The Friend Scheme - Cale Dietrich Page 0,49
other for so long. Dad has told me countless stories about what treacherous, bad people they are. Like Victoria Donovan, who is the reason hard drugs are so popular with many of the youth of the city. She targeted them and made the drugs readily available. And then there’s Christopher Donovan, who killed five people over a debt of five grand. He wiped out a whole family because the poor sucker who loaned from him couldn’t pay him back on time.
This is the story I’ve heard, over and over.
Donovans are the most selfish, awful people around. They can never be trusted. The only good thing to do with them is kill them.
Because as much as we’re criminals, at least Millers care about the people of the city. We make ourselves rich at the same time, too, sure. But we’re forgiving. And considerate. And we never put ourselves above the general well-being of the city. People like illegal stuff, and we’re happy to provide it.
Jason acts a lot more like us than any Donovan I’ve ever heard of.
I turn my attention back to the ball. I’m surprised it’s even going on, given everyone knows about the Donovans’ scheme now.
As long as I never talk to him about my family, he can’t ruin my life. Right?
No.
This is just me being stupid.
I had no idea how much I needed a friend until I got a taste of it. To use an expression Dad uses a lot: I’ve swirled the drink. It can’t hurt me.
But if I were to see him again …
Ugh.
I wish he was an ordinary guy.
“Hello, earth to Matthew.”
I look up and see Cassidy standing in front of me. She’s holding two glasses of champagne. She looks amazing right now, in a sleek, floor-length black dress.
She offers me a glass.
“Thanks,” I say, and I take a sip, even though I don’t like drinking. It’s very crisp, and probably superexpensive. It’s still gross, though. Who even likes this stuff? “Sorry, I was just thinking.”
“No worries,” she says, leaning against the golden wall beside me. “Having a good night?”
“Clearly.”
She laughs and tilts her glass toward me. We cheers.
“Yeah, me too,” she says. “My mom drags me to these things; it’s the worst.”
“Oh, really? What would you rather be doing?”
She pauses, thinking. “Pretty much anything. You?”
“Yeah, same.”
“Figures. Why do they make us come here?”
I shrug. “I guess they want us to learn how stuff works. We’re going to be like them, one day.”
“That’s a scary thought.”
“Right?”
Silence falls over us. We both watch the crowd. It is actually a pretty great spectacle. Everyone has gone all out with their outfits. Luke has taken off his suit jacket, revealing a white shirt and suspenders. He’s slow dancing with a girl in a red gown. Her hair is straightened, and she reminds me a little of a femme fatale. He dips her, then snaps her back up, so she’s fully pressed against him. She looks breathless. So does he.
I wonder if Cassidy is jealous.
She smiles. “I know you’re gay, by the way. I know it’s not just a rumor.”
“What?”
“Oh, dude, listen. I’m not going to out you. It’s our secret. But if you want people to stop talking, you should probably be a little more careful. I watched you for like five minutes and saw you check out every single even remotely hunky waiter in here. Plus, I’m in this dress, and you don’t seem nervous to talk to me. Nor have you looked at my décolletage.”
I’ve known Cassidy for ages. I’ve never considered her a threat. But I don’t trust how I feel anymore.
“I … um. Listen, I…”
“Hey, it’s okay. I just want you to know I think it’s a good thing, if it is true. Maybe it’s even a great thing. This world has enough straight dudes. I think it’s time for the queers and the women to take over.”
I nod. I feel like I can’t say anything.
She smiles. “You know, we should hang out more.”
It kind of surprises me. I’ve always thought Cassidy was way too cool for me.
“Really?” I say.
“Yeah!”
What if she’s trying out the Friend Scheme?
But there’s no way. She’s Cassidy Strickland; I’ve known her since she was five.
There’s no way this is a Friend Scheme thing.
She wants to be friends with me. For real.
“Why?” I ask.
“I feel like you’re really coming into your own lately. I don’t know. It’s like everyone has been underestimating you. Luke gets so much attention, and don’t get me wrong, he’s a cool guy, and he’s