The Truth about Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

a photo of you. He’d post it everywhere. And that is not what you need to start your senior year. You have to stop doing that on the phone.”
    She laughs. “Yeah. Fair enough. Okay. No more phone flashing. But this is fun. Join me. Be free!”
    â€œMe?” I laugh at the absurdity and put her phone down.
    â€œYes. Otherwise you’ll have weird tan lines that will mess up your hot new dress.”
    I giggle and jump up and down, and in a sane part of my mind, I sense it’s a little manic but don’t even care. “I bought it!” I scream again. “Oh my God. I bought it.”
    â€œCome on, Jess. Show me your boobies!”
    Can I do that? Can I? I suck in a breath as if I’m eight and have just been caught with chocolate stains all over my fingers after being told to stay out of the chocolate chip bag. “But what if your brother comes back?”
    â€œHe’s at work,” she says dismissively, lifts her hands, and twirls around on the deck. “It’s so American to be repressed about topless sunbathing.”
    â€œYeah. But we are American!” I shout.
    â€œIt’s no big deal. I was half-naked the whole time I went to Saint Martin.”
    â€œBecause you have great boobs,” I say. I’ve hated my boobs since eighth grade when Johnny Ryan announced to everyone that my boobs were saggy. I’ve worn a padded bra ever since. Preferably a push-up one.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous. Your boobs are fabulous,” she says. “They don’t have to be big to be beautiful.” Nance twirls again. “Don’t leave me topless all alone. It’s more fun with someone else.”
    â€œYou always do it,” I remind her. “Last night, you were all party of one while you were flashing those boys.”
    â€œBoring,” she says. “You are boring.”
    â€œNot boring,” I tell her and sit up straighter. I take another swig of my cooler. What’s the big deal? I mean besides baring my boobs to the entire world. Well. Nance’s backyard.
    â€œJess-I-cup,” she sings.
    â€œNo,” I tell her.
    â€œYou’re not scared, are you?”
    Grr. Nance knows the buttons to push.
    â€œBock, bock, bock,” she says, imitating a chicken.
    â€œNot scared.” I reach around my back, then I pull my fingers back away. “No. I can’t!”
    â€œFree yourself!” she chants. “Lose your inhibitions.”
    I shake my head. “I can’t.”
    â€œYou can! Free those boobies!”
    I shake my hands. Breathe in and out, in and out quickly.
    â€œYou can do it!” she says. “Go, Jess!” she cheers. “Go!”
    I can’t. I have saggy boobs. But also, I’m kinda drunk.
    â€œFree them!” she squeals.
    It makes me laugh. I’m tired of myself. I don’t want to be like the little girl next door, clutching my chalk and trying to hide my feelings. I squeeze my eyes closed, pump my fists in the air, and try hard to rock my inner Girls Gone Wild vibe. “Okay, okay!” I squeal as my fingers fumble over a knot. “Oh my God!” I say. “What is wrong with me?”
    â€œShow me your boobies,” Nance chants.
    There’s a weird humming noise coming from my throat as I struggle to undo the knot, and then it gives and I pull off my bathing suit top and fling it for good luck. It flies through the air, and I watch in horror as it lands way too far away, in the middle of the yard on the grass.
    â€œOops!” I say and stare at it, covering my boobs with my hands.
    Nance is laughing so hard, tears drip from her eyes. “I can’t believe you did it!” she yells.
    Actually, neither can I.
    â€œGirls?”
    I blink. Holy crap.
    â€œNance,” says Mrs. Green. “What the hell is going on here?”
    As if she’s got magical powers, Nance’s mom is suddenly standing on the deck. She’s wearing her