House at the End of the Street Read Online Free PDF

road, until the car rolled to a stop in her driveway. They sat there for a minute before either of them spoke.
    “It’s so quiet here,” Elissa said, rolling down the window to get some fresh air. The rain had finally stopped. Ryan cut the headlights and they sat alone in the dark. “Not like where I used to live.”
    “It’s even quieter at dawn,” Ryan said. He adjusted himself in his seat, moving just the slightest bit closer to her.
    “What are you doing up that early?”
    “I sit out back, and I just write. Mostly stories. It feels easier. I like that time of day, because everyone is still asleep, it’s like all the best thoughts haven’t been taken yet.” He turned to her, his dark eyes meeting hers. “Do you know what I mean?”
    She watched as he studied her, his eyes falling for a moment to her collarbone, then to her tank, the wet fabric clinging to her skin. “Life’s good when the rest of the world sleeps,” she said. She looked down, noticing that their fingers were just a few inches apart. “Thanks for the ride, Ryan.”
    “You’re welcome,” he said softly, handing over her backpack. Elissa strode across the front lawn, feeling lighter than she had all day. Everything that had happened at Caitlin’s house seemed less painful now. Ryan Jacobsenwas normal, nice…even a little sexy. Had she imagined it, the way he studied her, as though she were something to be devoured? He’d looked at her with those brown eyes, leaning in, their faces just a foot apart.
    As she started up the steps, she turned back one last time. Ryan was still there, still leaning across the seat, watching her bound into the house.
No
, she thought, a smile curling her lips.
I definitely didn’t imagine it.
    I nside, the house was quiet. Elissa set her bag down and moved into the kitchen to search the fridge for something edible. The shelves were mostly empty. There was still some leftover spaghetti, a jar of pickles, American cheese slices, and some unidentifiable cold cuts—salami? Roast beef? She wasn’t sure. She pulled the cheese out, rolling it up the way she used to when she was a kid. Even with some food in her, she still felt off. Her stomach was unsettled. She had a slight headache—a reminder of the party, the pink lemonade–vodka concoction, and what had happened with Tyler.
    Tyler. It made her sick, thinking of his hands on her, how he’d tried to pin her down on the bed. He’d been so sure that she wanted him, that he was making her night by forcing himself on her. How many other girls had he done that to? And had she been one of the few to fight back?
    She glanced at the clock: 9:53. In less than twelve hoursshe would be back at school, alone, trying to make small talk with the goth girl who sat next to her in English. If today had been hard, tomorrow would be worse. Now she had to watch out for Caitlin get-out-of-my-house Aberdeen, or Tyler’s group of stoner friends. She thought of the crowd that had stood by the bottom of the stairs, laughing as she fought Tyler for her phone. She could still feel their eyes on her.
    She was thinking about Tyler, about everything, when her mom came down the stairs. The sound of Sarah’s footsteps startled her. “I didn’t know you were home,” Elissa said. “I didn’t see your car outside.”
    Sarah came up beside her, resting her hand on Elissa’s back. She was still in her work scrubs. “Best thing about the new house—the garage. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    “No…I’m fine,” Elissa said, feeling anything but. Whatever momentary excitement she’d felt about meeting Ryan had vanished, giving over to a sense of dread.
    “Did Tyler’s mom drop you off? I wanted to say hi.” Sarah peeled a piece of cheese from the pile and took a bite.
    “No.…” Elissa looked away, wondering for a second if she should tell Sarah what had happened. “Ryan Jacobsen gave me a ride.”
    Sarah straightened up, a stern expression crossing her