Keith

I almost couldn't believe it when I turned around to see Beth Barry standing there, declaring to the world that I was lying. Didn't she know that by defending Jana she couldn't really prove anything? Everyone knew Beth and Jana were best friends and that Beth would say ANYTHING to save her. But hey- if she wanted to make herself look like a fool in front of the entire student body, why should I stop her?

"Oh, really? Please then, do tell," I said with a smile. She glared at me.

"First of all, I just want to tell you what I jerk you are for starting all this," she snapped. "It was bad enough when you tried to bring Jana down last year, but to do it again...!" She shook her head. "Let's just say I'm glad *I* got out of our relationship last year."

Ouch. That one had a sting. I shifted my weight and frowned at her. "Look, whatever you think about me is up to you, but if you've got something IMPORTANT to say, why don't you say that now instead of wasting time bashing people."

Beth lifted her chin. "Fine then, I will." She glanced around the crowd and raised her voice. "On the day that Jana's necklace was stolen- last Thursday- I had just sat down in my last period class- science- when Mr. Naset called on me to take some papers he had down to another teacher. On my way back to class- which was right after the first bell rang- I happened to pass by the hall where the 8th grade lockers are. I wouldn't have probably even glanced down that way if I hadn't observed some commotion, which I soon noticed was Jana and Melanie making a break for gym class. I also saw Keith across from them at his own locker." Beth had been making eye contact with the students standing around while she told her story, but at this point she turned back and looked me straight in the eye. I stared right back.

"So? So what?" I replied, shrugging my shoulders. "I'm not going to lie- I was there. I've already said that and besides, Jana and Melanie obviously saw me there, too. I was at my locker then- I'm not going to deny it."

Beth took a breath before continuing on. "I was going to keep going to class, when I saw that Jana's locker didn't close when she had tried to kick it shut, and as she was late for class, she was in too much of a rush to notice it was still open. I half started down to close it, when I saw that Keith was already moving over to do that himself. I decided then to just keep going on my way, as I definitely- with reason- did not want to run into Keith," she made a face and the crowd tittered. I rolled my eyes. Honestly- how immature.

"Anyway," Beth continued. "I was starting to turn away when I saw Keith glance down the hall in the direction Jana had taken off, then seeing she was out of sight, reached *right into the bottom of Jana's locker* and take something shiny out." She paused dramatically as the crowd gasped, and my mouth dropped open. "Naturally, I kept watching to see what it was exactly and what he was going to do with it... almost unable to convince myself that he would take Jana's property right out of her locker."

I can't believe this!! I thought angrily, clenching my fists. For a slight moment, I thought maybe- just maybe- Beth had actually seen me take Jana's necklace, but with a lie like that, that I took it out of her locker! I knew now for sure that she wasn't telling the truth and was just trying to defend Jana and make me look bad at one time. She always HAD been a good actress.

"---it was then I noticed that Keith had her NECKLACE, the one she always wore, and after taking it right out of her locker, looked at it a moment, then put it into his pocket...."

"It was on the *floor*, not in her locker!" I snapped furiously, unable to hold my anger any longer. "I would never ever take something out of someone's lock-" Suddenly I stopped in the midst of my tirade, and then somehow managed to keep from slapping a hand over my mouth. OMG!! I had just said I'd taken it from the FLOOR!! I had admitted the truth out loud, without thinking!! How could I have let her get me that angry?!

"AHA!" Beth exclaimed, pointing her fingr at me and breaking into a wide smile. The crowd burst into mumblings and exclaimations while I prayed for the ground to swallow me whole. OMG. I couldn't believe it! I had just given myself away!! How could I have done that?! I felt slightly dizzy as I glanced around at all people staring at me wide eyed- including Jana.

"You- you..." she murmered, her mouth open. "You really DID steal my necklace. I mean, I knew you must have, but I almost didn't want to believe it... but... I..." She trailed off and shook her head slowly. I swallowed hard and looked away, never feeling so low in my life. It was one thing to actually steal the necklace, and another thing to have it completely come out in the worst way possible in front of the entire student body. Finally, I looked back up at Beth, who was still standing in the same position she'd been in a moment before, though now with her arms crossed across her chest and a triumphant look on her face. I felt anger wash over me again as I thought about how she'd trapped me. Whether she'd really seen me or not, she'd known how to get me to condemn myself, and I hated her all the more for it.

"You liar..." I seethed, aware that people weren't paying much attention now that the truth was out, and were in their little groups again, most likely gossiping about me and what a jerk I was.

"Me? *I'm* the liar?" She laughed coldy. "Who was it only 10 minutes ago insisted that Jana had GIVEN him the necklace as I token of affection, then moments ago admitted to stealing it right after she left the scene?"

"You weren't there," I snapped, even though I wasn't positive whether she really had been or not. "You just made it up to trap me... so you lied too."

"Then if that's the case, I must have guessed pretty accurately," she retorted. "Anyway, whether I lied or not, YOU'RE the one in the wrong. I was merely defending my best friend."

I started to say something else, but stopped. It was no use. I couldn't save myself now, so what was the point? I sighed and shrugged, saying slowly, "I was going to put it back, I was. I only picked it up at first to put it into her locker... I don't really know why I took it...."

"I don't either," Beth replied briskly. Then she pointed to Jana. "Now, give her her necklace back. This minute before I tell Mr. Bell everything. I don't think think you want to be grounded for TWO months, do you?"

I glared at her, but reached into my backpack, where I had put the necklace, anyway. Slowly I turned to Jana and dropped it into her hand.

"Sorry," I said softly, without looking at her. I couldn't have if I wanted to.

"So am I," she responded quietly. I nodded and turned back towards the school building and made my way to my locker. Defeated.