Sammy Keyes and the Power of Justice Jack by Wendelin Van Draanen Page B

I say, “See, I don’t buy that.”
    “You don’t
have
to buy that,” he tells me, and from the glint of anger in his eyes I know I’m right—the new Danny is just a spit-shined version of the old Danny.
    “So you’ve contacted Billy and Casey and all your other old friends, too?”
    “Who I want to have back as friends is none of your business.” Then he just can’t help himself. He smirks and says, “I can tell you this, though—you’re not on the list.”
    “But Marissa is, not because you actually
like
her, but because it’s just been a shock to your system that she’s not your groupie anymore.”
    Marissa gasps, “Sammy!” and she’s looking horrified—like I just ripped the head off a bunny.
    Danny looks at Marissa. “What is this?”
    Marissa cries, “Sorry!”
    “Well, what? Do I need her permission to talk to you?”
    “No!”
    “Good.” He gives me a hard look, then turns to Marissa. “I’ll call you,” he says, in a just-me-and-you-baby way. But as he opens the door and goes inside, I get a glimpse of someone moving quickly out of view.
    Someone I recognize.

TWELVE
    Before I can even think about what I’m doing, I jab my foot forward and stop the door from closing.
    From inside I hear Danny mutter, “What the—” as Marissa gasps, “What are you
doing
?”
    I turn to her. “Heather’s in there.”
    Marissa goes pale. “She’s not!”
    Danny body-blocks the opening in the doorway and looks down at my foot. “Come on. Really?”
    I look him right in the eye. “So why’s Heather here?”
    “Heather’s n—”
    The door whips open and there she is, wearing way too much makeup and her usual sneer. “You got a problem with that, loser?”
    Marissa stands there with her jaw on the ground while Danny pinches his eyes closed, then scrambles to explain. “Look, I’ve been through some really bad times and I’m trying to build my friendships back.”
    I snort. “By telling the truth and going to church and … what else? Oh, right,
changing
.”
    He looks at Marissa and points to me. “Why did youbring her? I know you and Heather don’t get along, but did you ever think that
she’s
the reason?”
    “Let’s go,” I tell Marissa, and as I start to turn around, Danny taps his chest twice and does a little sweep of his hand toward Marissa.
    Like, My heart beats just for you, baby.
    He’s sly about it, too.
    So Heather can’t see.
    I drag Marissa out of there, and when we’re on the sidewalk, I say, “See? He hasn’t changed a bit.”
    But instead of thanking me for exposing Danny for the snake he is, she snaps, “Why did you have to act like that?”
    I stop dead in my tracks. “That was Heather back there. Heather! He was too busy to go to church because he was with
Heather
.”
    “You don’t know that!” she calls over her shoulder as she keeps marching along. “You’re judging and jumping to conclusions!”
    “I’ve got eyes! Open yours!”
    “They are open!” she shouts back. “And I’m seeing a friend whose mind is closed!”
    “Marissa, he
lied
to you. He said he didn’t go to church because he wasn’t feeling well and overslept.… Come on!”
    “Maybe he did! You weren’t there! How would you know?”
    “And he was about to deny that Heather was there, but she blew it for him.”
    “You don’t
know
that!” she shouts back. “Maybe hewas going to say, ‘Heather’s none of your concern’ or ‘Heather’s not your business’!”
    “Get real! He was about to say, ‘Heather’s not here!’ ”
    “See? Judgmental!”
    She’s nearly half a block away and obviously not waiting for me. So I run to catch up with her. “Marissa, can’t you see he’s manipulating you?”
    She gives me a detached look. “Or maybe
you’re
the one manipulating me.”
    “Oh, and I’m the reason you and Heather aren’t friends?” I throw my hands in the air. “Fine. Go ahead. Be her friend. Don’t let me stop you.” And, really, I just feel like