Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman Read Free Book Online Page B

hops up and down on the balls of her toes in a gesture that’s reminiscent of Grace. “Emily, I think I’m gonna go for him. I think I like him.” When I don’t say anything, she adds, “I’m pretty sure he likes me, too.”
    “Really?” I feel a twinge of something I don’t quite recognize at first—then I realize it’s annoyance. “Are you sure he wasn’t just being nice?”
    She shakes her head. “There was more to it than that. He seemed interested in everything I had to say.” She pretends to shiver. “He’s so smart, I can’t stand it. It’s amazing.”
    “ And then they sent me away? ” Renee raises a single eyebrow. “He’s, like, a mystery . Plus he’s sexy.” But then she shrugs. “Lots of guys are sexy, though. Big deal.”
    I don’t know what I’m doing in here, I really don’t. It’s just before dinnertime. Franny is asleep, taking her usual after-school nap. Grace is at cross-country practice. Renee and I are part of only a handful of students who don’t play a fall sport. It was actually my dad’s idea; he prefers that I stay focused on studying, even though it never seems to do me any good. As a joke, my roommates call me a bookworm. But I’m naturally skinny, and lord knows Renee always looks ready to strut down a runway … so what would be the point in exercising? Better to just enjoy being young, I figure. Besides, it’s not like there’s any sport that I’m particularly good at. All I have is singing, and I can do that all by myself, anytime I need to get away. I just close my eyes, open my mouth … and forget about the rest of the world.
    I’m still thinking about Ethan’s offer to sing in his band. I have to admit, there’s a part of me that’s genuinely intrigued by the idea. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before, and would be an exciting change from the day-to-day routine that I’ve gotten so used to over the years. Besides, the thought of spending more time with Ethan isn’t exactly unappealing.
    But when I told Stephanie about it, she only rolled her eyes. “Ethan and that stupid band,” she said. “Emily, you can’t. He’s got too much going on as it is, between school and baseball and being a prefect—not to mention all of the crap that’s going on with our parents. You can’t drag him into a band .”
    “But he asked me ,” I said. “I’m not dragging him into anything. If I don’t do it, he’ll just find someone else, won’t he?”
    “I don’t know,” she said, “but you shouldn’t encourage him.” And she smirked at me. “Besides, you’re too shy to do something like that. You’d die onstage.”
    After that, she didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Maybe she’s right; I am shy. Maybe I’d just end up making a fool of myself. Still, I can’t stop thinking about Ethan’s words a few nights earlier: I don’t know if I want to do it without you. Why not without me? What does he see in me that I can’t see in myself?
    Right now, though, I’m in Renee’s room, talking about Del and not much else. Over the past week, Renee and I have had brief conversations here and there. I can’t help it; since our first real talk, I’ve been fascinated by her. And it turns out she’s easy to talk to. At least, most of the time. Right now, Hillary is lying on her own bed—she doesn’t play a sport, either—propped up on one arm, glaring at both of us. The duct tape still runs down the center of the room. Renee’s half is still a mess. I don’t remember being in her room much when Madeline was here, but she must have kept things nicer; Madeline was a neat freak.
    Throughout our conversation, I’ve been tempted to suggest that we go to my room and leave poor Hillary, who’s obviously annoyed by us, alone. But it is kind of thrilling to know how much we’re irritating her, to see that Renee obviously doesn’t care. Besides, even though she’s pretending to be agitated, it’s obvious that Hillary is just as curious about