How I Lost You Read Online Free PDF Page B

really. It’s okay, Brady.” I glanced over. She smiled the smile that melted hearts. “I can tell you’re not into this movie. Not everyone is. You should go and have fun with your friends. I’ll stay and keep Grace company.”
    She untangled herself and jumped up from my couch. My shoulder cooled from the sudden loss of her body heat. She walked to Brady, grabbed him by the hand, and pulled him to his feet. He slid his arm around her waist but she wiggled away. His mouth turned into a pout.
    â€œGo have fun with your friends,” she said. She pulled him out of the family room.
    â€œHow about tomorrow night?” I heard him ask. “Can we hang out then? Just the two of us?”
    I stared at the TV and tossed some more candies into my mouth.
    â€œGrace and I are working,” Kya told him as she walked him down the stairs. I heard a buzz of noise, and then the front door slammed and she returned a few minutes later without him.
    â€œWe aren’t working tomorrow night,” I told her. “You are so mean to boys.”
    â€œOnly the ones who let me.” She laughed. “Which is why I’ll always love you better.” She snuggled up beside me and we stared at the TV screen together, so many things unsaid.
    I tried to think of something comforting to say. To let her know I understood her reluctance to get emotionally close to a boy. “Buds before studs,” I said instead.
    â€œSisters before misters.” She rested her head on my shoulder and sighed. “You’re so much easier than a boyfriend.”
    â€œWatch who you’re calling easy,” I joked.
    She laughed and it reminded me of the first time we met.
    I was alone in my new bedroom, feeling sorry for myself when I heard a noise. Our house was on the corner of a cul-de-sac, and my bedroom window faced the right side of our yard. I peeked out the window and there they were on the trampoline. James and Kya. Having a blast. A noisy one.
    A minute later, Kya looked right into my window. Busted and embarrassed, I shrank down on my bed. My face burning. Hiding. When I peeked out the window again, she grinned and motioned to me. Waved her arms in the air as she bounced.
    â€œHey, new girl. We can see you. Are you going to watch all day, or are you going to come over and jump?” she yelled. I looked around my room. As if she might be talking to someone else. But I was the only new girl peeking out her bedroom window.
    My heart pounding with nerves and excitement, I slipped downstairs and slid open the sliding doors in the kitchen that led to the deck and the backyard. I walked to the middle of the grass and then stopped, looking around. I hadn’t thought it through very well, given the fence closing in our yard. It gave an illusion of privacy in the suburban wastelands.
    â€œClimb over,” Kya called from her yard.
    I sized up the fence. It wasn’t designed for climbing. I shook my head. “I’ll come around to the front on the street.”
    â€œCome on. Climb over. You’re already out here. It’s not hard. We’ll catch you,” Kya shouted.
    It was a test. One she didn’t necessarily want me to pass. I found out later how much Kya liked to test people.
    â€œCome on, new girl. Try,” Kya called.
    I could hear James protesting, trying to stick up for me.
    But the challenge trickled over the fence. And right there, I fell for her hard. Actually, I fell right on top of her. I climbed the fence and when I swung my leg over the top of it, my pant leg caught on a branch of lavender. I hung there until Kya grabbed my leg and yanked. Hard to say which was louder, the rip of my jeans or my shriek, and then I landed on top of Kya. Fortunately, she laughed. The crazy snort laugh didn’t suit her stunning looks but it was contagious. I started to laugh too and then James joined in. Lavender flowers came down with me and tickled at my skin, and when I