I snickered when Isla and Hailey sighed in unison. I could admit that he was charismatic and handsome, but I didn’t know if he was my type. Truthfully though, I was still figuring out what that even meant. My love life had a big fat zero stamped across it. Not that guys weren’t interested in me—or me in them, for that matter. But with all the moving, there simply hadn’t been time for dating. And I definitely didn’t want a long distance relationship.
“I’ll have to make sure my aunt is okay with it, but count me in,” I said, to a chorus of squeals. I wasn’t going to hold my breath though. Aunt Tess usually said no.
Hailey clapped her hands, her strawberry blonde curls bobbing as she bounced in her seat. “Reid might even say hi to us if you’re there,” she said, completely oblivious to how her words sounded. I didn’t mind, really, even if I was essentially being used. I didn’t have a lot of experience with relationships of any kind, but I knew all about feeling alone. Maybe helping these girls find companionship would distract me from my own loneliness, no matter how briefly.
But when I got home from school, the fever had worsened and Aunt Tess wasn’t there. Her car must have arrived while I was gone. I checked the dining room table and, sure enough, she’d left a note.
Kenna, I’m visiting with a friend. Leftovers are in the fridge. Make sure to lock the doors and don’t wait up. -Aunt Tess
“A friend? What sorcery is this?” I muttered, flipping the note over to see if there was a “just kidding” on the back. She hardly ever made friends—or spent time with them, for that matter. And she most certainly never stayed out late.
I pulled out my phone and called her number, sinking onto a chair as chills swept through me. Straight to voicemail. Hanging up, I tapped the table and debated what to do. I decided on leaving her a text:
Anyone I know?
That wasn’t too confrontational.
I sat for a moment longer, tired at just the thought of climbing the stairs to my bedroom. But I eventually did, dropping my burgundy school bag and ankle boots along the way. Aunt Tess would have a fit, but she wasn’t here. She was out being secretive.
I suddenly decided that no matter how awful I felt, I was going out tonight with my new friends.
* * *
It was half past nine when I finally found North Point Cove, a stretch of rocky beach surrounded by pine trees. The air was nippy so I’d brought a hooded sweatshirt, but I left it in the car. When I’d woken from my three hour nap, my skin had been hot to the touch. Even after a cold shower, I still ached with fever.
I had almost given in to my exhaustion and climbed back into bed, but my annoyance with Aunt Tess’s obtuseness kept me going. She’d always been a private person, but how had she mysteriously found a friend after less than a week of being here? Something was definitely different about this move. I could feel it in my bones.
And if she wouldn’t talk to me about it, then I wouldn’t tell her about this party.
Hearing laughter and thumping music, I followed a narrow, sandy trail through the pine trees until a large bonfire became visible. Beyond the glowing fire, ocean waves crashed against the rocks, illuminated by a bright, waxing moon.
The party was in full swing, at least fifty teenagers occupying the secluded stretch of beach. Couples dotted the sand, most of them making out. A handful of guys were throwing around a football, and I recognized the tall, spikey-haired one. Reid caught my eye and gave a friendly wave before throwing the football. When I spotted Isla, Hailey, and Peyton talking with a few others, I straightened and plastered on a fake smile. I hated pretending, even if it was to cover up not feeling well.
Isla saw me and broke from the group to pull me over. “I’m so happy you made it, girl. I was beginning to worry!” Even in low-heeled ankle boots, I struggled to keep up. The sand definitely wasn’t helping matters. She introduced me to a few senior year Rosewood High students—whose names I promptly forgot—then handed me a red plastic cup. “Do you drink?”
“Uh, depends what it is.” I sniffed the contents and immediately recoiled. “Smells like dog pee.”
Isla busted out laughing and bumped my shoulder. Liquid splashed over the cup’s rim, soaking my wrist. “Cheap beer, actually. I can take it if you don’t want it.”
“Sure.” I handed the cup over gingerly, watching as she swallowed a mouthful. “So your dad—you know, him being the sheriff and all—doesn’t mind you drinking alcohol?”
“Oh, he minds, but everyone here drinks. Not much else to do, you know? And after the hard time my brother gave him as a teen, he’s a bit more lenient with me. Besides, I’m the baby of the family.” She winked and took another swig of the foul-smelling stuff, choking a bit.
I huffed a laugh and dropped the subject. “So what kind of stuff did your brother do?”
“Oh, girl. Girl. It’s more like what didn’t he do. He’s all mature and teaching at an exclusive school now, but when Noah was our age, he used to street race.”
My eyebrows inched upward.
“And participate in illegal street fights.”
My mouth formed a large O.
“And date every girl in his class and then some.”
“Wow. No wonder your dad doesn’t get on you for drinking.”
“Right? And Hailey drove me anyway. We live in the same neighborhood. I would never drive while—”
A sharp ringing in my ears suddenly cut off her words. I popped my jaw and tried to clear it. The sound only intensified, until noises from all around blasted through my ear canals. Talking, laughter, shuffling feet, the music—the volume
