Also Known As by Robin Benway Read Free Book Online Page B

“And apparently he ditches a lot, so if you want me to meet him, then I guess I’m going to have to start smoking really bad weed in some back alley with all the other delinquents, or whatever it is that he does!” I sighed and shoved my hair out of my face. Stupid bangs. “This is difficult, okay? It requires a little precision. I’m safecracking a person . I gotta figure out the code before I’m in.”
    “Honey, we need to get this information as soon as possible—”
    “I know!” I cried. “You think I don’t know that? I’m very aware that this whole thing is on me , thank you very much.”
    “Margaret.”
    “Sorry,” I said immediately. “Look, I can do this. I can do this better than anyone because I am a spy, okay? I am a great spy and—and something is licking me.”
    There was a definite wetness on my calf and I glanced down to see a huge, shaggy golden retriever pushing his nose against my leg, then giving me a big doggie grin. I had seen this dog somewhere before, and I looked from the dog to his leash to his very cute owner.
    Oh, no , I suddenly realized, my heartbeat flying into overdrive. Oh no, oh no, oh no .
    “So,” Jesse Oliver said, “what’s this about being a great spy?”
    “Maggie?” my mother chirped on the other hand. “What exactly is licking you?”
    “Bye,” I said, then pressed the END button as fast as possible. Jesse was still standing there; his dog was lying down, still giving me the doggie smile. “Um, do you always eavesdrop?” I asked. “It’s rude.”
    He shrugged. “Do you always talk on your phone while surrounded by strangers?”
    Why did he have to be so fast with a retort? I tried to think even faster. “I’m not telling you what I do,” I said.
    He raised an eyebrow. “Is that because you’re …” He leaned in for greater emphasis, and why, oh why, did he have to have such nice, soft-looking skin? “… a spy?”
    “I was talking,” I said huffily, “about a Halloween costume . Yes. A Halloween costume. That will be the best one ever. Yes.” I had no idea what I was saying. Halloween was still a month away, and the last time I dressed up, I was four and trick-or-treated at exactly one house: Angelo’s. (He gave me a full-size Snickers bar and a diary with a little lock and key. It was awesome.)
    But that was then, this was now, and I had to get in the game.
    “My friend Roux is having a Halloween party,” I continued, like I hadn’t just met Roux six hours ago. “Costumes are very important.”
    “Roux?” Jesse repeated. “She’s having a party?”
    “You know her?” I pretended to play dumb and twirled a lock of my hair for good measure.
    “How many Rouxs do you think there are?”
    “The one I know is the only one that matters.” My hair was starting to get tangled around my finger and it was hurting. I let it go and it spiraled out into a snarl. Wonderful .
    Jesse snorted, which was really not an attractive quality for him. “You’ll probably be the only person at the party. So, you go to Harper?”
    “Maybe,” I replied. “Where do you go?”
    “Harper.” He extended his hand and his stupidly adorable golden retriever leaped toward him, like he was expecting a treat. “I’m Jesse. This is Max.”
    “Hi. Hi, Max,” I added for good measure. Max appeared to have an out-of-control drooling problem, and I took a step back as he came toward me.
    “What, you don’t like dogs?” Jesse asked.
    “I like dogs. I don’t like saliva. Are you sure he’s not going to dehydrate?”
    “So you’re new at Harper?”
    “You ask a lot of questions,” I pointed out.
    “Well, you’re answering them, so …” He shrugged.
    “Yes, I’m new at Harper.” Pull. It. Together. Maggie . “I’m a junior. I didn’t see you around school today. Where do you ditch?”
    Jesse gave me a real smile for the first time. “Here and there.”
    “Is it easy to get off campus?”
    “Not really, no. You have to want it.”
    “Oh, I