestering me again,” Hillary said, rolling her eyes. “Do you believe it?”
    â€œWhat does he want this time?” I asked. “More money?”
    Hillary shook her head. “He made me lend him my car.”
    â€œOh, wow,” I murmured.
    â€œI—I’ve been so upset and angry about Al, I just had to tell someone,” Hillary stammered.
    â€œWell, of course you can tell me,” I replied. “I’m your best friend.”
    â€œHe’s always after me for money, or for my history notes, or for my car,” Hillary continued, talking rapidly as always, her voice tight with anger. “He pesters me all the time. And if I try to say no to him—”
    â€œHe threatens to tell your parents about the chemistry exam.” I finished the sentence for her. “I’m in the same boat, Hillary.” I sighed. “He threatens me all the time too.”
    â€œI hate myself for letting this happen to me!” Hillary wailed. She balled her hands into tight fists. “Al has such power over me and it’s all my fault. I never should have taken that old test from him. Never, never, never! It’s the biggest mistake of my life!”
    I stared at my friend in shock. In all the years we’d been friends, I never saw her totally lose it like that.
    I placed a hand on her shoulder. She was shaking! “It’ll be okay,” I said softly, soothingly. “He’s doing the same thing to me. But he’ll get bored. Really.”
    Her dark eyes locked on mine. “Bored? Do you think so?”
    I nodded. “Al has a very short attention span. He’ll get tired of bullying us. He’ll move on to some new victims. You’ll see.”
    She didn’t reply. I could see she was thinking hard, maybe about what I’d just said.
    We made our way up the driveway, our shoes crunching noisily over the gravel. I raised my fingerto the doorbell, but the front door swung open before I could press it.
    Sandy pushed open the glass storm door. I could see instantly from the troubled expression on his face that something was wrong.
    â€œSandy—what is it?” I demanded.
    â€œDid you hear about Al?” Sandy asked.

Chapter
    4

    â€œH uh?” I uttered. A hard shudder ran down my body. I could feel the back of my neck tighten.
    â€œCome in. Hurry,” Sandy urged. He held open the door, and Hillary and I slid past him into the living room. Taylor and Vincent were sitting at opposite ends of the green leather couch. Despite the blustery weather, Taylor wore khaki shorts and a pink midriff top that left most of her stomach bare.
    I nodded to them both. “What about Al?” I demanded, turning to Sandy.
    â€œHe got suspended from school.” Taylor answered the question for Sandy.
    â€œYeah, he did.” Sandy nodded, shaking his head. He nibbled his bottom lip. He looks a lot younger when he does that.
    Sandy is short and a little chubby. He has a nice face—nothing special, but nice. But he always reminds me of a shy, fretful twelve-year-old.
    â€œWhy?” Hillary demanded. “Why’d they suspend him?”
    Vincent grinned at us. “Al rolled up his English term paper and smoked it in front of Mrs. Hirsch.”
    Hillary and I both gasped.
    â€œYou’re kidding!” I cried.
    Vincent’s grin grew wider. “Yeah. I’m kidding. He got into a fight.”
    â€œCan’t you ever be serious?” Sandy asked Vincent sharply.
    Vincent shook his head no.
    Taylor reached across the couch and slapped Vincent’s shoulder. “You’re terrible!” she declared.
    â€œThanks,” Vincent replied.
    I think Vincent has an adorable grin. His whole face crinkles up. He has