Persuaded Read Online Free PDF Page A

face. “Yes. Do you think she looks different?”
    Why? Why does she do this? My breathing came in short, silent gasps.
    And then Gregory answered—brutally, horribly, and honestly. “Yeah, she looks a lot different. She’s changed so much I almost didn’t recognize her.”
    My heart shattered around my feet at Sydney’s answering snicker. It was her favorite question to ask people or relatives who hadn’t seen us for a while. I guess I should be grateful she didn’t ask him in front of me like she did with other people. What did I expect anyway? I know Gregory isn’t blind.
    “Come on,” Sydney said, sounding way too excited. “You’ve gotta see the theater room.”
    “No way. You guys have one of those rooms set up just for movies?”
    “Yeah, it’s in the basement. You’ll love it.”
    Slowly I uncurled my fingers from around the crumpled pages of the magazine. Even the pretty face of the supermodel scorned me from the safety of her ad. In disgust I tossed the publication aside and stood up. I straightened my fashionable shirt before walking over to the full-length mirror—an item my parents insisted was in every room in the house—to assess the damage.
    My hair was boring brown. My face lacked anything striking or memorable. There was nothing exciting about my figure. All in all, I was surprised people actually noticed me enough to talk to me. Everything seemed wrong. Everything.
    “Well, here’s the downstairs again.” My stepmom’s voice was full of enthusiasm.
    For the rest of the tour, I decided to hightail it out of the house and hang out in the backyard. Which wasn’t so bad, when you considered I had the fish in the koi pond to talk to until it was time to go.
    It was peaceful for a little while until I heard, “There you are, Amanda!”
    I looked up to see my stepsister coming toward me, looking upset . I must’ve been out there longer than I thought. I quickly sat up on the concrete bench.
    “What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? The Wentworths are waiting for us!” Sydney stopped about ten feet from me.
    “They are?” I asked stupidly.
    “No, I’m out here for my health. Come on!” With an angry flounce she began to march back to the house.
    I followed behind slowly.
    Sydney was still venting. “I swear! You knew we were supposed to be going with them. Don’t you know it’s rude to make people wait for you?”

    Twice tonight I felt his eyes on me. Twice, I knew he was watching me intently. I’m not sure why, but it was enough to keep his interest for several seconds. There were three times when our eyes met. And once we held for a moment before I looked away. The only time he studiously avoided me, the only time I could tell he wished to be anywhere than at that table so near me, was when he answered our parents’ teasing remarks. The awkwardness and tension in those moments nearly gave me a heart attack.
    “So, Gregory, I hear you are here for the summer to help your father. Are you planning on going on any dates soon?” my dad asked with a subtle wink at Sydney.
    His mom was quick to join in. “Come on, Gregory, you have to tell us. There sure are tons of pretty girls in this city. You could find one to fall in love with. Don’t you think, dear?” She turned to her husband. “Out of all of Farmington, there has to be a girl he notices.”
    Gregory’s jaw clenched before he smiled a half smile and let out a forced, short laugh. He didn’t speak, but shook his head slightly in response.
    My stepmom chuckled. “Don’t sell yourself short, Gregory. You’re really cute, you know. It’s all the Farmington girls are talking about. I’m sure there are plenty of them that would love to go out with you. So, what do you look for in a girl? Let us find someone for you.”
    “Yes. That’s perfect,” exclaimed his mom. “What’s your type?”
    Even Sydney added her two cents. “Yeah, tell us.”
    Gregory laughed, and to anyone who didn’t know him, he probably