Chapter 15: Sophomore Year
“Thanks for the ride, Emily.” Katelyn rolled down her window after she jumped into Emily’s car. Instantly, the car cooled ten degrees with the release of the hot air inside. Emily started the car and cranked the air conditioning. School started in late August when the temperature was too miserable in Iowa to do much else. At least some of the rooms at the high school had air conditioning.
“Mom said she’ll give me some money, so I’ll get you gas money.”
“Great. I need it.” Emily waved at people as she left the parking lot. “Gosh, Katelyn, I hardly saw you this summer.”
“Yeah, um, work kept me busy.” Katelyn didn’t want to tell Emily that Tim didn’t like her or want Emily with them when they went out.
“Are you still with Tim?”
“Yeah, four months now.” Katelyn smiled slightly, proud to have a real boyfriend.
Emily grew quiet, but it only lasted for a few blocks. “Katelyn, I have to ask you ‘cause you know I have your back. Is Tim a dealer?”
Katelyn was shocked. “What?”
“A dealer. Drugs. Crank or Coke or something?”
“No,” Katelyn was offended. “Where’d you hear that?”
Emily sank back into an innocent role. “Well, Maci heard from someone that he was sent away for a drug problem, that he did time for something and that’s why he goes to the alternative school.” She didn’t stop and rambled on with the energy of a puppy set loose from a cage. “Maci said Jacob Litner had a party last week and, like, everyone was doing something, snortin’ or smokin’. I guess Tim was the one who hooked Jacob up. He wasn’t there, of course, but Maci said Todd burned and was all whacked out. She was so pissed. And, he told her that Tim hooked up all sorts of people at school.”
“She’s so full of shit.” Katelyn defended Tim, but she needed to think it through. “I thought you and Maci weren’t talking.”
Emily shrugged. “She’s not a close friend or anything, Jeez.” Emily pulled onto Katelyn’s street. “You should just watch out, right? I thought you’d want to know, that’s all.”
“Thanks, I guess. But, I can watch out for myself.” Katelyn opened her door before the car fully stopped in front of her house. She slammed her door without saying goodbye.
Emily didn’t pick her up the next morning.
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