The Shore Read Online Free PDF Page B

figure we can each get half a shelf in the fridge for our own stuff, and community stuff can go in the door.”
    Curt opened the refrigerator and gestured toward the six-pack sitting in the middle of the top shelf. “Me and Ave’ll take the top shelf.”
    Avery winced. He was starting to sound a little drunk. What a great way to kick off their summer.
    â€œOkay, good,” Polly said. “I’ll take the left side of the middle shelf.”
    â€œWonderful,” Curt said with feigned enthusiasm. “I’m so glad we got that out of the way.”
    A door closed, and they turned to see Lucas come out of his room. He’d put on a bright yellow T-shirt with a picture of a surfboard on it. He saw Curt in the kitchen and came over to shake his hand. “Lucas Haubenstock,” he said.
    â€œCurt Wilson.”
    â€œI’m glad you’re here, Lucas,” Polly said. “We’re just having a roommate discussion.”
    â€œI’d really like to stay, but I have to get over to the surf shop,” Lucas answered. “My shift starts in ten minutes. Maybe someone could fill me in later?”
    â€œGnarly, dude,” Curt said facetiously.
    Lucas scowled at him, then waved good-bye. “Catch you guys later.”
    Polly looked disappointed, and Avery felt sorry for her. She was trying to do something good for all of them, but not getting very far.
    â€œGo on. What else?” Avery said, giving Polly some encouragement and ignoring the dirty look that Curt fired her way.
    â€œI think we should also discuss parties, noise levels, quiet hours, that sort of thing.” Polly had to raise her voice because of some sort of commotion outside—shouting and laughing. It sounded to Avery like a group of rowdy guys out on the street—maybe getting an early start on their partying. They didn’t pass by, though. Instead, they got louder as if approaching the front door.
    The front door swung open, and in walked a guy wearing a white Abercrombie polo shirt with the collar turned upand khaki cargo pants. He had dark brown hair, a beer in one hand, and seemed to be leading the group, gesturing grandly and waving his arms around as the others filed in behind him. Suddenly there were a dozen people in the living room all talking and laughing.
    â€œThese your new digs?” someone asked him.
    â€œIs right,” he answered as he surveyed the living room.
    â€œHey, nice,” said someone else.
    â€œWhere’s the stereo?” asked a third.
    â€œThere a CD player anywhere?”
    Polly, Avery, and Curt watched from the kitchen.
    â€œYou know any of these people?” Polly asked Avery and Curt, who shook their heads.
    A husky, broad-shouldered, football player type with a diamond stud in his ear came into the kitchen and looked in the fridge “Got any ice?”
    â€œWho are you?” Polly asked.
    â€œMartin, who are you?”
    â€œI’m Polly and I live here, do you?”
    â€œIn this dump? No way.”
    â€œCan I ask what you’re doing here?” Polly said.
    Martin gave her a strange look, then gestured at the crowd. “What’s it look like?”
    Just then two guys came in the front door carrying a half keg of beer.
    â€œHey, where’s the keg go?” one yelled.
    â€œAsk Owen.” The guy named Martin pointed at polo shirt guy.
    â€œThis is ridiculous!” Polly declared. Avery watched with surprise as she marched up to the guy named Owen. “Are these your friends?”
    â€œWho wants to know?” Owen asked with an amused look.
    â€œI do.”
    â€œAnd you are?”
    â€œPolly, and I live here.”
    â€œHey, roomie!” Owen grinned and raised his hand for a high five. “I’m Owen, and guess what? I live here too!”
    Polly didn’t high-five his hand. “So these are your friends?”
    Owen squinted at the crowd. “Well, let’s see. Some of them are .