Free You Against Me by Jenny Downham Page B

closer to him. No one knew Ellie saw that kiss, no one in the world. If Tom liked Karyn, and she liked him back, why would he hurt her? Why would he take something when Karyn was going to give it for free?
    English followed Maths and was the last lesson before break. Kids who hadn’t seen her yet either insisted on asking questions, or kept quiet and shot daggers with their eyes. Maybe when everyone had seen her once and decided what their response was, they’d get back to what they usually did and ignore her.
    At break, the corridor wasn’t as bad as she’d imagined. No one pushed her, no one thumped her or slammed her against the lockers. When she went to the toilet, the only other girl in there merely grinned and said, ‘Hi.’
    Ellie started to relax. It wasn’t so bad. Far worse to be Karyn – stuck in her flat avoiding everyone. She probably wished she hadn’t started all this, and that Tom was her boyfriend instead of her enemy.
    So when Ellie saw Stacey and her mate sitting on a bench under the trees, she knew what she had to do. She felt brave and certain as she walked up and stood in front of them. They both stared up at her in total disbelief. But it was too late now.
    She said, ‘How’s Karyn?’
    Stacey shook her head slowly. ‘Are you talking to me?’
    ‘I was wondering how Karyn was.’
    ‘Piss off.’
    ‘I met you when you came round my house that night, do you remember? I know you’re her friend and I didn’t want to ignore you – it felt important.’
    ‘Important?’ Stacey’s lips curled as if something tasted bad in her mouth.
    ‘Yes.’ Ellie knew she was blushing, hated how hot she felt. ‘Someone told me she’s not leaving her flat any more.’
    Stacey stood up and took a step towards Ellie. She had thin lips and pale skin. Her eyes were brown. Ellie had never known any of these things about her before. ‘If I got nut-job texts from your brother, I’d be too scared to go out.’
    ‘He’s not allowed to text her.’
    ‘I’m talking before , when she told him she was going to the cops.’
    Ellie shook her head. She had no clue what Stacey was talking about. ‘How is she now ? That’s what I’m asking.’
    Stacey took another step forward. ‘She won’t leave the flat, she won’t see her friends, she won’t come to school. She’s having a total breakdown. Satisfied?’
    ‘I’m sorry.’
    ‘Why, what did you do?’
    ‘Nothing. I’m sorry, that’s all. Could you please tell her I’m sorry?’
    ‘You think she gives a crap how you feel?’
    Ellie could feel humiliation burning her face, down her neck to her chest. Even her fingers burned with shame. She turned away.
    But Stacey grabbed her sleeve. ‘Don’t walk away from me!’
    Ellie yanked her arm free and tried to push past them, but Stacey and her mate separated and came round on either side of her, backing her towards the fence. It was a perfect manoeuvre, like something rehearsed. They stood in front of Ellie, blocking her way. She tried to stare them out, but it was difficult to focus – the playground appeared to tilt behind them.
    Stacey said, ‘Why did you tell the cops you never saw anything?’
    ‘Because I didn’t.’
    ‘How can that be true?’
    Both girls looked her up and down. Ellie tried to push past, but they pushed her back. She stumbled, nearly fell.
    Stacey said, ‘Where were you all night?’
    ‘Asleep.’
    The mate said, ‘Yeah, course you were.’
    People were beginning to notice. Three boys standing further along the fence were clocking it all. One of them yelled, ‘Cat fight.’
    No, Ellie didn’t want this. With people looking she’d have to do something, say something. She’d look stupid if she didn’t defend herself. Or guilty.
    She tried to break free again. ‘Let me go.’
    Stacey shoved her back. ‘Or what? What you gonna do, bitch? You gonna rape me?’
    She was blaring it out. The boys jogged over. Stacey’s eyes glittered as she turned to them. ‘She was