Free Bluefish by Pat Schmatz Page A

hostile about doing that social- studies project together, but as soon as that was over, he got normal again.
    And biggest plus: that day in front of the library. He asked what it was, even though the sign was right there, and I gave him a "Can't you read?" snotty answer. That's when he acted like I'd thrown a rock at him.
    I think Travis is circling words.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    Travis kept thinking about what Velveeta said about lying all the time. Did she really lie all the time? If she did, how was he supposed to know what to believe? Maybe he was stupid for believing any of it.
    The next day at lunch, she pushed the thick book she'd been reading into the middle of the table. "Do you know what this book is about?" The picture on the cover was a dark curvy line of dominoes, with a finger ready to push the first one over.
    "You said it's about death."
    "Yeah, but it's about something else, too. There's thisgirl in it, and she can't read. She's super- smart, but she never learned, and then in the book she learns how."
    A hot fire lit up under Travis's face.

    "It's so great," said Velveeta, "the way she learns. Not with baby books, but with a book about digging graves."
    "You want my cookie?" he asked.
    If only Bradley would show up. Where was he, anyway?
    "You know that fox book you carry around?" she asked. "Are you circling words in there? I just wondered because the girl in here kind of reminds me of you, and that's what she's doing, so I wondered if that's what you're doing. Besides, McQueen is the one who made me start reading this book."
    "He told you." Travis narrowed his eyes at McQueen, over at the teachers' table.
    "No!" yelped Velveeta. "He didn't say anything. He's a buttinski, not a blabbermouth. I figured it out myself, and I swear, I won't tell anyone. I think it's super- cool, just like Liesel in the book. And she's got this friend named Rudy, and they steal stuff together. Maybe we can go steal some stuff, too.
    What do you want to steal?"
    Travis was sweating so hard, it ran down his sides. He bit his lip so his teeth wouldn't chatter.
    "Travis, really, it's okay," Velveeta said. "If it's none of my business, and if you want me to shut up, just knock on the table three times. If you don't want me to shut up but you still want me to eat your cookie, knock twice. If you want to give me an extra twenty dollars today if I kiss you in front of everyone, knock once. If you - "
    Travis held up his hand.
    "That's not a knock," said Velveeta.
    Travis shook his head.
    "I understand the sign language of the Travatoni tribe.
    I will stop talking."
    "I gotta go." He picked up his tray.
    "The bell didn't ring yet," she called after him.
    He hid out in the library for the rest of the lunch period, taking deep breaths to keep from freaking out. She knew. There was no way to make her not know, because now she knew. She said she wouldn't tell anyone, but what if that was a lie?
    All afternoon, he kept the fox with him. He circled words into the second chapter and went over his list of five words again and again, writing them on his palm with his finger. Tracing them in deep.
    Velveeta came by his locker after school.
    "Can I see the book?"
    "No," said Travis.
    "Please?"
    Travis put the book in his backpack, pulled on his jacket, and slammed his locker.
    "Don't be mad." Velveeta followed him. "I won't tell anyone, I swear. And I really do think it's cool."
    "Yeah, but you lie all the time, remember?"

    Velveeta stopped. When Travis got to the door, he turned and leaned on it as he pushed his way out. She was still standing where he'd left her, in the middle of the hall, kids streaming around her like she was an island.
    Their eyes met, and she turned away. Limping, almost.
    Travis pushed out the door. The air was dense and sullen, the sky a gray muddle, like Travis's stomach. He'd hurt her. Not a bloody nose or a concussion, but something just as bad.
    He turned down the alley and peeked in the park.
    Nobody there. Travis dropped