Free Is She for Real? by P.J. Night Page A

her mom said. “You’ve been eating like a bird lately.”
    â€œI think I’m all better,” Bethany said, pouring milk to cover the granola. There was a bowl of blueberries on the table, and she added a big scoop of those, too.
    â€œGood thing,” her dad said. “Just in time for the first real day of the summer. The Carlsons have invited us to go antiquing with them today. Will you be hanging out with Nate and Lissa today?”
    Bethany smiled around her spoon. “Yes, Lissa just texted me about coming over. Oh, and Lissa, Lily, and Olivia are going to initiate me into their Sandy Lady Club.”
    â€œDo tell,” her mom said.
    â€œThey bury each other in sand,” Bethany explained. “They dig a big hole and take turns completely burying each other. Except their heads, of course. They do it at the beginning of every summer, to mark the start of the season.”
    â€œSounds fun,” her mom said. “You’ll need a good shower afterward.”
    â€œI know,” Bethany said happily. “Lissa, Olivia, and Lily have been doing it every summer since fifth grade, and this year they’re including me.”
    â€œYou know, I’m so proud of you for making the best of this move,” her dad said. “We thought it would be so hard to move in the middle of the school year, but you’ve made such good friends.”
    Her mom grinned. “And even a special friend,” she added slyly. “Did he give you that ring you’ve been wearing?”
    So much for me thinking Mom wouldn’t notice it , Bethany thought. But as she looked at her mom’s smiling face, she realized her mom didn’t seem to mind.
    â€œHe did give it to me,” she confirmed.
    â€œIt looks expensive,” her dad said, leaning over the table for a better look. Bethany quickly pulled her hand away.
    â€œOh, I’m sure it’s just costume!” her mother said. “I can’t imagine the Carlsons would allow him to give her something real !”
    Bethany kept her head down and smiled a secret smile as she looked at her beloved ring.

But by the time she’d packed her bag for the beach and the sleepover, Bethany’s mood had begun to plummet. She felt the sickness start creeping through her body, though she didn’t say anything to her parents about it. She was starting to realize that maybe it was in her head, after all. Maybe she was nervous about seeing Nate? She had been so excited that same morning, but now she was filled with dread. Why do I keep feeling like this? she thought. Enough with the dread!
    She headed over to Lissa and Nate’s, trying hard to ignore the sinking feeling inside. But by the time she arrived, the paranoid, depressed feeling she’d had when she was so sick yesterday had returned. Just in time for Nate to open the door.
    â€œHello, milady,” he said with a smile. “Glad you’re feeling better.”
    If you only knew , Bethany thought. Before she could stop herself, she said coldly, “Why didn’t you come see me when I was sick?” She hadn’t even realized she was so upset about this until she said it.
    â€œUm, actually, I did,” Nate said, looking a little hurt. “I brought you a scone. Your parents said you were asleep. Didn’t they tell you? Didn’t they give you the scone?”
    â€œNo, they didn’t,” Bethany shot back. “Where were you, anyway? Off on a fishing voyage?” She sounded so angry that she barely recognized her own voice.
    â€œWhat?” Nate said, confused. “You know what? You’re acting a little weird.”
    Here it comes , thought Bethany. He’s going to tell me he’s met someone else.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I haven’t been sleeping too well.” Couldn’t she just hit the reverse button and make this conversation go differently?
    Nate was staring at the ground,