The Best Friend Read Online Free Page B

extension on her desk, but she wasn’t quick enough. It stopped after thefirst ring. Her mother must have answered it downstairs.
    Leaning against the desk, Becka waited with the parka on to see if the call was for her. Sure enough, a few seconds later, her mother called up from the bottom of the stairs.
    â€œBecka, phone for you.” Mrs. Norwood’s voice revealed her disapproval. “It’s Bill. Why is he calling you, Becka? You know you’re not allowed to see him.”
    â€œI know, Mom,” Becka shouted down angrily. “Spare me the lectures, okay?”
    She picked up the phone, listened for her mother’s retreating footsteps, then said hello to Bill.
    â€œBill, hi. How’s it going?”
    â€œHi, Becka. I’m okay.” He sounded far away. There was a lot of interference. He must be calling from a pay phone, Becka decided. “Your mom didn’t sound too friendly,” he said.
    â€œShe was just surprised to hear you,” Becka lied.
    â€œShe never liked me much. I think it’s my pierced ear.”
    â€œShe’s used to that,” Becka told him. “Why are we talking about my mother?”
    He chuckled. “Beats me.” She loved his voice. It was soft and smooth. Musical. “Hey, can you meet me tonight?”
    â€œWhere?” Becka realized she was whispering even though her mother was nowhere near.
    â€œMeet me at the mall?”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Becka replied, hesitantly, thinking hard.
    How come? Because of your mom?”
    â€œAnd my dad,” Becka joked. “Don’t forget my dad. He doesn’t like you either.”
    â€œSo does that mean you’ll meet me?” Bill asked slyly.
    She loved his sense of humor. Even when things were going wrong for him and he found himself suspended from school and in deep trouble, he had still been able to make jokes about it.
    â€œNo. I’d better not,” Becka whispered. “I’d like to, but . . .”
    â€œIs that a yes?”
    â€œNo. I mean—”
    â€œSneak out,” he urged. “Wait till they’re asleep, and sneak out.”
    â€œBill, you know my parents stay up really late,” Becka replied, shaking her head. Suddenly she had an unpleasant thought. “Mom, are you listening in on the extension?” she asked loudly.
    She listened for the click of the downstairs phone being hung up, but there was none.
    â€œWhew.”
    â€œI thought you were going to talk to your parents,” Bill said, sounding hurt. “You know. Tell them what a good guy I am now.”
    â€œI’m going to,” Becka said, feeling guilty. “It just hasn’t been the right time.” And then she quickly added, “I’m sure they’ll understand. I’m sure they’ll give you another chance, Bill.”
    â€œYeah. Sure,” he muttered bitterly. “Are you going to sneak out and meet me tonight or not, Becka?”
    Becka hesitated. “I don’t think so. Not tonight,” she decided.
    â€œThat’s okay. I’m busy anyway,” Bill joked.
    She laughed. “Very funny.”
    â€œI am very funny,” he insisted.
    â€œYeah, funny looking.”
    â€œIs that your idea of a joke?”
    Becka heard her mother approaching the stairs. “I’ve got to go. Bye, Bill. See you.” She hung up quickly.
    She was halfway down the stairs, the heavy parka sailing out behind her, when her mother appeared in the hall. “What did Bill want?” she asked, frowning.
    â€œJust wanted to say hi,” Becka replied, stopping a few steps before the floor.
    â€œYou know how your dad and I feel about him, Becka.”
    â€œYeah. I know. But Bill is different now, Mom. He—”
    â€œEspecially after what happened to you, what you went through afterward.” Mrs. Norwood got that faraway look in her pale blue eyes, the look she always got when she was recalling