Still Point by Katie Kacvinsky Read Free Book Online

stalling.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.
    â€œI saw one of your messages,” I told her. “From Riley. How do you know Riley?”
    I looked over and saw my mom and Mrs. Thompson coming out the stage-door entrance. I didn’t have much time. Becky’s eyes focused on mine, wide with fear that I had discovered her. I knew I was right. I pressed harder.
    â€œWas it just a coincidence that you got up a few minutes before the video started?” I asked her. “There aren’t any other DS protesters in here. It had to be you.” Her eyes flickered between me and the guard.
    â€œDid you tell her, Ryan?” she grumbled at him, but he shook his head. I raised my eyebrows. So she definitely was in on this.
    â€œYou helped set this up, didn’t you?”
    I watched her and waited. Her dark eyes cautiously settled on mine, still contemplating what to confess. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that it was her. It made sense. Damon was almost as controlling as my dad. Usually that encourages at least one kid in the family to start asking questions.
    I nodded to the phone in her hand. “Your screen saver is of a rock stack in the ocean,” I added. “I recognized it. That rock stack is in Eden.”
    Her eyes lit up. “You’ve been there?”
    I nodded.
    â€œRiley told me about it. It sounds like—”
    â€œSo, you
are
friends with Riley.”
    Her face flushed. “We’re a little more than friends.”
    I smiled. I could see it. It’s amazing what people don’t have to say, what you’re capable of seeing from their reactions. I loved that about being face-to-face. Those small, intimate reactions. You could read people. Their eyes were chapters and their faces were books. Their expressions were stories. It always fascinated me.
    â€œAre you going to rat on me?” she asked.
    â€œDo I look like I would?” I asked. I glanced over and saw my mom and Mrs. Thompson heading toward our table.
    â€œYou’re probably going to be blamed for this,” she pointed out.
    â€œTrue. Then I guess you owe me a favor,” I said.
    â€œWhat?” she asked, her voice wavering.
    â€œYou can help me get in contact with people,” I said. “I need you to come over to my house this week.”
    She laughed. “No offense, but I’m not allowed to hang out with you.”
    I tapped my fingers on the table and smiled. She wasn’t going to get out of it that easily. “You obviously know how to sneak around your parents, if you helped set this up. I’m not allowed to leave my house. But if I’m with you, my parents might let me go. They trust your family.”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said, stalling again.
    â€œIf you don’t want to, that’s fine, but I’d hate to have to tell my mom what happened.”
    Becky glanced up just as our moms arrived at the table. My mom still looked startled by the events. She sat down on the other side of Ryan and took a sip of white wine. Mrs. Thompson remained standing, and I looked up at her. Her back was straight and tight, and her hands gripped the silky black fabric at her waist.
    â€œLet’s go, Becky,” she said quickly. Becky stared at her, her eyes widening.
    â€œIs something wrong?” she asked, worried that she was caught. She was completely obvious, I thought. More doubt than confidence. I seemed to be the only one who noticed. It’s amazing what people allow themselves to be blind to.
    â€œI’m sorry, Jane,” Mrs. Thompson said to my mom. “But I’m not going to sit here when this entire night was ruined by your daughter,” she said. “I respect you and Kevin, but I truly feel sorry for you. This girl should be locked behind bars. Take one good look at her. She’s out of control.” With that, she turned and walked away. Becky slid out of her chair and