Living With Regret Read Online Free PDF

to happen to me on the first day I choose not to listen.
    Maybe if I lie still, whoever it is won’t see me. Actually, who am I kidding? Toby just gave us away, and I’m as good as dead. It’s probably one of the strangers they always warn us to stay away from in school. What am I supposed to do now? If they offer me candy, I’m definitely not going to take it.
    “What do you think you’re doing out here?” From the voice, I know it’s just a kid, but I’m still too afraid to open my eyes. I’ve always been a little shy; Mom points it out to me all the time when I hide behind her in church.
    “I don’t need to tickle you to make sure you’re still breathing, do I?” he adds.
    With the threat looming over my head, I finally open my eyes. Most boys are gross, but this one is different. He’s cute, like one of those boys from the Disney Channel. He has to be a couple years older than me because he’s so tall, and his blond hair is long, curling around his ears. Even though I hate boys, I don’t mind looking at this one.
    “That gets ‘em every time,” he jokes, crouching down beside me.
    “What’s your name?”
    He shrugs. “Do you really want to know or were you just looking for something to say?”
    “Just wondering if I should run. If you offer me candy, I’m out of here,” I reply, using my arms to sit up.
    “You’re safe. My name’s Sam by the way. I just moved in next door.” Since I live out in the country, next door doesn’t really mean next door … the nearest house is almost a half-mile away, so neighbors are harder to keep tabs on.
    “My name’s Rachel. I live right back there,” I say, pointing my finger back toward our property. I’ve lived in the same house all my life, a huge two-story white traditional with a wrap-around porch. “How did you know I was over here?”
    He lies back in the grass, much like I’d been when he walked up. “I didn’t.”
    “Oh, do you come out here a lot?”
    “Nah, I walked out here yesterday and noticed how quiet it was. Seemed like a good place to come when I needed a break from my dad.”
    Lying back in the grass, I’m careful not to get too close to him. I can’t believe I’m staying here, but if he really wanted to harm me, he probably would have done it by now. “I’m hiding from my mom.”
    I turn my head, noticing his eyes are on me. I can’t take the serious way he looks at me so I look up to the blinding blue sky.
    “What’s with the dress?” he asks.
    “I had to play dress up for my mom’s friends. And for your information, I hate this stupid dress,” I say, pulling at the pink bow that wraps around my waist.
    “If you say so.”
    We remain quiet for several minutes, enjoying the sounds and sights of nature. It’s serene, almost like we’re living in a whole different world by ourselves. It feels strange because I barely know this kid, but it also doesn’t faze me like it probably should.
    After a while, I just can’t take the silence anymore. “Why did you need a break from your dad?” It’s none of my business, but I’m still curious.
    He blows out an audible breath, rolling onto his side. “You sure do ask a lot of questions.”
    “Not any more than you do,” I shoot back quickly. I’ve always been quick on my feet; you have to be when your dad’s a lawyer.
    “Point taken,” he says, rubbing his hand over his jaw. “My dad drinks a lot, and I think he hates this place, which is just making it worse.”
    “I’m sorry. Where did you move here from?”
    “Washington.”
    “Hmm, there’s probably not as much to do here.”
    He laughs. “That’s an understatement. We’ve moved a lot, though, so I’m used to it.”
    “What does your dad do?” I ask.
    “He builds things out of wood, mostly cabinets and furniture. What about your mom? What does she do?”
    I shrug. “Throws parties and stuff, I guess.”
    We spend the rest of the afternoon talking about the places he’s lived and what he liked to