Ella felt her heartbeat quicken. LaShante didn't like high school drama anymore than Ella did. Whatever was coming, it was worth talking about. Otherwise LaShante wouldn't have brought it up. "Something about Krissy or Jenny?"

"No." LaShante scowled. "About Jake. I heard it this week and I wanted to text you. But I thought ... I thought I'd wait until I could tell you in person."

"Okay." Ella felt herself relax. She didn't care about Jake anymore. There was almost nothing LaShante could tell her that would affect her night one way or the other. "Tell me."

"He's telling everyone that you and Holden ..." She hesitated, shadows in her eyes. Very little embarra.s.sed LaShante. Of all Ella's friends, she was the most outspoken. But here, her pretty brown eyes looked unsure about whether she could go on. "He's telling people you're hooking up with Holden." She raised her brow. "Like ... all the way, hooking up." She rolled her eyes. "So I feel terrible joking around about you and him. You know, on the way here."

A sick feeling slammed into Ella. "Why would he do that?" Ella looked out at the basketball floor. How could she ever have liked Jake Collins? The fact that he'd ever charmed her into thinking he was a good guy made her angry with herself. The Eagles were taking the court, pa.s.sing the ball around and taking practice shots, warming up for the second half. Even from her place in the stands, Ella could see the c.o.c.ky smile on Jake's face.

LaShante sighed, and the look on her face grew uncomfortable once again. "There's more."

Ella steeled herself. Whatever it was, she could trust LaShante. And if it meant she needed to tune out on the social scene at Fulton altogether, so be it. She'd already done that, anyway. LaShante and Holden were the only real friends she had-and graduation was only a semester away. Who cared about Jake?

Her friend crossed her arms and made a face. "He's got a bet going with Sam. Sometime before graduation, he'll sleep with you-one way or another. Otherwise he owes Sam a hundred bucks."

"A hundred bucks?" Ella wanted to throw up. Was that all she was worth to Jake and his boys? A hundred-dollar bet? Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "One way or another?"

"Yeah." Anger flashed in LaShante's eyes. "He said if Holden gets you ... he wants you too. Sounds like a threat to me." She jerked her thumb in the direction of the basketball court. "Like maybe you should tell the authorities."

Jake Collins forcing himself on her? In September, Ella would've laughed at the idea. But now... a shiver ran down her arms. She would keep her distance from him. If her mom was involved in her life, she'd go home tonight and tell her, first thing. But her mom didn't even know her. No, she'd have to look out for herself. She'd keep her distance and stick to spending time with Holden and-once in a while-with LaShante.

Ella was almost glad for another reason to stay away. The longer she was away from the popular crowd of kids, the more she could see the worst of them for what they were. c.o.c.ky, arrogant bullies. Between them they had a code of ethics that required mean, mocking behavior. They sat together at lunch and called out mean names to anyone who walked by-kids who were too short or too smart or too fat. Skinny kids like Michael and kids like Holden.

Ella watched the guys run up and down the floor, watched them sub in and out of the game and argue with the coach or the refs. Did any of them wish they could break free the way she had? Wish they could live their own lives and make their own social decisions without having to impress Jake or his guys? Ella had to think so.

Holden wasn't the only one locked up inside himself.

Ella didn't see Michael Schwartz until after the game, outside on the school's front courtyard. Ella and LaShante were talking with some of the other girls, hearing about a party later that night, when Michael exited from the school's main front doors. He might've been practicing with the school band, because he had his flute case tucked under his arm and he was headed for the bike racks on the edge of the parking lot.

"So Jake's been hitting on this ugly freshman girl." Krissy was more giggly than usual. Probably the drinking beforehand. "She'll be at the party, Ella. You should totally come, girl. I mean, then you could get Jake back to his senses."

"Yeah, he's your guy." Jenny put her hands on her hips. "You two need to figure things out before Christmas break."

"I don't like Jake." Ella was patient, but she wanted to leave. She kept part of her attention on Michael. He looked lonely, troubled. She thought about excusing herself from the girls and talking to him. She remembered to smile. "The freshman girl can have him."

"Have who?"

She felt someone behind her, and she turned in time to see a freshly showered Jake strutting up. Sam and Ryan were on either side. Ella wanted to scowl at the guys, but she stopped herself. Better to leave without a lot of drama. She met his eyes briefly. "Jake ... Sam ... Ryan."

Krissy bounced into the s.p.a.ce between them. "Good game, guys. The refs were terrible. You definitely should've won!"

"Yeah, that three-pointer was the bomb," Jenny giggled. "Right girls?"

"Yeah, you know it ... I was on tonight." Jake grinned-his arrogance like an impenetrable force around him. His eyes were on Ella, and her alone. "We'll get 'em next time."

Before the other girls could spout off another bit of empty praise, Sam nudged Jake hard in the arm. "Look," he motioned toward the parking lot. "There's that freak kid. Goth music boy, remember?"

A sick feeling started in Ella's stomach. "Leave him alone." She didn't say it loud or forcefully, but she said it.

"What's this?" Jake laughed-the mean sort of laugh that meant he was about to pick up steam. He kicked lightly nudged Ella's white tennis shoe with his own. "Don't tell me you have feelings for Queer Boy too? Him and Holden Harris?" He chuckled louder and shoved Sam's shoulder. "You hear that?" Sam sneered at Ella. "Coupla freaks."

Jake moved out from the crowd in Michael's direction. When he was twenty yards away, he shouted at Michael. "Hey Emo Boy ..."

Michael was bent over working on his bike lock, his flute case on the ground beside him. He must've been struggling with the combination, because it was taking too long. Once more Ella wanted to run and help him, but that wouldn't be good. Not with Jake and his gang watching.

"Didn't you hear me?" Jake's tone turned mean. Loud and mean. "What's the problem? Can't remember your combination?"

Other guys from the basketball team joined Jake, forming a group, laughing and chuckling quietly, approving his attack by their presence. "Freak," Jake yelled, "what're you doing here? Why weren't you at the game?"

"He had flute practice." Sam used a high-pitch mocking sort of voice. "Like all the gay kids."

"Hey," Ella stepped up to the guys and pushed Jake in the shoulder. "Shut up. Leave him alone."

Jake jerked away from Ella, ignoring her. "That's it, right?" he shouted, loud enough that other kids, average kids pa.s.sing by could hear every word. "You're gay, right? Just come out and say it, already. Guys who play the flute are gay."

Michael finally worked the lock open and pulled his bike free. He stood and stared at Jake, and for just a moment Ella thought the quiet kid might fight back. Anger flashed in his eyes, an anger they could see clearly in the light of the parking lot. But he must've realized he didn't stand a chance against Jake and his buddies, so he picked up his flute and climbed onto his bike, the case firm against his ribs.

"You see that?" Jake laughed out loud and looked at the other guys. "Emo Boy's a queer."

"Jake!" Ella pushed him again. "Stop it."

This time LaShante separated from the girls and joined her. "You're such a loser, you know that?" She spat the words. She snapped her fingers at him, her voice loud as she looked him up and down. "On and off the court."

LaShante's outburst broke up the moment. The guys stopped laughing and stood quietly, shifting and glancing nervously at each other. Shame fell over all of them, even Jake. Ella's protest might not have made much of an impact, but LaShante had their attention. She put her hands on her hips and glared at Jake, then Sam and the others. "You oughta' be ashamed of your sorry selves." With that she motioned to Ella. "We're done."

As they walked off, Ella caught a glimpse of Michael. He was riding away on his bike, one hand on the handlebars, the other tucked in around his flute case. He made his way into the crosswalk and turned left, probably toward his house or apartment. Wherever he lived.

"Idiots." LaShante was worked up. She walked fast toward the car. "Makes me want to catch up with that kid and offer him a ride. n.o.body should be treated like that."

"Wait!" Ella stopped, and then started again -moving faster than before. "That's a great idea. We could put his bike in the back."

They hurried to the car and left the parking lot quickly. Three blocks down the road they caught up to him, and a sense of desperate relief flooded Ella. It wasn't too late. They could still let the kid know someone cared. That she was sorry for Jake's behavior. She slowed her car at the next light and pushed a b.u.t.ton to roll down the window in her Acura MDX. LaShante did the talking, since Michael was riding up on that side of the car.

"Hey ..." She stuck her head out the window, her voice friendly. "Wanna ride?"

Michael looked almost alarmed. Ella leaned over and added her approval. "Really. We can throw your bike in the back."

Other cars gathered at the stoplight, so they didn't have long. If Michael wanted a ride, he'd have to say so. LaShante tried again. "Come on ... We can pull over."

Michael's eyes darted at the other cars, as if maybe he was looking for Jake and the guys in one of the vehicles. He shook his head, his eyes wide. "That's okay." Sweat beaded up on his forehead. "I got it. I don't live far."

"You sure?" LaShante sounded disappointed. "It's no trouble."

The light turned green and Michael started pedaling. "I'm fine." He nodded once more at them and set off down the street.

LaShante powered the window back up-the breeze was cold for this time of year. "We did what we could." She shivered and folded her arms, running her hands over her sweater. "Makes me so mad, those guys." She threw her hands in the air. "Why are they like that? Bullying everyone around them?"

"They're jerks. You said it."

Ella's heart ached. Michael must feel terrible. She thought about maybe stopping and insisting that he get in her car, but then ... if Jake and the guys drove by they'd just pick on Michael all the more Monday morning. For getting a ride with a girl.

LaShante was still fuming. "Where's Jake live? We should go wait for him." She gritted her teeth, still boiling over what had happened back at the school. "I'd like to be in his driveway when he pulls in and get in his face ... let him know what's up."

But in the end they decided against that, and Ella took LaShante home. Before she climbed out of the car, LaShante tossed her ponytail of fine braids and jabbed her pointer finger into the dark night air. "If you can be a friend to Holden Harris, then I can be a friend to that Michael kid." She shook her head, disgust flooding her tone. "Forget about those jocks. They're not worth the time." "They're not."

"Plus ... I love the flute." She smiled as she swung her feet onto the curb. "Maybe Michael will let me hear him play."

Ella liked the idea, and as she pulled away, the picture of LaShante hanging out with Michael Schwartz made her smile. Maybe Michael could actually teach her how to play. Wouldn't that be something? She and Holden in a play together, and LaShante and Michael playing the flute in the school band. Her happy thoughts faded and anger swelled inside her as she pictured Jake once more, the way he'd treated Michael. The way he was betting he'd treat her sometime before graduation. She shuddered at the idea. It was time for a change around Fulton, and if that change depended on her and LaShante, so be it.

After tonight they were both up to the challenge.

Twenty-Four.

MICHAEL S SCHWARTZ WAS OUT OF BREATH AND SICK TO HIS STOMach by the time he rode his bike into the apartment complex at the corner of Walnut and Main. His mom was at the kitchen table as he walked through the front door. She had her head in her hands, a gla.s.s of cheap wine beside her.

"You're late." She looked up, weary. Always weary. "I thought practice was over at eight."

"We had to stay longer." He still had his flute case tucked under his arm. His mom didn't like him leaving it out. She didn't like it, period. "The Christmas concert's next week. Remember?"

"Oh." She stared at the stack of mail and thumbed through the top few envelopes in the pile. With shaky hands she took a sip of wine. "I forgot." She didn't quite look up again, but her eyes found his anyway. "You thought about what I said earlier?"

"About the drums?" Michael shifted. His tennis shoes had a hole at the bottom, and he was pretty sure he had a blister.

"Yes." She adjusted her tone, less frustrated, more patient. "Your father played the drums. He'd be proud to see his boy on the drums."

"He's got a new family." Michael walked a few steps into the adjoining kitchen and poured himself a gla.s.s of water. He hated when his mom brought up the drums or his father. Hated it. "Besides...," He chugged back half a gla.s.s. "I don't like the drums.

I like the flute."

"But maybe just once you could-" She stopped and hesitated for a long moment. Then she exhaled and turned back to the mail. "Never mind. The flute's nice. Play the flute, Michael."

"I will." He finished the water and set the gla.s.s down. For a long time he studied his mother. She'd been pretty once, back when his dad lived with them. When they were a family. Three years ago he came clean about an affair, and the fact that he had two babies in another part of town. Now he lived there and only called every week or so.

Michael remembered being in kindergarten and finding his father's drum set in the spare room. His dad had helped him onto the short stool and placed the sticks in his hand. "One day you'll play the drums, just like me." He could still see the smile in his father's eyes, still hear the hope in his voice.

When his father left, he didn't take much. But he took what mattered. The drums and his mom's pretty. All the pretty she had left, anyway. Michael felt sorry for her, tied down to the bills and this way of life. She didn't need any of it. If it wasn't for him she could start over again. New marriage, new family. Same as Michael's dad.

He walked over, put his hand on her shoulder, and kissed her cheek. "Need help?"

She seemed slightly startled by his question. Her tired face lifted to his. "I'll be fine." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. She still had her hospital uniform on. She was a nurse's a.s.sistant -changing bedpans and running errands for patients. "I'm working a double tomorrow. Don't wait up for me."

"Okay." He lingered, the way he almost never did. "You work too hard."

"It's life." Again her smile was weak. She squinted at him a little. "You okay? You're acting funny."

"I'm good." He flashed a smile, one that felt as foreign as it probably looked. "Hey." He gave her shoulder a tender squeeze. "Love you, Mom."

"Love you too." She was already turned back to the mail, back to the bills. It was probably borderline rocket science trying to pay for life on her salary. Especially lately. His dad had been laid off, so no money was coming in from him.

Michael headed down the hall, keenly aware of the stained threadbare carpeting and the shabby walls. They'd lived here since the divorce, and the landlord hadn't made a single upgrade. He entered his room and shut the door behind him. Maybe he'd jump rope. He did that sometimes. When he hurt so bad he couldn't stand another minute. When he was so angry he wanted to break a window or punch his fist through the wall. He would jump rope for half an hour sometimes. Until the pain subsided enough so he could breathe.

The jump rope hung across the dresser, waiting for him. His respite.

Or maybe he'd play the flute. The case was cold from the ride home, and as he set it on the end of his bed he opened the case.

For a long minute he stared at the instrument. "Play the drums ..." He let his mother's words wash over him again. Like that would ever happen. He lifted the flute from its case and brought the cold metal to his lips. His favorite song from the upcoming Christmas concert was "O Holy Night." He reached into the case and pulled out the folded sheet music.

He opened it and studied the notes, soaked in the meaning of the words. Because he'd never felt that in all his life. A holy night. He blew just hard enough for quiet sounds to fill the room. No matter how quietly he played, his mom was bound to hear him. Maybe she would like the sound and come sit with him. Come listen to him play the flute. She hadn't heard him play in almost a year, not since the last Christmas concert. He practiced at school and when she was at work.

Because he didn't want her sitting in the other room wishing he was playing the drums.

The words sang softly to him as he played ... O Holy Night ... the stars are brightly shining ... It is the night of the dear Savior's birth. O Holy Night ... the stars are brightly shining ... It is the night of the dear Savior's birth. The music filled him and eased the pain. The pain that was like a towering grizzly bear, grabbing at him, clawing him. Devouring him. The music filled him and eased the pain. The pain that was like a towering grizzly bear, grabbing at him, clawing him. Devouring him. Long lay the world... in sin and error pining ... Long lay the world... in sin and error pining ...

Was there really a Savior? Really a baby born to save the world? If so, his mom and dad had never talked about Him. They never took the family to church or gave Michael a reason to believe in G.o.d. But the song gave him hope. O Holy Night O Holy Night ... like maybe it really happened, somewhere back in time. The stars brightly shining. ... like maybe it really happened, somewhere back in time. The stars brightly shining.

Michael lowered the flute to his lap. Only gay guys played the flute? Was that really what everyone thought? He was some gay emo guy who played the flute? Like a girl or something? He laid the flute on the bed and stared out the window. It faced northwest, Michael made a point of knowing that. Northwest, the same direction three miles away where his father lived with his new family.

I'll never play the drums, Dad ... He stood and moved to the window, mesmerized by the darkness, by the vastness of it. Why was he here, anyway? His dad didn't want him. The trade-in was over and done with. New wife, new kids. And his mother? She worked all those hours because of him, right? If she didn't have a kid to feed and clothe, maybe she'd have time to go on a date. He stood and moved to the window, mesmerized by the darkness, by the vastness of it. Why was he here, anyway? His dad didn't want him. The trade-in was over and done with. New wife, new kids. And his mother? She worked all those hours because of him, right? If she didn't have a kid to feed and clothe, maybe she'd have time to go on a date.

He thought about Monday morning, and the pain slashed at him like so many times before. How many people had heard Jake Collins shout at him tonight? Calling him gay and queer and telling the whole world that he played the flute. How many kids would sneer at him Monday morning, whispering about the gay kid who played the flute like a girl?

He used to feel sorry for kids like Holden Harris. Jake's crowd never let up on Holden -especially since Ella had become his friend. But here was the thing ... Holden didn't know the difference. In his private world, the pain couldn't touch him.

But what about Michael Schwartz? Skinny, cheaply dressed Michael Schwartz? Where was his private world? The place where pain couldn't touch him? He looked around his room again... the single bed, the worn-out cork bulletin board with a math paper from last year still tacked onto one corner. Tickets to a Georgia Tech baseball game he and his mom had gone to a couple years back. An invitation to a 5K race from a year ago. Back when jumping rope seemed like it could lead to a pa.s.sion for running. The empty black night on the other side of the window... the flute lying on his bed ...

Where was his relief? He closed his eyes and he could see them still, hear them shouting above the roar. "You're gay, right? Just come out and say it, already. Guys who play the flute are gay ... Guys who play the flute are gay."

How was he going to tell everyone at Fulton that Jake Collins was wrong? That the flute calmed the bear-if only for a little while?

Relief ... he needed relief. He didn't want to play the drums. He wasn't that little boy sitting next to his dad, dreaming for the first time about sharing something like drums with his daddy. No more. He loved the flute, and he wasn't gay. No matter what Jake said. Michael closed his eyes tight. The pain was gaining on him, and if he didn't find a way out he would be ripped apart, piece by piece. Any minute that would happen. Then ... like a single safe place in the darkest of forests ... Michael opened his eyes and saw it. The only other thing in his bedroom besides the furniture.

His jump rope.

From there his eyes darted across the room to the chin-up bar that hung on the backside of his bedroom door. He didn't do pull-ups often, but it held his weight. Michael already knew that. The possibility ran like wildfire, like the craziest intoxicating drug-through his heart and mind and maybe even straight through his soul. Who would miss him? The kids at school wouldn't notice he was gone. His dad could stop feeling guilty -if he ever felt guilty -about not sending money. He had a new family, and kids who would probably grow up to play the drums.

And his mom could quit working doubles.

It was a way out, for sure. The only one Michael could see. He had to move quickly before he changed his mind. He stood and grabbed the rope, looped it around his neck in a hurry. The fibers scratched against the skin around his throat and he coughed a few times. It would be over before he could get scared and stop himself. Here was his relief, a way to stop the onslaught of pain. This way pain wouldn't have the last say for Michael Schwartz. He wouldn't have to defend himself to anyone Monday morning.

Boy Scouts had been another bust for him-without a dad it wasn't a lot of fun. But he'd been in long enough to learn about knots. It didn't take long. Less than a minute. He did a pull-up and adjusted the rope, fixed the knot so it wouldn't slide. All he had to do was let go, and that would be that. No more Jake Collins, no more dad living three miles out the northwest-facing window. No more kids thinking he was gay because he loved the flute.

The flute.