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knees smashed up against her chest. “Hey, isn’t that…,” Brice says.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWell, somebody should go over and say hi. She looks lonely.”
    â€œPlease,” I say. “Don’t encourage her.”
    â€œShe still on your shit list?”
    â€œShe will never not be on my shit list.”
    He gives me that annoying look that says he thinks he knows me better than I know myself. I look over at Laura for a little moral support.
    â€œBrooke isn’t the only one who doesn’t like her,” Laura jumps in. “She’s basically a leper with the whole school.”
    â€œAll the more reason to stage a rescue.” Brice makes a move to go over. Before he can get away, I reach up and grab the plate of burgers out of his hand. Laura squealsand jumps up, knocking over her chair.
    â€œLeave Kathryn alone,” I tell Brice. “Or I’ll toss it overboard.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t,” he says.
    â€œOh no?” I walk to the side of the pool and hold the burgers over the water. Suddenly the wind picks up and a beach ball rolls across the concrete from the gazebo.
    I have a better idea.
    â€œYou know what?” I say. “Now that you mention it she does look kind of lonely. Why don’t you get her in the water for some volleyball?”
    Brice smiles. “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” he says. “I knew you were hiding Nice Brooke somewhere.”
    He jumps into the water and starts wading over to where Kathryn is sitting. I give Laura a little shrug before calling after him.
    â€œDon’t let her tell you she doesn’t want to play! Kathryn’s shy. She needs to loosen up.”

KATHRYN
    â€œ HEY, KATHRYN! CATCH!” A BEACH ball hits me in the chest and then plops into my lap. I look up to see Brooke’s older brother Brice bobbing in the water in front of me.
    â€œVolleyball,” he says brightly. “Come on in!”
    â€œThat’s okay,” I tell him. “I’m no good at it.”
    â€œI don’t believe you. You tell me you suck, you get in here and prove it.”
    I’m torn between flustered and flattered. It’s nice to be included, especially by somebody like Brice, who is something of a legend at our school. But then I wonder: Is he asking because he really wants me to play, or…I look over at Brooke, who is staring straight at me.
    â€œCome on, Kathryn!” Brice says. Over his shoulder I see Brooke suddenly stride to the edge of the pool.
    â€œI’ll play!” she shouts, and dives into the deep end.
    I look for Matt, but he’s still on the other side of thepatio. I’m about to stand and walk away when a pair of arms grabs me about the waist. It’s Tim McNamara again—I know because my nose is pressed flat up against Marvin the Martian. All I can register is mild surprise as he lifts me up and heaves me into the pool.
    I hold my breath as we crash into the water. We’re under only a second before Tim pulls me up and sets me on my feet. My hair is soaked, my heart racing, and my makeup is probably running down my face, but my feet are touching the bottom and the water isn’t too deep, so I try to shake off the panic. I play along because now that I’m here there is no way to get out without making a scene. The splash must have caught Matt’s attention because he’s watching from the side now, just as trapped as me; if he tries to help, then everybody will know my secret.
    They’re all in the pool now, grouped on either side of a volleyball net that seems to have sprouted out of nowhere. The game gets going and I try to keep calm as people leap and dive around me, chasing the big, pink beach ball. Everything goes okay until it’s Brooke’s turn to serve. Her aim is impeccable—every single serve comes straight at me. The first couple of times I duck, letting somebody else lob the ball back.