Seven Tears at High Tide Read Online Free PDF

he enunciates the words carefully.
    â€œYeah, that’s me.” Kevin is growing more curious by the minute. He doesn’t remember if he introduced himself yesterday, but it’s possible. “Who’re you?”
    The boy nods and does a funny little dip that might be con­strued as a bow. “I am Morgan,” he says, looking unwaveringly at Kevin. Morgan’s eyes are a bright, warm brown, flecked with gold and green.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you…?” Kevin is not sure what to do. Morgan stands in the hallway, alternating between smiling at him and looking at the faded peach wallpaper, the paintings on the walls done by Kevin’s sister and the shoes scattered in the entryway.
    Morgan must have asked around for his address to return the sweater. But he seems to be wearing the sweater quite happily and looks as if he has no intention of returning it.
    â€œCome, it is low tide by the coves now. We can go questing for the rocks you spoke of,” Morgan says, extending his hand.
    Kevin just stares at him. “Give me a second—I’ll be right back.” Kevin darts to the living room where his mother is settled on the couch with a stack of essays she has started to grade.
    â€œMom, why did you say he was my boyfriend?”
    She raises her eyebrows. “He was very polite and introduced himself with ‘I love Kevin Luong,’” she says, looking at Kevin over the papers in her hand. “I just thought you hadn’t introduced him to us yet, sweetie. I’m very happy for you.” She sighs. “Ah, young love.”
    â€œMom, I don’t—we’re not—I only met him yesterday. He got pulled under in a current and I helped him out.” Did Morgan really tell his mother that he loved Kevin? “I don’t even know how he found out where we live.”
    â€œThat’s not too difficult, especially with your name, you know.”
    Kevin must have introduced himself to Morgan.
    â€œI wouldn’t worry about it. All anyone has to do is ask where Professor Luong lives,” Rachel says. “So the kid has a crush on you after you rescued him. I don’t blame him; you’re a great catch. What I don’t get is why you’re still here talking to me when a very cute boy is waiting for you in the hallway.”
    Okay, so she has a point . Morgan is very cute, even if a little weird. And going back to studying seems very unappealing.
    â€œFine.” Kevin runs to his room and changes into his swim trunks, rubs on some sunscreen and darts back to the front door, where Morgan is crouched, staring at the shoes.
    â€œMy family has a thing about shoes in the house.”
    â€œSo many different adornments.” Morgan seems fascinated by the pile of shoes and pokes at the haphazard knots on the laces of Kevin’s hiking boots.
    â€œYeah, we do have a lot of shoes. I should put some of these away; I don’t even wear this pair anymore.” Kevin shoves aside a pair of old tennis shoes.
    Morgan holds his hand out to Kevin as though he’s expecting a handshake, so Kevin takes it to be polite, but then Morgan just holds on. His skin is cool to the touch, an unexpected pleasant contrast to the heat of the day.
    Kevin blushes and lets Morgan lead him out the door.
    â€œLook, I hope you don’t think this is a date, or anything,” Kevin says as they walk toward the shore.
    Morgan gives him a strange look. His brown hair looks a lot lighter in the sun, as if it’s drying. Was it wet earlier?
    He doesn’t respond to Kevin’s statement, just stares back. Kevin keeps the eye contact, waiting for an answer.
    Morgan’s round cheeks are starting to pink in the sun; his freckles stand out prominently, scattered generously like stars.
    Kevin catches himself staring and decides to break the silence before it gets weird. “All right, I guess not. Why did you tell my mom you loved me? You only met