Two Steps Back Read Online Free PDF

creative about how to do the story. If Ava wasn’t willing to be interviewed, then maybe she could get Coach Kenerson, and Corey, and some of Ava’s teammates to talk. And maybe she could surprise the athletic director of Briar Ridge School with a camera on his way into work one morning, catch him off guard, the way some of those hard-hitting news programs did.
    Alex turned to her computer and typed up the idea, her fingers flying with excitement. Then she sent it off to Marcy Maxon.

    Later that evening, Luke came over for a tutoring session with Ava.
    â€œWhy don’t you two work in the study tonight, rather than at the kitchen table?” suggested Mrs. Sackett, after Luke had finished greeting Moxy, who’d gone wild with delight upon seeing him again. “That way you won’t be constantly interrupted.”
    Ava thought that was a good suggestion, considering how frequently Alex had found reasons to traipse through the kitchen the last few times Luke had been there.
    â€œOkay, so how’s pre-algebra going?” asked Luke, as soon as they were settled next to each other at the desk in the study, and Moxy had shimmied her way under the desk at their feet.
    â€œSo-so, I guess,” said Ava. She curled her bare toes into Moxy’s fur. Moxy heaved a contented sigh. “During class, I get bogged down taking notes. By the time I finish writing down what the teacher said, she’s moved on to the next thing, and—”
    There was a hesitant knock at the door, and Alex walked in.
    â€œSorry to interrupt you, Ava,” she said. “Oh! Hi!” She acted surprised to see Luke.
    Yeah, right. Ava knew that Alex had known full well Luke was coming tonight.
    â€œBy the way, Ave, have you seen my library book?”
    Ava’s eyes narrowed. Alex had changed out of the comfy flannel pants and T-shirt that she’d been wearing at dinner, and now wore her new blue shirt and formfitting jeans. Ava could also see that she had sparkly pink lip gloss on. “No, Alex,” she sighed. “I haven’t seen your book.”
    â€œOh! There it is!” said Alex brightly, and strode to the side table next to the couch. “Thought I’d left it in here. Oh, whoops!”
    The book seemed to jump out of her hands. It landed on the floor next to Luke, who stooped to retrieve it for her.
    â€œ Circuitry Fun , huh?” he said, reading the title as he handed it over. “Little light reading?”
    â€œSince when do you read books about circuitry?” asked Ava.
    â€œOh, I just thought it looked interesting,” said Alex with a little laugh. She turned to Luke. “I’ll bet you know all about circuitry,” she said. “Have you formulated a simplified way to evaluate high-speed switching circuits?”
    Luke blinked at her. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
    Alex tried to laugh it off, but Ava could see she was mortified.
    â€œFunny coincidence, though,” Luke continued. “Because just the other day I had to slog through a chapter on circuitry for my physics homework. It’s tough going if you’re not into that sort of thing. I’m more of an English and history guy, I admit.” He bopped Ava playfully over the head with his pencil. “Although I think I can handle helping this one with her pre-algebra.”
    He turned back to the book, and out of the corner of her eye Ava watched Alex trudge dejectedly out of the room.
    It couldn’t be. Could it? Ava thought. Was it possible that Luke was the guy Alex thought had a crush on her? It was obvious from a million miles away that Alex had a major crush on him, but where in the world did she get the idea that it was reciprocal? He was nice to her, of course, but he was nice to everyone. Surely Alex couldn’t be that dense. Ava shook her head, planted her elbow on the desk, and sank her chin into the palm of her hand. Not again with the Alex