What Holly Heard Read Online Free PDF Page A

He’s just too nice for his own good.”
    â€œWhy does he stay with her?” Miriam asked.
    Ruth’s eyes were hard. “Because he
likes
her,” she replied flatly. “I think he—”
    They heard Ruth’s mother greeting someone downstairs.
    â€œHolly’s here,” Miriam said.
    They heard fast footsteps on the stairs. Then the door to Ruth’s bedroom burst open. Holly stood triumphantly, a wide smile on her face.
    â€œI just heard the most incredible thing!”
    â€œWhat is it?” Miriam demanded.

chapter 5

    H olly grinned. “After you left last night, the party got
good.”
    â€œOh, so it stank as long as we were there?” Ruth asked.
    â€œHa-ha,” Holly replied. “That’s not what I meant.”
    â€œSo?” Miriam prompted. “What happened?”
    â€œFirst, some of Noah’s friends from Center City showed up. And they were totaled. Reeking of beer.”
    â€œThat must have been the group we saw,” Ruth said.
    Miriam nodded. “And knowing Mei’s parents, they probably had heart attacks as soon as the first guy stumbled through the door.”
    â€œThat’s just the beginning!” Holly exclaimed.“Right after Mei’s mom kicked them out, she and Mei got into a
huge
fight. We’re talking total blow-out!”
    â€œWhat did they say?” Miriam gasped.
    â€œIt was all about Noah, and how he’s irresponsible and a creep. But Mei kept saying it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t invite his friends. They just showed up. It got really intense!”
    â€œThen what happened?” Ruth asked.
    â€œDr. Kamata kicked everyone out—including Noah. So we go out on the lawn—and there’s beer cans all over the place. Noah’s friends dumped them there after they got kicked out.
And
they toilet-papered Dr. Kamata’s car.”
    â€œWow,” Miriam muttered.
    â€œWhat then?” asked Ruth.
    â€œWe had to leave,” Holly answered sadly. “But I heard more later. After everyone left, Mei and her mother went ballistic. Mei was hysterical, screaming and crying that her mother treated her like a child, that she loved Noah more than anything.”
    Miriam noticed that Holly’s voice gained a slight edge on the word
loved.
    Holly continued. “And guess what happened after that?”
    Miriam and Ruth stared at her, waiting.
    â€œMei’s mother said that Noah could never set foot in their house again. And Mei can’t see him anymore. She broke them up!”
    â€œNo way!” Miriam cried. “That is so unfair!” Holly didn’t reply.
    Miriam studied her best friend. Holly was almost glowing. Obviously she still had her eye on Noah. She’s probably happy about this, Miriam thought. But Mei must be
devastated.
    Miriam felt terrible. She knew Mei was crazy about Noah. She would do anything for Noah.
    Couldn’t Mei’s parents see that?
    â€œMei and her mother aren’t speaking,” Holly added matter-of-factly. “Mei’s father is taking her mother’s side, but not very loudly. He probably hates seeing his little girl cry.”
    â€œDon’t be mean,” Miriam scolded her. “It’s not funny.”
    â€œI know, I know. I’m sorry.” Holly said quickly. But Miriam could still see the spark of hope in her eye. “It’s just … I can’t help thinking …”
    â€œAbout Noah?” Miriam asked.
    Holly nodded.
    â€œI’d forget that idea if I were you,” Miriam said. ‘After this, I bet Mei and Noah are more of a couple than they ever were. She’s not going to listen to her parents.”
    â€œI know.” Holly slumped down on the bed. “I wish I never heard these rumors.”
    â€œThat’s a first,” Ruth muttered.
    â€œWhat do you care, Ruth?” Holly replied angrily. “You’ve never cared about any guy