Don't Die Dragonfly by Linda Joy Singleton

girlfriend?”
    “No, just a friend.”
    “As long as she doesn’t become your friend, too.” Penny-Love picked up her backpack, and we started walking. “For a second there you had me worried. Afraid you’d gone over to the dark side.”
    “Never happen.” I glanced away guiltily. Maybe I should have said something more to defend Thorn, but I didn’t want to hurt Penny-Love, and she was already sensitive about our friendship. So I smoothed things over by inviting her to my house tonight.
    “Great! I’ve been curious about that guy your grandmother hired. If he’s the hottie I spotted out in the pasture on my way here, I’ve got to meet him.”
    “Bad idea. Dominic is rude and totally antisocial.”
    “Oh, a challenge!” She rubbed her hands together. “Nothing I like better—especially when he’s fine.”
    “You’ll just be asking to be shot down. He’s not your type.”
    She didn’t argue, but the gleam in her eyes worried me.
    * * *
    The rest of the school day made me feel like a circus juggler, only instead of balls, I juggled people. Passing notes to Penny-Love in homeroom, admiring Josh’s latest magic trick, and listening to my teachers so I didn’t miss any assignments. Wearing a permanent smile, always hiding a part of myself. This was especially hard with Josh because when he looked at me, so sweet and caring, I’d long to tell him everything. Only I didn’t dare.
    At least there were no secrets with Manny, who still teased that I was his “miracle.” After glancing around the classroom to make sure no one was watching, he handed me a paper from my “To Be Edited” folder, and I pretended to work while he clued me in on the latest news. “I accidentally found a memo to the principal from the police.”
    “‘Accidentally’?” I couldn’t help but grin. “Where? In his pocket?”
    “On his desk.”
    “How did you manage that without getting caught?”
    He smirked. “A journalist can’t divulge professional secrets.”
    “So what did you learn?” I picked up a red pen and marked a misspelled word on the article.
    “Regis High football players are cleared—partying that night with lots of witnesses. The janitor is out of the hospital, but has no memory of the attack. The police checked local pawnshops for the missing stuff—without success. They also received an anonymous tip saying that the stolen things were still at school.”
    “An anonymous tip?” I said, shivering despite the sun shining through the classroom windows. “I wonder who called it in.”
    “I was hoping you could tell me.”
    I shook my head. “It’s not that easy.”
    “Well, if something comes to you, let me know. Recovering the missing items would make a great article.” Manny leaned closer to whisper, “Which is why we’re going to search the school tonight.”
    “We are?”
    “Yeah—before anyone else does. Thorn’s cool with the plan, and we’re gonna meet in the Taco Bell parking lot at ten. Are you in?”
    “Sure. As long as I don’t have to do anything illegal.”
    “Misdemeanors only. And no one will find out.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Trust me.”
    Not exactly encouraging words. But taking action was better than waiting around. So I nodded, and hoped I wasn’t heading for trouble.
    * * *
    What was my grandmother doing on the porch with a paintbrush and a cow?
    As I neared the house, I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Nona’s gray-blond hair was wrapped in a bandanna and her oversized gray T-shirt brushed inches above the porch floor as she squatted on a low stool to paint blue, pink, and yellow flowers on her cow, Daphne.
    I had to ask, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer. “Nona, what’s going on?”
    “I’m painting.”
    “On a cow? Can’t you use a canvas like normal people?”
    “Most people aren’t as sensitive to the needs of their pets as I am.” Nona patted Daphne’s tawny head. “Poor dear was feeling like a plain