Chapter Thirteen

There it is. Andy's house. His stupid Jeep is here. That means he's home. Jock parks and we all file out of the van. Suddenly I'm nervous. What if he kills me?

Patrick: Andy Evans! Get out here!

Andy and the girl he is cheating on Rachel with come outside. Its Jock's sister. I don't know her name.

Andy: What do you want, Patrick?

Patrick: I want to expose you for the creep you are. At that party last summer, you hit on a girl who was barely thirteen. Then you two disappeared for a while. She came back looking like she was mugged.

Andy: Who is this girl? Whatever she said is a lie.

Me: That girl is my girlfriend, Melinda Sordino and she would never lie. You're he liar, asshole.

Andy: Oh its you. Pat, this kid is crazy. He attacked me for no reason.

Me: LIKE YOU ATTACKED HER FOR NO REASON? SHE IS AN INNOCENT GIRL AND YOU HURT YOU!

Andy: I couls have any girl in that school I want. Why would rape Melinda?

Me: Because you're sick. I don't know. But you're guilty.

Andy acted like he wanted to hit me. The team made a motion to hold him down. Jock took his sister back. She was not happy. Patrick pushed me forward while Andy was restrained.

Me: I have never hated anyone more than I hate you. Confess.

Andy: I never touched her.

I grab a big rock, the biggest one I could find. I toss it around in my hand. Andy eyes it.

Me: Confess.

Andy: She's not even cute. I would touch someone like that.

I pick up a second rock and juggle them around. Andy eyes them.

Derek: Hit him, David.

Me: I know you're guilty. Melinda is scared of you. She is all the proof I need, but in order to have you locked away for ever I need a confession. Confess.

Derek starts his video camera. Andy admits defeat when Patrick pulls a bat out of the van. Several team members grab bats and various objects. Andy confesses.

Andy: I raped the bitch, happy?

I hit him woth the smaller of the two rocks for calling my girl a bitch. Derek stops rolling. I hit him with the bigger rock and take the video camera. I turn Andy over to the team.

Patrick takes a swing. I don't look back as the bat hits Andy. I want to honestly say I didn't see a thing. I walk he tape down to the Sordino's and hand it directly to Melinda's mom.

Mrs. Sordino: What is this?

Me: You need to see it. You'll know what to do.

Melinda: You didn't have to.

Me: Yes, I did. You need closure.

Mrs. Sordino gives us privacy. Melinda picks at her scabby lips. I smile. She is so beautiful. I take her hand and hold it. Its too late to go to the dance. Melinda takes me upstairs. I have never been in her room before.

She turns on some music and stares at me.

Melinda: Would you like to dance?

Me: More than you'll ever know.

We slow dance. Melinda actually lays her head kn my shoulder. Her mom bursts through the door and we jump apart. I look down.

Mrs. Sordino: Why didn't you tell me, Melinda?

Melinda:

Mrs. Sordino: You did this?

She held up the tape. I nodded.

Me: Me and the school athletes, ma'am.

Mrs. Sordino: Call your parents. You'll need them here when you talk to the police.

I understand what she means. I go downstairs to call my parents. They arrive about the same time as the police. We all sit in the living room and talk. The officer sends some units down to get Andy.

Andy's parents are going to want a lawyer, but what's the point I have his confession. I learn he confesses right to the police too. From the way they talk, he was beaten bloody.

Officer: Do you know anything about that, Mr. Petrakis?

Me: Nope. I didn't see it. It must have happened after I left.

That is the truth. I hold Melinda's hand. She is not speaking, but she doesn't need too. One look at Andy and her face tells the police everything they need to know.

After they leave, I walk Melinda to her room while the grown ups discuss downstairs.

Me: I sort of have a crush on you.

Now I am the one doing the confessing.

Melinda: I know. I like you too.

And then we're kissing. Its like my birthday, Hannukah, and the Fourth of July all came at the same time. Melinda slides her tongue in my mouth. My insides are doing the can-can.

Me: Does this make me your boyfriend?

Melinda: Yes.

I have a girlfriend now. My lab partner, Melinda Sordino.