Between These Lines (A Young Adult Novel) by Jennifer Murgia Page A

back down and we’ll talk?” He took his seat on the other side of
the massive desk. Clearly I couldn’t do anything else but follow his
suggestion.
    Never
had anyone ever tried to pin something so unbelievably criminal against me. I
may not have any close friends, but I was certain I didn’t have such hateful
enemies either –at least not until recently. I shook my head disbelieving
that my simple association with Evie would result in such an extreme act. As of
yesterday, I knew of one person who would have a substance like that on him. Ty
Dunhammer. But Ty would never have a solid enough reason to involve me or blame
me, let alone waste his valuable stock by planting it beneath my desk in order
to get me in trouble.
    I
shuddered with anger knowing exactly who would have such a motive. Shane. But how was I supposed to convince the man in front of me that his own nephew,
his own flesh and blood, could conspire to set me up?
    What
came out of Headmaster Whitley’s mouth next was enough to make anyone’s jaw
drop to the floor.
    “Chase,
do you understand what tough love is?”
    “I’ve
heard of it, sir.”
    He
was up and standing again, this time pacing behind his desk.
    “My
nephew, Shane, has a little problem. It seems the fact that I run this
institution has given him a very cocky approach to life.”
    No,
really?
    “My
brother’s son has always had an ego, always managed to stay ahead and be
well-liked.
    I’m
afraid his confidence has gotten him into a mess he may not be able to talk
himself out of.”
    “Sir,
I really don’t understand what this has to do with me,” I gently interrupted,
eager for him to get on with it and tell me I could go back to class.  
    He
held up his hand, reminding me of the way Shane cut me off in the bathroom
earlier. “It’s at Professor Coleman’s urging that I’m speaking to you in
strictest confidence, Mr. Mitman. Things are very tricky where this is
concerned, and this will very soon be taken out of my hands. I’ve made a deal
with the authorities that I would handle this my way first, before they do
their job. You see, if my nephew is arrested for carrying cocaine, it would
cause quite a scandal for Whitley Preparatory. I’ve convinced the D.A. that if
I can inform them of an accomplice, or perhaps a supplier among the student
body, it will save a great deal of grief from the Board, and give my nephew the
help he needs by means of rehabilitation.”
    He
needs a lot more help than that, I thought to myself. “So what exactly do you
want from me?”
    He
leaned over the desk. “I’ve heard you’re getting awfully chummy with a few of
Shane’s closest friends.”
    “I
don’t see it that way.”
    “Evie
Cunningham is working on a paper with you, is she not? And you were seen eating
lunch with Shane’s friends yesterday. I’d say you’re in. Now, is there anything
you might be willing to tell me?”
    My
hands were coated in sweat. Oh, sure, I knew a lot, but was it safe to say so?
Regardless of being head of the school, this man was Shane’s uncle. Did my own
past experiences with Shane, combined with what Evie had just divulged in the
library, count as safe? What if Evie found out that I spilled everything she’d
just entrusted me with? She’d never forgive me, and it would absolutely ruin
all that’s just developed these last couple of days between us. But Shane hurt
Evie, and if he was out of the way, getting help somewhere, then it would be
worth it. I was teetering on the edge of what was right and what was wrong,
moral and immoral, tattling or speaking out. So many people had been hurt by
Shane, used by him, just so he could get what he wanted. Even if what he wanted
was nothing more than a good laugh.
    It
was wrong. They knew it. Evie knew it—and so did I.
    I
closed my eyes, swallowed hard, and told Headmaster Whitley and Professor
Coleman everything I knew. I told them about the paper I saw at the library,
about Ty, and about the deal
    I
was