Panic by Sharon M. Draper

stretching out on her bed.
    â€œNothing. And it’s driving me bananas. My dad said the police think Diamond might have run away,” Mercedes told her.
    â€œNo way. No way. Diamond would never do that. Now if you hear of me running away from my crazy mother, you better check the homeless shelters and parks. I might be under a bench!”
    Mercedes laughed, then asked, “Are you hanging with Donovan tonight?”
    â€œNo, I sent him home. Too much drama for one night.”
    â€œYeah, that dude does seem to bring it with him.”
    â€œAw, girl, you just never get to see his sweet side. When we’re alone, he’s like a cuddly puppy.” Layla wouldn’t let herself think about the marks on her arm.
    â€œHe seems more like a pit bull to me.”
    â€œSee what I mean? You gotta see it from my point of view. Donny is there for me when nobody else is around. He makes my heart beat fast when I just look at him. Plus, his ride is so tight. He let me drive it the other night. Whoa, that engine’s got power!” Layla wanted her friend to understand, but she found it hard to put it all into words.
    Mercedes wasn’t getting it. “I think he loves that car more than you. You could do better. You know that, don’t you?”
    Layla fluffed her pillows behind her head. “How can I do better when I already have the best?”
    â€œOkay, he’s gorgeous. I give you that, but he’s always got that frown on his face, like he’s angry, like he’s ready to bite somebody.”
    â€œIt’s just an act.” Layla paused and touched her arm. “Look, he could be with any girl in school, but he chose me ! I’m pretty lucky.”
    â€œYou’ve got it backward, Layla. He should feel lucky have you .”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œLook. Steve tells me all the time how great it is to be with me .” Mercedes said. “He tells me that all the time.”
    â€œDid Steve tattoo your name on his arm?”
    â€œHe didn’t have to; I don’t need all that to know he cares about me.”
    â€œDonny paid a lot of money for that tattoo. If I had some cash, I’d surprise him and have his name inked right over my heart. Maybe I can do that for his birthday,” Layla mused.
    Mercedes’ sigh from her end of the phone was explosive. “Don’t you dare! Miss Ginger would have a cow!”
    â€œWell, maybe I’ll get the tat where Miss Ginger can’t see it!” Layla replied.
    â€œWhat if he breaks up with you?”
    â€œThat’s never gonna happen.”
    â€œBe for real. This is high school. Everybody breaks up.”
    â€œNot me and Donny. Not if I keep him happy.”
    â€œThat’s the dumbest thing I ever heard, Layla,” Mercedes practically shouted.
    â€œAren’t you scared of losing Steve? Don’t you work hard to keep him?”
    â€œHah! Steve works hard to keep me !”
    Layla shifted the phone to her other ear. “I’m just sayin’ . . . ” She could feel herself getting annoyed, andMercedes must have sensed it, because she changed the subject.
    â€œHey, I meant to tell you—congratulations on getting the part of Wendy in the show.”
    Layla grinned. “Thanks. I can hardly believe it! I was sure Miss Ginger would choose Diamond.”
    â€œI think Diamond was a little bummed,” Mercedes confided.
    â€œHey, you think that had something to do with why she ran off to be in the real movie version of Peter Pan ?” Layla asked. “ ’Cause I’d rather she had the lead if that had anything to do with it. I don’t deserve such a big part.”
    Mercedes gave an exasperated sigh. “Layla! Quit dissin’ yourself. You’re a great dancer, and you’ll rock that role.” Then she added slyly, “Plus, you get lots of cool dances with Justin.”
    â€œSo what? Justin is just a dude who can