A Good Enough Reason by C.M. Lievens Read Free Book Online Page B

you’re not the one being bullied, so I don’t know if it would work.”
    “And it would make me a snitch.” Not that Dale cared—much. High school would be over in a few months anyway, and he doubted he’d ever see any of his classmates again, except for his best friend and possibly Stephanie if they were still together. Still, if he did tell on Mark, those months would be hell for both Dale and Ellis. Not only would Mark retaliate as best he could, but lots of people would be angry with Dale for telling, which was probably why Ellis hadn’t done it.
    “Have you tried talking to Mark?”
    “Not yet, but I will.”
    “And if he doesn’t listen? You know how he is.”
    “Yeah, stubborn as a mule. If he doesn’t… I’ll try to stay with Ellis as much as possible. That ought to keep Mark away.”
    “You can’t stay with Ellis the entire day. You don’t even share all your classes.”
    “I can ask Seth to help. I’m sure between the two of us we’ll make it work.”
    Stephanie didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t shoot Dale’s idea down either. “Look, isn’t that him?”
    Dale looked, and sure enough, Ellis was there. He was standing in front of the theater with his friend and another guy who had to be her boyfriend.
    Ellis looked… cute. More than cute, in a boyish kind of way. Dale could see he wore a dark T-shirt with a green design under his jacket and comfortable-looking jeans and shoes.
    Dale’s smile broadened, and he tugged on Stephanie’s hand, dragging her along as he walked closer. “Ellis!”
    Ellis looked up, but instead of smiling or even looking annoyed, he blanched and looked at his feet again. Dale frowned and let Stephanie’s hand go. He stopped in front of Ellis, who was still ignoring him. “Ellis? Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
    “As if you don’t know,” Ellis replied without looking at Dale.
    Dale was puzzled. “What are you talking about?”
    “Did you have a good laugh with Mark today?”
    “What?” It didn’t take long for Dale to put everything he knew together and realize what Ellis was talking about. “I had nothing to do with it, I swear.”
    He looked around, knowing people—students from their school mostly—were starting to notice them. He cringed a bit, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to explain himself. He turned to his girlfriend. “Can you buy the tickets?”
    She nodded, so he looked at Ellis’s friends. The guy looked surprised, but the girl pointed toward the little park next to the theater. It was late enough the park would be empty of kids but early enough the older ones wouldn’t be there yet.
    Dale grabbed Ellis’s hand and tugged on it. Ellis yelped and tried to resist, but it was only for show. He didn’t put a lot of force in it, and Dale was able to drag him under the trees. They were in complete shadow, the closest lights a bit farther in the park, and the wind was playing in Ellis’s hair, making it fly all over the place.
    “What do you want, Dale?”
    “Why do you think I had something to do with what Mark did today?” Ellis shrugged but stayed silent. “Oh, no. You’re not allowed to sulk, not when you’re saying I had a part in it. Talk, Ellis. Now.”
    Ellis finally looked up. “Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?”
    “I thought I was a friend, or at least that I was becoming one, but I see you have a different opinion.”
    “How did Mark get my locker combination?”
    “I have no idea. Wait, you think I gave it to him? I don’t even know it!”
    “You saw me at my locker this morning. You stopped to say hi.”
    “That doesn’t mean I spied on you! I know we don’t know each other well, but I swear I had nothing to do with it. In fact, I want to talk to Mark and see if I can make him stop.”
    Ellis moved backward, and they both realized Dale was still holding Ellis’s hand. Ellis blushed and snatched his hand away, leaving Dale feeling oddly bereft. “No.”
    “No