The Shore Read Online Free PDF Page A

looked.
    “Didn’t look like any artwork I’ve ever seen,” Avery whispered.
    But from the sound of things, Fred was satisfied with the answer because he and Lucas moved on to other subjects.
    “He seems awfully nice for a stoner,” Polly said in a low voice, not that she’d known many stoners in her life.
    Avery nodded. “You never know.”
    The front door opened, and a girl walked in carrying a large blue backpack and a guitar case. She had long, straight black hair framing a pale face, and a silver nose stud. Her eyes were heavily mascaraed, and she wore a tight-fitting black shirt, high blacklace-up boots, and striped leggings under a black skirt cropped to reveal a belly button piercing.
    “It’s Morticia from the Addams Family,” Polly whispered, and Avery giggled.
    The new girl had not yet noticed Polly and Avery in the kitchen. Inside the front door she put down the guitar case and unslung the backpack. “Hello? Anyone here?”
    Avery watched as Fred left Lucas in his room, dashed across the living room, and greeted the new girl. “Hi, I’m Fred, the landlord,” he said.
    “April,” the new girl said, and offered her hand.
    “Here, let me help you.” Fred reached for her backpack. “Whoa!” It must have been heavier than he’d expected because he nearly fell over backward trying to pull it on.
    “Tell you what,” April said, taking the backpack from him. “You carry the guitar.”
    Avery and Polly watched as Fred escorted her upstairs.
    “Only one roommate left,” Avery mused out loud.
    “I thought there were two more,” Polly said. “I counted three girls and two guys.”
    “You missed Sabrina. She left before you got here.”
    “What’s she like?” Polly asked.
    Avery had some ideas, but wasn’t willing to go public just yet. “Uh, she’s got really pretty clothes.”
    “And?” Polly asked with a frown.
    “And she’s pretty,” Avery said awkwardly.
    Before Polly could press her any further, Fred came back downstairs.
    “Well, it looks like a great group of people,” he said, his voice sounding strained. “I’ve gotta go. Now, remember, if there are any problems with the house—any problems—just give me a call. My number’s on the fridge.”
    Fred excused himself and exited the front door. Avery and Polly were just finishing their water when the front door swung open and Curt strolled in carrying a six-pack of beer in his left hand and a half-empty bottle in a brown paper bag in his right.
    Avery narrowed her eyes. What is this new deal about drinking in the middle of the afternoon? And what happened to the rehearsal? Still, she was determined not to say anything that would get him mad. Not now, at the beginning of their summer together. Curt came into the kitchen, gave Polly a look, then pecked Avery on the cheek and deposited the six-pack in the fridge.
    “How’d the rehearsal go?” Avery asked.
    “Eh.” Curt shrugged. “Guys took off for the beach. We’re never gonna get anywhere if they don’t get serious.”
    “Well, it’s the beach and it’s new,” Avery said. “Maybe in another week it’ll be easier to get them to stay outside.”
    “Excuse me,” Polly said. “I’m just curious. Was that beer yours, or for everyone?”
    “Mine,” Curt answered with a scowl. “Oh, you want one?”
    “No, thanks,” said Polly. “I was just wondering how it’s going to work.”
    “How what’s going to work?” Avery asked curiously.
    “Well, like whose stuff is whose and what’s what,” Polly explained.
    Curt frowned at Avery as if he didn’t know what Polly was talking about.
    Avery had to admit that she wasn’t certain either.
    “Maybe we should set up regular roommate meetings,” Polly continued, “starting tonight so that we can all get to know one another and set some house rules. Most of us are here right now. We could get Lucas and April down here and discuss it.”
    “Lucas and April?” Curt repeated.
    “Two of our new roommates,”