Fragments Read Online Free PDF Page B

the extra attention he did pay into getting that heart right. I continued to stroke my arms back and forth in the river contemplating what they had just said. “Nah, I’m not his type. He’s too hot. You guys want to go and eat some Pringles?” I was hoping to distract them from discussing this further.
    “Who’s too hot?” Alex asked, right behind me. I flinched as my hand flew up against my chest with a fright.
    “For fuck’s sake, Alex, warn a girl, would ya?”
    He ignored my comment and looked at Theo.
    “Who’s she talking about?”
    I looked directly at Theo and mouthed, don’t you dare , but Alex caught me. 
    “What’s going on?”
    Then as he looked at me, a slow smile started forming on his face.
    “Oh, Bea-Bea has a crush? Is that it?”
    My face darkened with embarrassment and then my friends laughed aloud. Traitors.
    “I don’t even know him; he’s cute, that’s all. Please don’t tell Robbie,” I pleaded.
    “S’okay Bea, you’re allowed to crush. Just don’t let him hurt you, okay?” His hand rubbed my shoulder as I rolled my eyes. It was bad enough having one overprotective brother, and Alex always felt like another. 
    “Thanks, Alex. Can we stop talking about this? I want to swim around, not just paddle in the shallow end.” With that, I turned and dove away, swimming to the farther end of the lake. My trio of traitors followed me, and Alex stayed where he was. Robbie approached him with Rach who must have just arrived. Poor Alex, he was about to be the third wheel.
    “We are so talking about this,” Trin muttered. “We need a plan to get you guys to pash. Sweet sixteen and never been …”
    I launched at Trinity, covering her mouth. With that, all thoughts of swimming went away as us young kids—except Theo who just rolled his eyes at Trin’s theatrics—planned out my first kiss with Kyle.
    “Yeah, that’s right,” Trin teased. “You’ve pashed before. My mistake!” She winked. 
    Cheeky cow! 
    Our Saturday continued like most did during the hotter months. We overstayed in the lake, watching our hands and feet prune, followed by eating Mamma’s homemade pizza. It was too hot for a bonfire, but the nights were cooler, so we would lie on picnic rugs on the grass and stargaze, spinning tales of all sorts of dreams and ideas that we had. Trin and Theo decided that after school they would take a year off and explore the world. Both were adventurous, despite Theo looking like a recluse. His blue eyes were so expressive, but he often used the front part of his dark hair to flick over them. He usually wore torn jeans and dark shirts.
    “How’s that solo of yours going, Trice?” Hazel asked, rolling onto her side and snatching the final chip.
    “Yeah, I’m getting there. There’s just so much pressure, you know?” I murmured.
    “Babe, if anyone is going to snatch up that position at the academy—it’s you.” Trin clapped, flicking my forearm, and rewarding me with her killer smile.
    “You, babe, are going places. Nail the routine, get the place and train up for Melbourne!”
    “Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled. “Piece of cake. Why am I so stressed?” I flicked my hair over my shoulder feign indifference. “It’s not like it’s my whole future or anything. It’s not like I’m competing against thirty other girls!” 
    “Trice, I think you need to lighten up, sweets,” Hazel cooed and reached forward to squeeze my hand. “You will be fine.” I squeezed hers back and nodded. They were both right. I loved dancing and knew that I was pretty decent; however I had doubts over whether or not it would lead into a career that would take me away. And that was what I wanted. I was tired of this town.    
    Both Robbie and Alex were keen to head to the city after their final year, though Robbie was undecided about what he wanted to do. Alex had always shown an interest in physiotherapy. Robbie often joked that Alex just wanted to do that to feel up the babes, but I