Seventh Mark (Part 1 +2) Read Online Free PDF

We’d parked along a line of trees with a sandy beach
off to the right. “Sorry.” I fumbled with the catch in my seat
belt, trying to get out as fast as I could, heat burning my face
and neck.
    Michael got out
and held his seat back forward so Grace could crawl out, their
heads bent close, talking quietly. His face was etched with
concern, but I couldn’t miss Grace mutter, “I can take care of
myself -- and Rouge.”
    Michael set his
lips in a thin line. “Fine. Have fun.” He jumped into the Mustang
and sped away.
    “Everything all
right?” Too bad they fought. I wouldn’t have minded trying to talk
to him, or simply having him near would’ve been fine with me.
    “We’re good.”
Grace pulled on my jacket and pointed toward the noise on the
beach. “Michael’s a little, um, overprotective. Caleb’s made him
that way. Michael worries way too much about me, and it’s obvious
he doesn’t want you to get hurt either. He likes you. He just won’t
admit it yet.”
    “What?” I
stopped walking and put my hand on her forearm. My heart skipped
every other beat.
    “He’s my
brother. Trust me, he likes you.” She rolled her eyes. “The look on
his face was priceless when he walked into my room. You’re
definitely going to make some first impressions this evening
too.”
    I’d rather hang
out by the shadows. However, if Michael might be interested, I
think could handle a little spotlight. My face scorched. “You sure
about Mi—”
    “Positive.”
Grace laughed. “Come on. Let me introduce you to our senior class,
and I’ll point out the cute boys. We might as well make Michael
jealous while we’re here.”
    We made our way
through the parked cars towards the music. Someone had attached
huge stereo speakers to a pickup backed onto the sand. Outdoor lawn
torches, which also seemed to keep the bugs at bay, were set up to
maximize lighting the area. Lawn chairs lay scattered around the
fire pit and small groups were all over the place.
    “So, which one
of these cliques is yours?” I wished I’d just worn a sweatshirt and
no makeup.
    “I kind of
float around. We've lived here three years, and I still kind of
feel like the new girl.”
    Definitely a
popular girl . Grace had no idea what being the new girl
actually meant.
    Skipping the
pathway, we climbed over large boulders and jumped the three foot
drop onto the beach. Somehow, Grace had gotten her shoes off before
we landed, her feet barely making an impression in the sand. My
Mary Janes filled instantly with the cool particles, but I chose to
keep them on.
    “Heads up!”
    A football flew
in our direction. I ducked out of the way while Grace caught it
with one hand, not even pausing in her stride. A cute, dark-haired,
athletic-looking boy came jogging up.
    “Nice catch,
G!” He skidded to a stop. “Whoa, wait a moment. Who’s the new
hot-chick?”
    “Simon, your
ball.” Grace tossed the football expertly. “This is Rouge.”
    Simon bowed
dramatically. “Welcome to Port Q High’s unofficial
before-school-starts official party night.” He held out his
hand.
    “Hey.” This guy
babbled like a girl back at my old high school who drank Red Bull
all the time.
    “Let me
introduce you to the rest of the gangstas.” He grabbed Grace’s and
my hands, pulling us over to the group of guys waiting for the
football. “This is Tommy, Damon, Sean and Jake.” Except for one,
all were similar build to Simon. The other guy was absolutely huge
with these dark, almost black eyes. He seemed to be shooting
daggers at Grace.
    I stepped close
to Grace. “What’s with the big guy?”
    “He’s
interested. I’m not.” She rubbed her forehead with the back of her
hand, making an “L” shape with her fingers. “Loser,” she
whispered.
    Simon stuck
close by me, trying his best to entertain. Twenty minutes later, I
needed space to breathe. I tried to catch Grace’s attention, but
she was chatting away with Sean or Jake, I couldn’t remember which
one.