The Best Friend Read Online Free Page A

thought I could trust you.”
    â€œYou can trust me. It’s just that I don’t want to—”
    â€œOh, forget the whole thing.” Riley turned abruptly into Lishia’s driveway, bouncing the tires over the side of the curb. “I don’t know what made me think you’d care enough about me to help me do—”
    â€œNo, that’s not it,” Lishia interrupted. “I do care about you. And I’d like to help you. It’s just that I’m trying to wrap my head around this whole idea. I mean, I did see Gillian treating you badly today. That seemed really wrong. But I haven’t actually seen anything else. At least not enough to make a complaint to the vice principal.”
    â€œNever mind.” Riley gave Lishia an exasperated look. “Sorry I even asked.”
    â€œDon’t be so quick to give up on me,” Lishia reassured her. “I need to think about this. I need to find out more about Gillian and what she’s doing.”
    â€œI can help you gather some evidence,” Riley said eagerly. “It shouldn’t be hard to do.” She gave Lishia a mischievous smile. “And there’s something else you should probably know.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI really shouldn’t tell you.”
    â€œCome on,” Lishia urged, suddenly curious.
    â€œI’d have to swear you to total secrecy.”
    â€œYou can trust me.”
    â€œOkay. No one is supposed to know this, and I would get in serious trouble if Glassman knew that I peeked into her computer.” She pressed her lips together tightly as if reconsidering this disclosure.
    â€œWhat?” Lishia urged.
    â€œDo you swear you won’t tell a soul?”
    Lishia nodded.
    â€œWell, guess who the first alternate cheerleader is this year?”
    Lishia shrugged. “I have no idea.”
    Riley smiled slyly. “You.”
    â€œOh.” Lishia was completely surprised but didn’t want to show it. “Really?”
    â€œBut everyone thinks it’s Michelle Parkington.”
    â€œThat would’ve been my guess.”
    â€œWell, that would be a disaster.”
    Lishia frowned. “Why’s that?”
    â€œBecause Michelle is a total mess. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t even have a chance anymore. Everyone knows she’s fallen in with the wrong crowd. I’ll bet she can’t even pass a drug test these days. Not to mention alcohol. She’s even come to school drunk before, and she was suspended once. So, really, she’s out.”
    Lishia actually felt sorry for Michelle. She knew her parents had divorced last year, and she’d probably been even more disappointed than Lishia had been not to make cheerleader, especially after trying so hard.
    â€œHey, that gives me an idea!” Riley’s eyes lit up.
    â€œWhat?” Lishia was starting to feel overwhelmed with all of Riley’s ideas.
    â€œHow about if I start teaching you the routines?”
    â€œHuh?” Lishia felt confused. “Why?”
    â€œSo you’ll be all ready to take Gillian’s place after she gets placed on suspension. You can step in and act like you’re learning them, but everyone will be amazed at how quickly you catch on.” Riley laughed.
    â€œYou don’t really think that I’d take Gillian’s—”
    â€œIt could happen, Lishia. And if it does, don’t you want to be ready?”
    â€œI, uh, I don’t know. This seems kinda crazy to—”
    â€œThink about it, Lishia. We’d be cheerleaders together again. Wouldn’t that be totally awesome?”
    â€œBut it’s such a—”
    â€œCome on.” Riley narrowed her eyes. “Don’t be such a wet blanket. Do you fully understand what I’m saying right now? What I’m offering you?”
    Lishia felt slightly dizzy as she gripped the door handle. How did their casual conversation in the cafeteria ever