The Best Friend Read Online Free

last summer, don’t you?”
    â€œWeight?” Lishia didn’t actually recall Gillian ever having a weight problem.
    â€œYeah, she’d put on about twenty pounds last spring, and I heard she used some kind of illegal diet drug, something like meth, to take it off. For all I know, she might still be using. That might explain her personality change. You know, why she’s gotten so mean.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œUh-huh. And there’s more. But it’s like Glassman is totally blind when it comes to Gillian.”
    â€œDo you really think it’s because of Gillian’s mom?”
    â€œIt’s the only thing that makes sense.”
    â€œBut that’s not fair.”
    â€œI know.” Riley growled as she hit her fist against the steering wheel. “I wish there was something I could do about it.”
    â€œI suppose you can’t exactly go to Coach Glassman,” Lishia began thoughtfully. “But maybe you could take it to someone higher than her.”
    Riley nodded with an interested expression. “I could do that, couldn’t I?”
    â€œIn fact, it seems like it would be your responsibility to let someone know what’s up. I mean, for the good of the whole team. It’s not right that everyone is pulled down to a lower standard just because Gillian’s mom has some inside connection to the coach. And if she’s doing drugs . . .” Lishia shook her head. “Well, that’s not just wrong, it’s dangerous.”
    â€œYou’re right. If Gillian messed up a throw or a pyramid, someone could fall and get hurt.”
    That wasn’t exactly what Lishia meant by dangerous, since she was thinking more about Gillian’s own health, but it was a good point all the same. Riley turned onto Lishia’s street, and Lishia tried not to show her pleasure that Riley even remembered where she lived. It had been several years.
    â€œI’d love to blow the whistle on Gillian, but I don’t want to come across as tattling. Especially with the whole thing with Dayton, you know? Someone might think I was trying to get back at her and not take me seriously.”
    â€œThat is awkward.” Lishia nodded. “Maybe you could do it anonymously.”
    â€œMaybe . . .” Riley turned to Lishia as she stopped at a stop sign. Her eyes lit up as if she had an idea. “Or maybe . . . what if you did it? You could tell on her and no one would suspect your motives.”
    â€œMe?” Suddenly Lishia was worried. She had no intention of getting involved in something like this. Being a friend was one thing. Turning into an informer was something else.
    â€œSure. You could make an appointment with Mrs. Valmer and tell her everything.”
    Lishia took in a quick breath. “But what would I say? How would I explain why I was doing this?”
    â€œI can tell you exactly what to say—and how to say it. I have all the information we need.”
    â€œBut wouldn’t they wonder how I knew about all this? I mean, I’m not even friends with Gillian. How would I have any credibility?”
    â€œYou’d just tell her that you’re my best friend and that you’ve observed some things that are disturbing and that you felt someone needed to say something. You know, in a really innocent sort of way.” She grinned. “If anyone has an honest face, Lishia, it’s you. Plus, everyone knows you’re one of the goody-two-shoes girls. No offense. I meant that as a compliment.” She chuckled as if she wasn’t really sure.
    Lishia felt slightly flattered and slightly insulted. She liked the idea of being Riley’s best friend, but the rest of it was a little disturbing. “I don’t know, Riley. I mean, telling the vice principal a secondhand report about Gillian seems a little, well, dishonest.”
    â€œIt figures you’d act like that.” Riley scowled. “I