RILEY

On Saturday, we shoot on location at the city square in the Heights. We all pile into Caleb’s old VW camper, with a group of extras following in the car behind, and set up in the park. Dez and I used to come down here with our families when we were kids. In the center of the park, under the clock tower, there used to be concerts. Flowers hung in baskets on the fence posts, and the grass was covered in a rainbow of blankets with people picnicking and listening to music.

Now the park is covered in weeds. Leaves have fallen and nobody’s bothered to clean them up. The clock stays permanently frozen at 10:20 because there’s no money to fix it.

“Wait in here, Rye,” Dez says when I try to get out of the camper to help. “You’re the star, remember?” He winks.

I try to smile back, but the papers I found in Ms. Dunn’s photo frame weigh on my mind. They’re in my bag right now and I so want to show them to Dez, but something won’t let me.

I need more information before I bring Dez into this.

The square is quiet. It used to be buzzing with people doing their shopping and dropping kids at the fields for soccer practice. Today there are only a few residents eating at the local greasy spoon. Inside the diner, I can see the Devlins. The happy family is having breakfast together. With Coach K.

Figures.

Dez moves over to see what I’m looking at.

“I should’ve known,” I tell him.

“What?” he asks.

“The reason Coach K never says anything to Tori when she calls me a dyke.”

“What do you mean? He’s actually heard her say that?”

Sometimes Dez can be so naive. “Oh yeah,” I say. “He’s even made a few cracks himself.”

“He what?!” Dez’s face turns red.

I can’t believe I never told him this. “He makes jokes all the time, but I just chalked it up to his redneck nature. I didn’t realize how tight he was with the Devlins.”

I start to wonder just how many teachers Tori’s dad has in his back pocket.

Dez takes out his camera and starts shooting the scene in the diner.

“Dez.” I motion for him to put the camera down. “What are you doing?”

“Just getting some b-roll. You never know when you’ll need it.”

Exactly, I think, making sure the DVD of Libby in Ms. Dunn’s room is still safe in my bag.

On Monday, I see Tori in the school garden, getting everything in place for the dedication. There’s a new tree there, and the plaque to honor Ms. Dunn. Tori is actually weeding the neglected beds.

It’s the perfect opportunity to make the first move. Especially since last week I overheard her talking to the Rollers about her church project …

“I have to help someone with their testimony and I’m running out of time,” Tori said in her usual bitchy way. “Dad wants me to make a big deal of it at church—have me show how I helped some poor lost soul find God and change their life.”

“It’s not like you haven’t been looking, Tori,” Natalie said. “I’m sure your dad will understand.”

“You are such a moron sometimes,” Tori hissed. “Have you met my dad?”

“Well, there’s always Will,” Paige offered. “I’m sure your dad would be impressed if you helped the
biggest drug dealer of the school find the Lord.”

“Okay, there’s one. I need a few more options.”

“What about Emma?” Natalie asked, trying to redeem herself.

Tori nodded.

The Rollers volunteered a few more names and Tori created her list.

I hadn’t really thought about that conversation until after Devlin chased us on Friday night. It was then that I realized what I have to do. I need to get close to Tori—and the Degas statue—and what better way than to become her new pet project? Surely she’d jump at the chance to save a sinner like me.

I take a few steps into the garden, toward Tori. “Here.” I grab the pile of weeds and throw them in the trash bag. “Let me help.”

“My, that’s awfully Christian of you, Riley.”

“Yeah, well, this might surprise you, but I’m a Christian. I was raised Lutheran, Tori. Even confirmed.”

“Really?” she asks, genuinely surprised. “I never would’ve guessed, especially considering your … choices.”

Choices. I ignore the fire igniting in my belly and keep a smile on my face. Yes, of course I chose to become the pariah of the school. Who wouldn’t?

“Yeah, it’s complicated,” I say, trying to unclench my jaw.

“No, Riley, it’s quite simple,” she says in her most pious voice. “Leviticus 20:13: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. The Bible is perfectly clear on the matter.”

“Maybe. But haven’t you also heard, the heart wants what it wants ?”

“Let me guess—a quote from a movie? You film club people are so weird.” She rolls her eyes.

“Emily Dickinson, actually.” I grab a rake. “Seriously, though, I meant it the other day when I said I was going to make a change. I’m done with girls. Now, do you want my help with this garden or not?”

If I pull this off, I should win an Oscar.

“I could use it,” she says, wiping sweat off her otherwise perfectly made-up face. “If this isn’t perfect for the ceremony, my dad will have a fit.”

“Okay, I’m in.”