Free Deep Blue Secret by Christie Anderson Page A

She kissed my forehead with an exaggerated puckering sound. “And try to loosen up, Sadie-bear. You seem so serious lately. It’s not like you.”
    Mom scurried out the door as I mumbled under my breath, “I know.”
    At school, Heather and I walked to first period as usual. She asked me to come to her house tomorrow night to keep her company. Her parents were planning to be gone all evening at a tie-up, which was basically a bunch of people tying their boats together out in the harbor to have a party. Heather didn't live right on the harbor, but her parents owned a mooring to anchor their boat there. They'd been hanging out with the harbor crowd a lot lately.
    “My parents said I was old enough to, like, come with them if I wanted,” Heather said, sounding completely disturbed by the idea.
    “Maybe it would be fun,” I said. She looked at me like I should be condemned to an institution.
    Her voice was dry with sarcasm. “You're hilarious, Sade. Being trapped in the middle of the harbor with a bunch of drunk, old fogies is not exactly my idea of a good time.”
    “Yeah, I guess you're right. But your parents aren't thatold. It's not like they need walkers to get around.”
    “Well they're old to me,” she said, annoyed. “So are you coming tomorrow, or what? My stupid brother's sleeping at a friend's house so we’ll have the whole place to ourselves to do whatever.”
    I wasn’t really in the mood to hang out, but maybe staying busy would help me avoid another emotional episode and keep my mind off the mysterious boy I had no way to find.
    “Sure, I'll come,” I said.
    She smiled, but it looked almost devious. “Good. And I want to go in the hot tub, so bring a cute bikini. No frumpy one-piece suits allowed at my house.”
    “Uh, okay,” I said, confused why it mattered what I wore. It was just going to be the two of us. Then again, this was Heather I was talking to. Fashion was a top priority.
    I was bummed her younger brother, Danny, wasn’t going to be there. He was adorable. Last time I came over he rummaged through the neighborhood picking flowers to make me a bouquet. Of course, he always did things to purposely bother Heather, but I found it entertaining.
    “So Danny’s not going to be home?” I said. “That’s too bad.”
    She gave me a horrified look.
    “What?” I replied innocently. “I think he’s cute.”
    She laughed without humor. “Yeah, but you like everybody. You've probably never had a bad thought about anyone since the day we met in second grade.”
    What was wrong with her today? She was acting so snotty. Since when was it a crime to like people? Maybe if Heather tried it once in a while, she might see where I was coming from.
    “That's not true,” I said, folding my arms. “There are a lot of mean people out there, and I don’t like them .”
    She rolled her eyes. “You wouldn't hurt a fly and you know it.” She didn't mean it as a compliment.
    We left the hallway, now growing sparse of students, and entered the classroom.
    Heather waved her hand in the air as if shooing away a pest. “Now go sit down, before you sprout angel wings or something.”
    I spent the first ten minutes of class wondering why Heather seemed so annoyed with me. She did still invite me to her house though. I was probably just reading into things. I figured she was just in a bad mood. Maybe her brother made her mad this morning or something.
    After that my mind went straight back to daydreaming about my forever lost, mystery boy.
    Second period was more of the same. I took out the small flask in my pocket that I put there this morning. Instead of listening to my teacher’s lecture, I studied the intricate artwork in the silver, wishing I knew what the substance inside could be.
    At break I still felt a small hope that he would walk through the crowded school grounds just like he did Monday, but no, the beautiful green eyes were nowhere in sight.
    At lunch Heather teased me repeatedly as we ate.