Rumors Read Online Free PDF Page A

moment.
    After
cutting through Shane’s ornate neighborhood, I could see we were
approaching an enormous, luscious golf course. Some of it was well
lit by huge floodlights, probably for security, while dimmer areas
relied on the luminous moon.
    “ So, what do you think?” Shane asked, taking in the view from
beside me.
    It was
the most gorgeous golf course I’d ever seen. “I can’t believe you
have your very own golf course inside your neighborhood,” I said,
disbelief etched in my voice. It wasn’t like I grew up without
money or anything. I knew Dad spoiled us, too—sometimes it seemed
to be his way to make up for divorcing Mom three years ago. Even
still, to have this huge golf course in the center of your
community was unreal.
    Shane
stepped onto the perfectly groomed grass. I followed.
    “ Are we allowed out here?” I asked, looking around at the
quiet course void of people.
    “ Of course not,” Shane answered, his steps unfaltering. “But,
are you seeing this place? It’s huge. They can’t watch all of it at
the same time. Come on.”
    We
trailed quietly, ditching the homes behind us and delving deeper
into the golf course. Passing through a few hills, we situated
ourselves on top of one mound with a gathering of trees. Hiding in
the shadows, I pulled my knees up to my chest for warmth, resting
my arms around my knees. The spectacular view of the lake lay
before us, reflecting the yellow glow of the moon.
    “ I wonder how many golf balls would be found in the lake if
someone drained it?” I asked aloud, picturing the thousands of
golfers who had run this course over time.
    “ Good question. Let’s go find out,” Shane said, jumping to his
feet. He grabbed my hand and pulled me up.
    I dug my
feet into the ground when he tried tugging me down the hill. “What?
No way!” I shouted, though a laugh escaped my protest. Shane’s hand
covered my mouth, his body stepping into mine.
    “ Shh! Do you want us to get caught?”
    With
muffled objections, I reached up with both my hands, pulling on his
forearm to make him release me. He chuckled, not letting
go.
    Ok, he asked for it.
    Twisting
my face, I bit his finger—hard.
    “ Ow!” Shane pulled his hand away, shaking his right hand and
examining his finger. “You’re a little beast!” Despite his amused
tone, I knew the bite must have hurt.
    I
grinned wickedly in satisfaction. “That’ll teach you to put your
hands on me like that,” I said.
    “ You’re a fighter,” Shane concluded, shaking his head at me.
“That’s good. It’ll get you far in life.”
    I
dropped my smile, his choice of words hitting home.
    Fighter.
    That’s
how everyone described me after the drowning accident last
summer.
    “ It’s a good thing she’s a fighter ,”
I heard everyone say at the hospital when I pretended to be asleep,
not wanting to face anyone or answer the questions that they wanted
answers to. “She could have died,
too. ”
    I was a
fighter. I knew I’d put up a good fight against the tumultuous
river—but so had Maddie. She had more fight in her than I did. She
should have survived. If only I hadn’t—
    “ Allie…” Shane ventured closer, noticing my sudden change in
demeanor. I knew what he could see—the emotionally broken parts of
me displayed on my face, weighing heavily on my shoulders. My
posture would appear slightly hunched, as if I struggled to carry a
load—and my hazel eyes, most of all, would be void of the
glistening laughter from moments ago. I knew how I looked because
I’d seen those sorrowful eyes, accusing me from my own reflection,
for months.
    “ I’m sorry,” Shane said, his voice apologetic and touched with
confusion. “What did I say?”
    I shook
my head, my eyes casting to the ground. He was oblivious to the
impact of his words, probably not even considering that I was
thinking about Maddie. Thoughts of the accident often hit me out of
nowhere. It wasn’t Shane’s fault. Like everyone else, he lived