Send by Patty Blount Page B

keep the personal arguments out of the debate. Mr. Cutler, I believe you had a point to make?”
    The kid named Cutler said, “Yeah, I was gonna say that’s why hotels and car renters ask if you want smoking or nonsmoking, so people who are bothered by the odor have a choice. What’s wrong with just, you know, continuing that instead of outlawing smoking altogether?”
    The rest of the guy’s argument faded into the background when I sensed Julie’s eyes on me. I turned, caught her gaze. “What?”
    She shrugged. “You’re good at this.”
    â€œArguing?”
    â€œNo. Thinking on your feet. I am so nervous.”
    â€œYou did great.” I grinned. Her eyes widened, and her mouth went slack for a minute.
    Easy, Romeo.
    I grinned wider. I’d been told I had a killer smile.
    Kenny’s derisive snort echoed in my mind. Yeah, by Mom. Are you really counting that?
    I ignored Kenny. I was having fun. Class ended all too soon. I decided to find Brandon, find out if he was mad at me or something.
    I headed to his locker but didn’t see him. It was nearly time for homeroom, and those were assigned alphabetically, so I started in that direction when I caught sight of Brandon down at the far end of the corridor.
    I walked closer and was about to call out his name when I saw him glance around and shove a folded piece of paper through the slats in one locker.
    It wasn’t his locker.
    What the hell was he up to?
    â€œHey, Brandon!” I called, and he leaped about two feet high.
    â€œJesus, Dan.” He clutched his chest. “You scared the piss out of me.”
    â€œSorry,” I smiled. “Isn’t your homeroom back that way? What are you doing down here?”
    â€œI’m not doing anything!”
    My grin faded. “Yeah, okay. Don’t bite my head off.”
    â€œI gotta go. I’m gonna be late.”
    With a squeak of shoes on linoleum, he was gone.
    Weird, man.
    Definitely.
    Just as I turned into my own homeroom, I heard a locker open behind me. It was Jeff. He bent to retrieve the folded paper I’d just seen Brandon shove inside his locker. As he read it, his face tightened into an expression of pure malice.
    A shiver skated down my back.
    â€”———
    â€œKenny.” I was in the privacy of my car, but the little deviant was hiding. “Come on, Kenny, I need your help.”
    Keep your panties on, Danielle. He was suddenly sitting beside me.
    About time.
    You’re lucky I answer you at all. You treat me like crap.
    I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped my mouth. Me? You’re the one who never lets me forget what I did to Liam. Here, it’s about to start all over again, and instead of helping me stop it, you’d rather make popcorn and watch.
    Doesn’t matter what I want. Only what you want.
    He made a valid point. I didn’t often see his wants as relevant. In this case, however, Kenny’s wants were entirely relevant.
    I know what you want, Kenny. You help me stop this, and I’ll give it to you.
    He rolled his eyes and smirked. Yeah. Right.
    I’m serious, Kenny. Brandon’s planning something. I have to stop him.
    And how exactly are we supposed to do that?
    No idea. That’s why I need your help. You kept me alive when I was trapped in that hellhole. Help me do the same for Brandon. Please.
    In exchange for?
    Julie.
    Kenny’s eyes gleamed. I supposed that meant mine gleamed too. Take Brandon home.
    With a jerk of his chin, he alerted me to Brandon walking between some parked cars.
    I hit the horn, startling him. “Want a ride?”
    His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. “Nah, I can take the bus.”
    â€œCome on, man. I’m heading over to Julie’s anyway.”
    â€œI don’t need a friggin’ baby-sitter.”
    I inclined my head. “Brandon, I thought you were my only friend in this place. You telling me I’m