Free If I Were Your Boyfriend by Earl Sewell Page B

puked when I heard that. "Where are these ridiculous rumors coming from?" I asked.
      "The rumor mill!" Mike said sarcastically. "I don't have a clue as to where they're coming from. I do know the rumors have messed up my reputation at school. People are saying that I'm helping you sell it because I've been defending your name."
      "Sit down here next to me." I patted a spot on the bed. Mike came over and sat down.
      "It's Liz," I said. "Liz is responsible for all of this drama, Mike. I got a chance to do some thinking when I was at Grandmother Katie's house and I realized that Liz is the one who planted the drugs on me."
      "We'll have to get her to confess that before you get put in jail."
      "Put in jail? What are you talking about? I thought we were going to fight this and win?"
      "Well, I probably shouldn't tell you this but I overheard a conversation Dad had with your lawyer, Asia. And from what I could tell, the police feel as if they have a slam-dunk case against you. They're not even looking for the real criminals."
      "That's crazy." My voice trembled with nervousness. "I didn't do anything. This is all Liz's fault. This is her doing. Why can't they see that?"
      "I don't know," Mike answered. We were both silent for a moment because we were at a loss for words.
      "I can't go down for something like this," I said. "It's not fair." I stood up and began pacing back and forth. I was trying to focus my thoughts on what to do next. "If my grandmother Rubylee were here, she'd get all of this mess straightened out in no time flat. She wouldn't even be stressed out over it." I turned toward Mike.
      "Well, what do you think your other grandmother would do in a situation like this?" asked Mike.
      "Who, Rubylee?"
      "Yeah, Rubylee. What would she do?"
      "She would tell Liz, 'I'm about to kill you cemetery
    dead' and then shoot her where she stood," I answered. "But killing her is not an option for me. I need her alive."
      "I say kill her anyway." Mike laughed a little bit.
      "My grandmother Rubylee doesn't play around," I said as I raised my index finger to my teeth and began chewing on my fingernails. "I've already made up my mind to confront Liz and ask for an explanation and a confession." I focused my attention on Mike. I was searching his eyes for support.
      "What if she doesn't confess?" he asked.
      "Then I'll have to make her," I answered with absolute resolve. "Let me finish getting dressed. I've got a big day ahead of me. I've got to deal with all the rumors, confront Liz and clear my name."
      "That's easier said than done," Mike said as he stood up and walked out of my room.
      "Yeah, I know," I mumbled to myself. "But I have to do what I have to do. Some days are just born ugly, and this day is shaping up to be a very ugly day."

Wesley

    esterday, after the judge rendered her decision, I walked out of the courtroom and was escorted to a holding area. After I'd waited for about twenty minutes, Officer Sanchez entered the area with a box that contained all of my belongings.
      "This is it for you, amigo. Y ou make sure that you do right by your father."
      "Oh, you don't have to worry about that," I said as I opened the box and removed my jeans.
      "I don't want to ever see you back here, you understand?" Officer Sanchez was about to leave the room to give me some privacy.
      "Trust me, I'm never coming back to this place. I hated being locked up," I said, even though I hadn't wanted to admit it when I arrived.
      "No, you told me that you liked it here, remember?"
      "Yeah, I remember what I said. This place was better than where I was at, trust me on that one. But staying here permanently would have driven me crazy."
      "Make sure that you do great things with your life. You seem like a smart guy. I hope my perception of you is correct."
      "It is and I will," I said. Officer Sanchez instructed me to place my prison clothes in the box once I was fully