Gone Too Far Read Online Free Page B

she says.
    â€œI’m here now, so what’s the big deal?”
    â€œCome look for yourself,” Manny says.
    I walk around Tacey to the computer where he’s sitting. At first it’s nothing new—our student website with the Claireville banner across the top and student pictures scrolling down both sides. But then I see the video playing in the box where our upcoming events slide show usually plays. I step in a little closer, trying to focus on the rhythmic motion and the grainy room. I can’t quite figure out what’s going on.
    And then I do.
    Heat flares up my neck, my mind suddenly blank. “Um, is that what I think it is?”
    â€œIf you think it’s naked people in the middle of—”
    I put my hand up to cut him off. “Okay, I’ve got it. Why is it on our website?”
    He shrugs, so I look past him to another computer, where Connor is clacking away, Hadley sitting beside him, beautiful despite her obvious agony.
    In my peripheral vision, I can still see bits of the video. A pair of legs. A nondescript footboard. Long, red hair.
    The blood drains out of me so fast I grip the back of the chair in front of me before I turn around. Away from the screen. “This is Stella DuBois’s tape.”
    Everyone in the room stares at me.
    The way Tacey moves in—quick and light—makes me think of hungry wolves. “You already knew about this?”
    â€œYeah,” I say, then wave. “I mean, not about it being up here, but I heard about the tape.”
    Manny, Connor, and Tacey all seem surprised. I think Hadley’s too miserable about this to care. She’s chewing her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood.
    My eyes drift to the screen and my insides go squirmy. I know some part of me is halfway watching this mess. The photographer in me can’t help but to notice the strange angle. It’s contrived. Stella’s on display, but the guy is off camera. It doesn’t feel accidental.
    Tacey answers her phone and stalks from the room, and Manny looks at Connor. “Think you can clean up the resolution?” he asks.
    â€œYou realize I’m busy doing something valid here, right?” Connor says. “Feel free to get off your duff and help at any time.”
    â€œThis one’s beyond my skills.” Manny stretches. “But I’d like to figure out who this guy is. He seems awfully careful to keep himself out of frame, if you get my drift.”
    I move closer to him, a little because I’m backing his cause and a little because this might be less horrible if I’m standing next to my best friend.
    He drops his voice so it’s just for me. “This is really bothering you.”
    â€œYou sure you can’t make it go away?” I say, gesturing weakly at the screen. I know he hates messing with computers, but he is good at it.
    â€œSorry, Pi. Wish I could. But you know this school. This will be old news by tomorrow. Don’t let it freak you.”
    I tug the back of his sweatshirt, so he knows I appreciate him trying.
    â€œGive me a minute. I might be able to get the password from the keypass file,” Connor says. He might as well be speaking Greek, but I trust him. Connor will probably wind up at MIT or something. But despite the geek-smarts, he’s gorgeous and athletic enough to make any of the varsity teams. He and his girlfriend Hadley are kind of above all that though.
    â€œIt’s not in there,” Connor says. “What’s taking her so long?”
    Tacey opens the door again, with our technology advisor, Ms. Collins, walking behind her. Tacey gestures at the thin woman beside her. “Did someone ask for a password?”
    â€œConnor?” Ms. Collins says, holding out a Post-it note with a shaking hand.
    â€œWhat kind of idiot decided you shouldn’t have that password?” Manny asks.
    â€œThe kind of idiot who knows what I can do with it,” Connor says