What If... All Your Friends Turned On You by Liz Ruckdeschel Read Free Book Online Page B

rubbing Devon’s hand and popping her gum, completely ignoring the screen, while Devon stared up at the movie in a kind of spaced-out trance.
    When the film ended, Darcy sprang to her feet and announced, “Thank God that’s over. Let’s get out of here.”
    Devon frowned.
    â€œWow, that was so intense. I think I’ve … I should visit the restroom and collect my thoughts,” Haley said pensively. Devon nodded as if he understood. “I’ll meet you in the lobby,” she said, heading for the ladies’ room alone. However, when she came out of the stall to wash her hands, she found Darcy by the sinks reapplying her blue eyeliner.
    â€œThanks for inviting us to the movie,” Darcy said. “Even though it sucked.”
    â€œSorry you didn’t like it,” Haley said.
    â€œI don’t know what you think you’re trying to pull,” Darcy said. “But it didn’t work. And it never will.”
    â€œI wasn’t trying to pull anything,” Haley said, her hackles up.
    â€œIt’s sad, really. I feel sorry for you, Haley. Deeply sorry.”
    â€œSorry for me?” Haley said. “Why?”
    Darcy didn’t look away from the mirror, but kept slathering on eyeliner. “It’s so obvious how much you like Devon. Like, it couldn’t be more obvious. But it’s just as obvious that he only likes you as a friend. You’d have to be totally delusional not to see it.”
    Haley was stunned. How could this girl speak so bluntly to her? Darcy was calling her delusional?
    â€œYou’re the delusional one,” Haley said, struggling to keep her voice from cracking. “If you think someone as shallow as you will ever be able to keep Devon’s interest for longer than a nanosecond.”
    Darcy laughed. “You’re crazy. He’s totally into me. You’re just some homely classmate.”
    Homely?
That was it. The gloves were off.
    â€œWe’ll see about that,” Haley said, glaring at her opponent.
    â€œYeah, we will.” Darcy flounced out of the bathroom. Haley stayed by the sink for another minute composing herself. When she came out and looked for Devon and Darcy they were gone.
    So that’s how it is
, Haley thought. She gritted her teeth as she walked home in the cold. Now she saw Darcy for who she really was: a fierce competitor for Devon’s affections.
    She’d better be ready
, Haley thought.
Because I’m not going to give up without a fight
.
    It’s on.

    So Darcy’s dark side has come out—in all its Technicolor glory. Haley’s all worked up at the moment, but will the feeling last? Once she has time to mull things over, will she still want to head into an all-out war with the bleached blond frosh?
    If you think this nasty little bathroom run-in has fired Haley up for good, have her rise to the challenge and compete for Devon’s heart, FORMIDABLE OPPONENT .
    There are other things going on in Haley’s life, though—a lot of other things. One of the biggest events in her life is her upcoming driver’s test, and the possibility of that car her parents mentioned on New Year’s. Haley won’t pass the test unless she practices, and to practice she needs to focus on driving, not boy troubles and catfights. If you’re sure Haley cares more about getting her license than beating Darcy at her own game, go to, DRIVING PRACTICE .
    Finally, all this drama is enough to make a girl’s head spin. To have Haley just head home to clear her head before deciding what to do next, go to, ON THE SCALE .
    Haley’s got a lot on her plate right now. It’s up to you to help her decide what’s important and keep her priorities straight .

VON-METZGER
    A happy occasion for some can be brutally painful for others.
    H aley arrived at the Von-Metzger household to find the festivities in full swing under a makeshift tent in the backyard. Rick Von, art