into a liquor store.”
Brandon scrambles to explain before I can react. “It wasn’t
my idea. We never would have done it—it was really stupid,
okay? Anyway, we got caught, but Austin’s dad pulled some
strings and got us off with a warning.”
I nod slowly. “I see. So, you got Daddums to skirt the law
for you?”
“It’s not like that,” Travis says, but I can tell he’s really
embarrassed.
Brandon sighs. “I can’t get into trouble. I’ve got a lacrosse
scholarship on the line, and my parents would murder me if I
screwed that up. Trav’s the same.”
I’m not sure which is more irritating, the sham justice system
in these ritzy areas or the fact that there’s actually a legitimate
reason to cut our little excursion short.
I fold my arms. “So after all this, we’re leaving?”
“I never said that,” Travis says, defensive.
Brandon glares. “Don’t be an idiot, Trav. It’s not worth it.”
I can tell by the look Brandon gives Travis that he actually
means I’m not worth it. Irritation flares up in me.
“Well, I haven’t come all this way to wuss out now. You boys
and your lacrosse scholarships are free to go back home.”
“Fine,” Brandon says. “I’m out of here.”
He storms off without a glance back. Travis lingers, but I can
tell he’s seen the error of his ways and wants to go as well.
“Go ahead and leave,” I say. “I’m over the fence. I don’t need
you anymore.”
Travis sighs. “Brandon’s right. We should probably get out
of here.”
I plant my fists on my waist. “Nope. I’m going to swim.”
“Cass.”
“Seriously, go. I can take it from here.”
“I’m not leaving you alone at two in the morning. It isn’t safe.”
I laugh. “How very gallant, Travis.”
“I’m serious. It isn’t safe.”
With only a smile, I turn and head for the pool. He calls my
name in a sharp whisper, but I ignore him.
Little garden lights illuminate the path and surround the
flagstone patio. The pool shimmers. You’ve got to hand it to
the Andersons. They have a nice place here.
I circle the pool thoughtfully, then dip one toe in the water.
“Ideal temperature.”
No simple entrance into the pool will do. It’s got to be diving
board or nothing. With determination, I march to the elaborate diving area and grip the ladder.
Travis calls my name again. I glance over my shoulder with a
sigh. He’s in the shadows by the shrubs.
“You’re crazy,” he whisper-yells.
“Guilty as charged, Travis, my dear.” I blow him a kiss
and climb the diving-board ladder. My nerve ends tingle as
I approach the long plank. It’s a stupid little thing, but I feel
more alive now than I have all summer.
“Okay. Here goes nothing. One…two…”
The porch lights snap on with the fury of midday sun. It
startles me so much that I throw my arms up to block it and
almost fall backward into the pool.
“All right, kids,” a man’s voice booms. “Fun’s over.”
Who knew an uber rich gated community would have
twenty-four-hour guards on staff? Oh wait. I knew. I just
didn’t care.
A big man in a bouncer-type jacket strides in at the side of
the deck, right near where I entered. To my left, Travis flattens
against the house. Trapped. If he runs, the guard will notice
for sure.
The beam of a high-powered flashlight blasts in my face.
“Get down from there.”
I shoot a look to the gently rippling pool water, then to
Travis, then back to the guard. He’s clearly not in the mood to
screw around.
Something about this situation feels so symbolic of this
whole summer. There I was, about to plunge into that film
internship in New York. Or go to Paris with Jade. Or maybe
the acting camp. I hadn’t really decided. Either way, I was
ready to start living and get out of Nowhereville, Ohio. And
what happens?