Calling Home — Michael Cadnum

An Edgar Award Finalist: A troubled teen accidentally kills his best friend and tries to cover up his crime

When the muggers come for Peter, he runs as fast as he can, cradling the 6 pack under his arm like it's the most valuable thing in the world. He looks over his shoulder for his friend Mead and sees he isn't running away. He's dancing with the muggers, dodging their attacks until all the thugs can do is laugh. Mead has a spark of life in him that shines through the ugliness of the 2 boys' lives. But Peter envies him, and each night, he numbs the pain with alcohol. It's a hard life, and it's about to get worse.
 
When Mead smashes Peter's prized bottle of cognac, Peter punches his friend in the face. Mead falls, hits his head, and dies. Unable to live with himself, Peter sinks deeper and deeper into an alcoholic haze as he tries to hide what he's done -- by impersonating the boy he killed.