Free Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

and felt around. “Do you need to use my cell phone?” Mom insisted that they all have cell phones now that it was only ten dollars per person on the family plan. Grace pulled out the phone and held it toward Skylar.
    â€œUh, I have a cell phone,” Skylar said, rolling her eyes. “It doesn’t work here. I don’t know of any cell phones that work along this stretch of the road. But go ahead and check yours.”
    Grace looked down at the display. “You’re right. No service.” She stuffed the phone in her backpack and set it down. “You can walk to my house with me and use our home phone. My house isn’t too much farther.”
    â€œOr I can start walking toward my own house. Eventually I’ll get service and can call”—Skylar paused—“someone.”
    Grace held her hand to her forehead to block the setting sun. “What about the truck?”
    Skylar gave the truck another swift kick, her long black hair falling forward. She flipped it over her shoulder. “I guess it’ll have to sit here for now.”
    â€œWant me to help you push it off the road in case you don’t get back before dark?”
    Skylar sighed, one hand on her hip. “If you don’t mind, that would be great. Let me go put it in neutral and release the brake.”
    Together they pushed the truck to the side of the road, flattening a group of bluebonnets. Grace was surprised that they didn’t have more trouble moving the truck, considering Skylar wasn’t much bigger than Grace.
    â€œThere’s my brother.” Grace pointed at Chad’s rust-free Chevy pickup coming toward them. “I’m late. He’s probably looking for me.”
    â€œYou’re bleeding.”
    Before Grace looked at Skylar, her eyes darted down to her arm. “Oh, it’s no big deal.”
    Skylar walked closer, and she surprised Grace when she touched her arm. Grace flinched and pulled away. “How long have you been cutting?” Skylar asked.
    â€œWhat?” Grace felt like her heart would pound out of her chest.
    â€œYou heard me. How long have you been a cutter?”
    Grace picked up her backpack and swung it over her shoulder just as Chad eased up beside them. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Grace snapped.
    â€œSure you do.” Skylar blinked a few times as she took a deep breath. “Let me know if you want to talk.”
    Grace watched Skylar shuffle down the road in her black army boots, but felt compelled to yell after her, “Don’t you need a ride?”
    â€œNo.” Skylar didn’t turn around.
    Good . Grace was quite sure of one thing. She had no intention of talking with Skylar Brown about anything.
    She crawled in the front seat with Chad, her bottom lip trembling as Chad yelled at her about being late and not calling. And something about Cindy having to leave early.
    Grace hated to be late. Or to be yelled at. But she just sat there and listened without responding, gritting her teeth so hard her jaw hurt. Her head felt like a pinball machine, the balls bouncing around, slamming against the side of her brain. And her heart was pounding so hard, she was starting to feel sick to her stomach. Shut up, Chad! Just shut up!
    She closed her eyes to tune him out, which was nearly impossible, but when she finally did, she envisioned the way Skylar had looked at her earlier—with pity in her eyes. The last thing Grace needed was for a girl like Skylar to feel sorry for her.
    There is nothing wrong with me, Goth Girl .

Chapter Five
    Darlene eased her chair away from the sewing machine in the corner of her bedroom. She’d taken her time altering Layla’s dress, being precise and extra cautious every time she touched it. Standing, she held it high above her head so the bottom wouldn’t drag on the floor. “Well, what do you think?”
    Brad took off his glasses and placed them on top of