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Knight’s Action.”
    â€œI haven’t been there. Is it nice?”
    â€œYeah. How about Friday?”
    â€œI’m free on Friday,” she said, “but what about Gloria?”
    â€œI already told you. That’s over.”
    She removed the sunglasses before turning to face him. “She’s so popular, though.”
    Coley nodded. “That’s good for her, then. She’ll land on her feet.”
    â€œBut I have to be sure,” said Bree.
    â€œYou can be sure. Just trust what I’m tellin’ you.”
    Bree’s house was a modest Cape Cod on the east side of Yale Boulevard. She stood on the porch waving good-bye to him as he pulled away from the curb. The wind blew her hair and her skirt. Not too far from where she stood, a curtain was pulling back along the edge of the large picture window, but Coley couldn’t see whose hand might be moving it.

Chapter Six
    The next time Ruthie Roth brought him a notice in the library, Coley was set to be annoyed. He was reading the sports section of the Tribune . “What is it now?”
    â€œYou mean we have to stop meeting like this? Is that what you’re saying?”
    â€œVery funny. What do you want?”
    Ruthie took the liberty of sitting in the closest chair, but she had to duck to avoid the wooden spindle on the spine of Coley’s newspaper.
    â€œMrs. Alvarez wants to see you in her office,” Ruthie informed him.
    The box next to immediately had a check mark. Underneath, Mrs. Alvarez’s signature was stamped in place. “I can see that,” Coley said. “What the hell does she want?”
    â€œHow would I know? That would have to be between you and her.”
    Coley couldn’t think what he might be in trouble for. His English midterm had come through; he wasn’t flunking anything. At least he didn’t think he was. Before he went to the office, he decided to ask Ruthie a favor. He asked her if she would help him with his values survey for human dynamics.
    â€œYou want me to help you with your homework.”
    She must have meant it as a question, even if it didn’t sound like one. So he said, “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œWhy should I mind? You’re always there for me, aren’t you?”
    â€œIf you’re going to be sarcastic, then I take it back. Don’t help me.”
    â€œEvery time you need a favor, usually one that has to do with some class that’s a problem for you, it’s time for us to be friends.”
    â€œOh, come on.”
    â€œAm I wrong, Coley?”
    â€œYou’re exaggerating.”
    â€œAm I really? It seems the last time you wanted to associate with me was sophomore year, when I spent two weeks as your tutor for geometry. You were flunking, remember?”
    He remembered. The fact he’d scraped by with a D was in no small part thanks to Ruthie. He probably would’ve flunked the final without the help. But he had to believe she was exaggerating. “Okay, forget I even asked.”
    â€œJust like that? I should forget?”
    Coley regretted he’d even brought it up. “You’ve got leftover makeup around your eyes. A little glitter, too, it looks like.”
    â€œIt’s theater makeup,” she replied.
    â€œWhy do you need makeup for rehearsals?”
    â€œI don’t. But I like to experiment. Is that okay with you?”
    Coley shrugged his shoulders. “If you want to look like a raccoon, it’s okay with me.” He took the newspaper back to the rack. When he returned, Ruthie stated, “Okay, I’ll help you. But on one condition: You have to come to my house.”
    If this was meant as a challenge, Coley couldn’t see it as one. “Fine.”
    â€œI may look like a raccoon, you never know.”
    â€œThat’s your call, Ruthie.”
    â€œI mean, I want you to be up front and visible about the fact that you’re not afraid to