Swept Away Read Online Free PDF Page A

probably best.
    Alejandro makes a move to go after Frankie. Tony stops him. 
    “He’s not worth it, man,” says Tony.
    Alejandro curses in Spanish—listing all the horrible injuries he’d like to inflict upon Frankie. 
    “Me too,” says Camilla. 
    “No one’s doing anything,” I say. “He’s my problem, not yours.”
    Camilla faces me. “I’m your best friend. Your problems are my problems, chica. Got that?”
    I smile. “Got it.” 
    Camilla and I kiss on the cheek, and then she departs, with Tony, on to class. They hold hands and kiss, along the way. I envy them.
    I turn to Alejandro, who’s still fuming, staring after Frankie. “No,” I tell him. “No,” I repeat, firmer.
    He’s still fuming. I kiss him, soft and sweet. “No,” I say again.
    He’s distracted, staring into my eyes. Good. 
    He kisses me back. “I’m crazy about you, Daria. I love you.” 
    The bell rings. I’m saved. “C’mon,” I urge. “Let’s get to class.”
     
     
     
     

At Last, You’ve Come Along
     
     
    “Why didn’t you say it back?” Camilla asks.
    We’re sitting in Chemistry class. 
    I shrug. “I could’ve said it, but I wouldn’t have meant it. I think he’s great, but love?”
    “So, you just said nothing?”
    “I said ‘let’s get to class,’” I defend.
    Camilla shakes her head. “I should knock some sense into you.”
    “I want to, Camilla, I do.  It’s just…”
    “You’re not ready. Yeah, I’ve heard that broken record for months now.”
    I remain silent. The teacher arrives and class starts. Vicki and Emily are huddled together, talking. The teacher reprimands them, and class continues. I’m following along—elements and all that—nose in my textbook, the pencil’s led swiping across the page in my notebook—when I feel it happening, again. I’m drowning. He’s here. 
    “Hey, are you okay?”
    I turn and see Camilla, concerned. I’m afraid I’m going to faint and I don’t want to do that in front of Vicki. I’ll never hear the end of it.
    “I think I need to go to the nurse,” I say.
    Camilla informs the teacher, who allows me to leave. Camilla wants to accompany me, but I politely refuse, assuring her that it’s nothing major, I’m fine. She doesn’t believe me, but acquiesces, and resumes her seat.
    I manage to stay erect, out of the classroom, and into the hallway. It’s deserted, thank goodness.
    The pressure is overwhelming, enough to make me sink to my knees. I try to walk when I crash into someone. A hand touches me, skin to skin. Someone is pulling me out of the depths. The darkness is gone.  I feel…alive. 
    “I’m sorry,” I apologize, looking down.
    I look up and see him .
    His eyes are blue like the ocean he rescued me from.
    “Are you all right?” he asks, in a foreign accent.
    I’m speechless. He smells like sun-baked sand. I close my eyes and fall.
    I feel arms around me, protective. I smell him. I open my eyes.
    “What happened?” I ask.
    “You fainted,” he says, still holding onto me.
    “Oh,” I say, unable to say any more. 
    “It was only for a little while. Are you all right? Should I call for help?”
    I shake my head. “No, no, I’m fine.”
    He smiles and lets me go. I should have lied. We stand there, assessing each other. I don’t know what he’s thinking. I’m thinking I’ve been wrong this entire time. I thought he was the one drowning me. But he’s here and I’m…well, I’m better. I’m above water.
    Who are you?
    “I’m Gabriel,” he says, as if reading my thoughts.
    “I’m Daria, nice to meet you,” I say. 
    “Well, if you’re well, then I need to find my class. I’m already late.”
    “Oh, okay,” I say, disappointed to see him go.
    “It was nice meeting you,” he says, in farewell.
    “You too,” I say. Will I see you again?
    We go our separate ways, until I stop, hearing him call my name.
    “Yes?” I say, thrilled.
    He hesitates, and then says, “What does ‘the answer is in the