Free Blue Is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz Page A

he saw, because he came back for mon this morning."
    "To drop the keys back oft--not that it's any of your business." Veronica walks away and Drea and I look at each other and burst out laughing.
    "It figures she would have wacko-perv for a father," Drea says.
    "I can't believe that was him" I say.
    "Wait," Drea rebounds. "Wiat do you mean Chad can't make it?"
    "He said something about 1-laving an early hockey practice," I say. "He wants you to e-mail the assignment to Donovan so he can print it ou and give it to Chad before class."
    "Why isn't Donovan going P the hockey practice? He's the star center." Drea hurls her ipstick into the sink. "I'm so sick of him lying to me and bloving me off. This is just like last week. He gave me some fathetic story about visiting his sick grandmother."
    "He did have his hockey mask with him," I say. "You know what this means though, don't you?
    The cards were right. He canceled."
    "I have more important things to think about than cards."
    "More important than your life?"
    Drea tries to push her way past me, but I grab her arm and spin her around. "Your spoiled brat routine isn't going to work this time," I say. "I'm going to help you whether you like it or not."
    She stares at me a few seconds, as though not wanting to listen but too scared to run away. "I can't deal with this right now."
    "Well, I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice. You're my best friend and I don't want anything to happen to you."
    I lead Drea into a bathroom stall for privacy, pull the now-mangled note from the center of my palm, and drop it into hers.
    "What's this?"
    "Just open it," I say. "It was attached to Chad's hockey jersey. He got it back. It was stuffed into his mailbox with the note."

    "Stay away from her. I'm watching you'?" Drea reads. "Wait, I'm confused; I thought I was supposed to get the note."
    "You will," I say. "Another one. Addressed to you. I'm sure of it."
    "Who's the 'her' in the note?" she asks.
    "Who do you think?"
    Drea smiles. "It's me, isn't it."
    "It's not a compliment, Drea. This is serious. Whoever sent this note to Chad is trying pretty hard to make sure he stops hanging around you. Chad might even be in danger himself."
    Drea's smile wilts. -That doesn't make sense. Why would anyone want to hurt Chad?"
    -Because whoever this is wants you all to himself.- -So, you're sure it's a guy?"
    "Who knows? You've pissed off enough girls around here.- I spread the paper out on the wall and smooth my fingers over it to feel the grains. There's a slight vibration coming from the word
    "her." I trace the letters with my finger and concentrate on each one. Then I close my eyes and bring the paper up to my nose.
    "What?" Drea asks. "What is it?"
    -Lilies,- I say. "Like in my dream. There were lilies." "What do lilies have to do with anything?"
    she asks. "They're just flowers."
    "Lilies are the death flower."
    -You're scaring me."
    "We're in this together," I say, taking her hand and holding it. "If we can predict the future, we can change it." -So much for fate."
    -We make our own fate," I say. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
    "Promise?"
    I nod and think of Maura.
    "You're my best friend,- she says.
    I lean over and give her what we both need, the biggest hug.

    "Can I just make one small request?" Drea asks. 'Anything."
    "Can we get out of this bathroom stall now?"
    "Totally," I giggle. "We still have a half hour before classes--skipping breakfast, that is."
    "I don't think I can eat."
    "Let's go back to the room and make a plan."
    By the time we emerge from the stall, the entire bathroom has emptied out. All except for what awaits us.
    It sits across the width of the sink. A large, rectangular box, wrapped in cherry-red paper, with a silver bow. There's a card attached on top with Drea's name written in the same red block lettering as Chad's note.
    I reach for Drea's hand, but it's trembling over her mouth. A wheezing sound sputters from her throat, like she's having trouble finding