Free Shatterproof by Jocelyn Shipley Page A

around behind her back to see him. I’d be forced to lie to her like I’m doing today.
    It was such a long, boring summer without Lug. I had nothing to do but help at home with shopping, cooking and cleaning. I had nobody to hang out with except Mom. And she was struggling to adjust to life in a wheelchair and to Dad leaving.
    It was way beyond depressing.
    Now I’ve started high school and met some kids. But I don’t have any close friends yet. So when Lug texted me to come visit, I said yes.
    Then I worked out my fake story for Mom.
    She was almost too easy to fool. The idea of me competing at a cross-country meet made her so happy. See, she used to be a track star in high school. She got her degree in phys ed, then worked as a fitness instructor. She even coached my soccer team.
    Now she knits. And knits. And knits.
    I’m not proud of what I’m doing. But the past seven months have been brutal for me too.
    Etta’s right. I need to have some fun.
    And Lug’s the guy to make that happen.

Chapter Two
    The ferry docking announcement sounds. I hurry along with the other passengers down the walkway and through the terminal. On the sidewalk outside, I wait for Lug to pick me up as planned.
    I text Mom. Made it to Victoria ok.
    She replies, Great! Good luck!! Love u!!!
    Half an hour passes. All the other passengers have left on buses or been picked up. Maybe Lug forgot I was coming?
    Clouds close in over the sun. Drizzling rain starts. Within minutes it’s pouring down full force. I go back inside the terminal to wait.
    I’m about to text Lug when a black SUV pulls up. Lug’s older sister, Dakota, is driving. She’s seventeen and gorgeous. She’s also a classic mean girl.
    “Thanks for picking me up,” I say as I climb into the back beside Lug. It’s best to be polite to Dakota. But I don’t trust her. She’s made Lug’s life hell over the years.
    “Whatever,” she says. “It was the only way I could get to use the car today. If it was my choice, I’d never drive you guys anywhere. Especially to the mall to ogle girls.”
    “Hey, dude,” Lug says. “Good to see ya. Sorry we’re late. Dakota had to do her nails.”
    Dakota does a little finger wave with one hand. Her long nails are painted black. She could probably kill with them.
    “No problem,” I say.
    Dakota doesn’t answer, just checks me out in the rearview mirror.
    “Don’t know how you stand living on the Island,” Lug says. “It’s way cooler here.”
    “I know, I know.” There’s so much more to do in the city. I wish I could come over every weekend. Or at least once a month.
    Dakota merges onto the highway. It starts to rain harder. She adjusts the windshield wipers to full speed. Then she glances at me in the rearview mirror again. “Wow, Nate,” she says. “You really grew up over the summer.”
    She’s right. I’m way taller. And I’m a lot leaner and more muscular from running. “Um, yeah, I guess,” I say.
    Is she setting me up?
    “You’ve lost that baby-face thing you had going on,” she says. “You look hot.”
    “Dakota!” Lug says. “Shut up! Don’t hit on my friends.”
    She laughs and signals a lane change. When we’re in the fast lane, she flicks her long blond hair over her shoulders. “Seriously, Nate,” she says. “Got a girlfriend yet?”
    “No.” And I’m not discussing girlfriends with Dakota.
    “That’s hard to believe. You look like the guy on that show, the one about the teen detective.”
    This must be a setup.
    “You know the one,” she says, slowing down to exit the highway. “Bo Blaketon? On Shatterproof ?”
    “Oh, please,” Lug says. But he takes a long look at me. “Okay, maybe a little bit.” Maybe Dakota means it. Because a girl at school told me that too. She seemed surprised when she saw me after the summer. So did a couple other kids.
    When we are stopped at a traffic light, Dakota turns around to stare at me. “Yeah, you totally look like Bo Blaketon. Bet you can get