SVH08-Heartbreaker Read Online Free PDF Page A

even afraid to go swimming in our pool afterward!"
    Cara laughed. "That's because your pool is the size of the Pacific Ocean," she said, making reference to the conspicuousness of the Fowlers' wealth.
    "I don't believe in sharks," Tom said, nuzzling Jessica's cheek. "Only mermaids."
    "Are you implying there's something fishy about me?" Jessica twittered.
    "There's only one way to find out."
    Everyone laughed as Tom scooped her into his arms and carried her, kicking and squealing in protest, down toward the water.
    Patsy and Todd followed suit, racing side by side. Their laughter as they hit the water could be heard all the way up the beach.
    Suddenly Elizabeth felt like crying. She knew exactly how DeeDee must have felt when Bill abandoned her for Jessica.
    Elizabeth had wandered up to the parking area to retrieve her book from Todd's car when
    she spotted a bunch of girls piling out of a dusty green van driven by frizzy-haired Olivia Davidson, a friend who worked on the school paper with her. As she drew closer, Elizabeth spotted Lois Waller and Enid Rollins, too.
    Enid pushed her big, round sunglasses onto the top of her head as she greeted Elizabeth. Her green eyes narrowed to a squint as she took in her best friend's miserable expression.
    "You look like you've been crying," she noted with concern. "What's the matter, Liz?"
    "Oh, it's nothing." Elizabeth ducked her head. She was reluctant to confide in Enid in front of the other girls. Lois Waller made her a little uncomfortable--always trying so hard to impress people, to be in the center of things. And though Elizabeth liked Olivia very much, she just wasn't as close a friend as Enid. "I--I must have gotten some sand in my eye," Elizabeth fibbed.
    "The same thing happened to me the last time I was at the beach," Olivia recalled in sympathy. "Winston Egbert was clowning around as usual and accidentally kicked sand in my face. I thought I was going to go blind!"
    "Please--spare me the cracks about being blind," Lois chimed in, blinking behind the thick glasses she wore. They were always slipping down her nose, no matter how often she poked them back into place. "I can't even find my way out of the shower without my glasses!"
    They all laughed, and Elizabeth felt her mood lift slightly. But it sank down to her knees again as they neared the beach and she spied Todd and Patsy splashing around in the surf, batting foam at each other.
    "Isn't that Patsy Webber with Todd?" Olivia asked. "I heard she'd moved back into the area. Boy, has she changed!"
    "You know her?" Elizabeth asked.
    "When Patsy lived in Palisades, my cousin Amy lived down the street from her. Gosh, I can remember when Patsy was just a skinny kid. All bones. I never could figure out what Todd saw in her. It sure looks like she really filled out in all the right places, though. Wow, I can hardly believe it!"
    Elizabeth felt her heavy heart sink all the way down into her sandals.
    "Todd did say he and Patsy used to be pretty close," she recalled dispiritedly.
    "Close?" Olivia echoed. "Well, I guess that's one way of putting it."
    Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from crying.
    Enid laid a sympathetic hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, but that only made it worse. The lump in her throat swelled until she was afraid she was going to burst into tears at any second.
    "Liz, don't be upset. Todd and Patsy were together ages ago," Enid pointed out. "It's practically ancient history. You're the one he loves."
    "Enid's right," Olivia added quickly. "It
    was a long time ago. I'm sure Todd's forgotten by now that he was ever in love with her."
    All eyes followed Todd and Patsy as they frolicked in the water. Patsy's playful shrieks could be heard all the way up the beach.
    Elizabeth swallowed hard. "They were in love?" she repeated slowly, to make sure she hadn't misunderstood.
    Olivia reddened. "Oh, what's wrong with me? I think I must have terminal foot-in-mouth disease. I'm really sorry, Liz. I didn't mean to upset you. Listen, I