What It Takes Read Free Page B

go up the stairs.
    They divide their work quickly, splitting the European countries they have to do their report on, then start shuffling through their books. After a while Andrew opens his laptop to search for information on the geography of Italy. The quiet is unnerving and makes him feel twitchy.
    “You shouldn’t have told,” Milo says suddenly. He doesn’t yell, but Andrew’s never heard someone so angry before.
    “I…” Andrew turns to look at him. “I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t want him to hurt you anymore.”
    “Well, I’d tell you if he did, only you can’t keep your fucking mouth shut.”
    Andrews stomach drops. “Is he?”
    “Like I’d ever tell you.” Milo gets up on his knees and squeezes his pencil so hard it breaks. He looks down in surprise, then throws it. “You said you’d keep it a secret. You’re a liar and you suck.”
    “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” is all he says, because he doesn’t know what else to say. Andrew’s throat is tight and scratchy. He is sorry because he knows that telling had consequences Milo is paying for, but also selfishly because he misses Milo so much. Andrew would be mortified to play pretend with other friends the way they used to—it’s way uncool, but Milo never cared about that. None of his other friends try to draw with him or understand the things Andrew likes to do. No one else would think to memorize the constellations Andrew invents, or pretend along with him that they’re maps to navigate by. And he can see how alone Milo has been, because his friends were Andrew’s friends and Milo stopped talking to all of them when Andrew told.
    “Whatever, it’s not like anyone believed you anyway,” Milo says.
    “Because you lied!”
    “What was I supposed to do? My dad said I had to and that if I didn’t everything would fall apart and he’d leave us. He was going to leave us with nothing, and then my mom would be all alone. Where would we live?”
    “I…” Andrew swallows. “I didn’t—” He’d never thought of Milo’s mom. He barely knows her actually, only that she’s quiet and reserved and stays home all day, which is weird. His stomach turns when he thinks how he would feel if one of his parents decided to leave.
    “Yeah well, whatever.” Milo begins stuffing his books back into his bag. “I don’t care if we fail this, I don’t care, I don’t care .”
    “But your grade—” Andrew says. Milo’s parents are  really  strict about doing well in school. And now that he knows more, he has an idea that bad grades mean worse things than yelling in his house. Milo’s shoulders drop. “Milo…” Andrew kicks the carpet lightly. “What if I promise to keep your secrets?”
    “Are you kidding?” Milo’s eyebrows rise so high it’s almost comical, but there’s nothing funny about the disbelief and anger on his face.
    “It didn’t help, did it? I know that now,” Andrew points out. “And we could be friends. You could come here when you need to and not be alone. I know you have been alone. We could do stuff again and have  fun .”
    Milo is quiet for a while. “And you’d really promise not to tell this time?”
    “Cross my heart.”
    Milo looks down at where his hands still grip his book bag. He finishes putting his stuff away, more carefully this time. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
    “Yeah?” Andrew tries not to smile too wide. It’s not a promise, but it gives him hope.
    Milo zips up his bag. “But I have to go. Can we do this tomorrow?”
    “Sure, yeah.” Andrew has his lame piano lessons before dinner, and he reminds Milo, who nods.
    “After school then. If we look at our parts tonight, maybe it’ll go faster.”
    “Okay,” Andrew says. He stands when Milo does, but Milo gestures with his hand. 
    “It’s fine, I know my way out.” He leaves Andrew’s door open and clomps down the stairs. Andrew winces when he hears the front door slam. It’s not a good sound, but