The Girl Who Fell Read Online Free PDF Page A

always. I don’t drink. Control issues.
    â€œCaptain Fantastic!” Shane Taylor calls. He’s manning the keg, handing out cups. He fills one, passes it to me. “You drink for free tonight, Zephyr Doyle.” Shane swims in his own smile.
    â€œThanks.”
    He raises his cup in a toast. “Legendary.”
    â€œTold you,” Lizzie says, nudging me.
    â€œRight as usual.”
    Someone walks behind me, pats me on the back. “Great game, Doyle.”
    I look at Lizzie and laugh. “When did students at Sudbury start giving a shit about field hockey?”
    â€œIt’s not the game, Zee. It’s the fame. Everyone wants to be affiliated with a winner. Tonight, you’re a winner.”
    Lani bounces in front of us and I have to take a step back from her energy. “Great game, Zephyr.”
    â€œThanks.”
    But Lani’s looking past me. “Is Slice here?”
    â€œNo clue.”
    â€œOh. Okay. Well . . . Can you tell him I’m looking for him when you see him?”
    â€œWill do.”
    â€œOkay, see ya!” Lani cheers and bounds off.
    â€œBeing ignored by Lani Briggs could be the biggest compliment of my life,” Lizzie says.
    â€œHah! If I could be so lucky.” I search the crowd. “I do suspect Gregg’s behind this jock marketing campaign, though.”
    â€œYeah, well, he’s here somewhere. Nowhere else to go in Suckbury.”
    â€œI know, right.”
    We duck into the house, where I dump my beer and fill my cup with water to disguise the fact that I’m a total party dork. The rooms are packed and the music is too loud, and when Lizzie tells me she needs to use the facilities, I need air. “Meet me outside when you’re done.” I have to scream to be heard over Rihanna. Lizzie nods and I head out to our spot at the edge of the lawn, turn my back to the evergreens and feel comfortable hiding in the shadows. I like the distance. From here, I spy the already-wasted football team pooled around the kegs and the girls fawning. And Alec.
    He leans against the house, three girls hanging on his every word. I can see their smiles and their too many hair flips. I lean forward, pulled by warped interest.
    â€œHey!” Gregg appears behind me and I jump. Cold water splashes over my wrist. “Man, what is with you lately?”
    I blot the water off my skin with my jacket sleeve. “What do you mean?”
    â€œYou were jumpy in French class too.” I smell the beer on his breath, recognize the way his words stumble out slower than usual.
    â€œDon’t sneak up on me and I won’t jump.”
    â€œSo . . . o . . . rry.” He bats his eyes. “Forgive me, Zeph?”
    â€œAlways.”
    He takes a sip of beer, looks out into the crowd. “Where’s Lizzie?”
    â€œBathroom break. But Lani’s looking for you.”
    â€œYeah? How come?”
    â€œProbably because she’s in love with you.”
    â€œNot my type.” He swigs another sip. “So how are you enjoying your fame?”
    I fan my arm around my deserted space. “I prefer the sidelines.”
    â€œNot comfortable with stardom? Inconceivable. How is it that we’re friends, again?”
    â€œHilarious.” I throw an eye roll.
    â€œWell, I think you had an amazing season.”
    I shift my feet, uncomfortable. I’m not the hugest fan of compliments, something Gregg knows. “I had help.”
    â€œOh right. I forgot that you’re blandly ordinary and your team pretty much carried you.” He smiles over the ridge of his cup.
    â€œYour accuracy is impressive.” I nod toward the house. “Looks like Alec’s making friends.” Two of the girls have moved closer to Alec. “So is it true he got expelled for having a girl in his dorm?”
    â€œFact. Why? Is that important?”
    â€œNot to me. Lizzie’s writing an