Free The Disappearing by Jennifer Torres Page A

summer at camp—when they were much younger. Emily teasingly referred to them as their “friendship bracelets.”
    Everyone at school called the five of them “The Family,” which would have been okay except for the fact that Tim had feelings for Nina that went a bit beyond friendship.
    As much as he tried to deny these feelings and push them aside, they persisted.
    â€œHey,” Nina called out as she rolled up behind him on her board, causing Tim to nearly fall off of his.
    â€œHey back,” he managed to reply.
    She smiled and gazed up at him with those eyes, “I thought we could ride over together.”
    â€œUh, am I invisible here?” Max shouted as he fell onto the pavement in a failed attempt ride the curb.
    Laughing, Nina jumped off her board, ran over to Max, and began playfully tousling his hair. “You are too good looking to be invisible.”
    Tim suddenly felt like throwing up.
    The three jumped back on their boards and headed to the shore.
    Paradise Beach was packed.
    It seemed as though the entire school was there, hoping to catch a few more rays of sun before school started again next week. Someone had plastered posters all over town, encouraging everyone to come out for one last summer party on the beach—and it appeared everyone had.
    Barbecues were being manned across the park leading down to the sand. Thick, sweet smoke filled the air as meat sizzled on dozens of grills. Younger kids ran past, heading for the playground, fingers and faces sticky with remnants of quickly devoured ice cream. Several volleyball games were in full swing, and kites filled the air.
    Emily and Luke spotted them first and quickly darted through the crowd to meet them.
    Emily looked nervous. “Did you hear what happened?”
    Nope, nothing bad ever happened in Briny Deep, until the stranger arrived.

Chapter 2
The Search for Eva
    A warm gust of ocean air purred through Tim’s hair as he raced his friends past throngs of beachgoers, searching for an unoccupied patch of sand.
    Luke’s call was barely a whisper over the pounding waves as they crashed on shore. “Over here!”
    The group met up on what had to be the last free spot on the beach and proceeded to set up for the day. Luke and Emily had brought along a beach blanket, chairs, and a cooler full of icy drinks.
    â€œEmily, I’m over here!” a little voice called from nearby.
    It was Isabelle, Emily’s little sister and practically her twin in appearance—but a mini-size version. She was three years younger. The two were extremely close—they even shared a “Best Friends” necklace. It was a heart that was broken in half with the inscription
Best Friends Forever
on it. Each sister wore one half around her neck.
    â€œOkay, Izzy, just don’t go too far, alright?”
    Isabelle put her thumb up in agreement and ran off with her friends.
    The boys had already continued on toward the shore, where they dove into the cold blue water with zeal.
    Nina grabbed a juice from the cooler and moved a tray of brownies Emily had made to a shadier spot of blanket.
    â€œPerfect day,” Emily purred, stretching her arms up over her head. “It’s so sad school has to start again so fast. I can’t stand to be cooped up when the weather is so perfect.”
    Nina sprawled out on the blanket, letting the hot sun wash over her skin. She squinted and peered over her shoulder at Emily.
    Her curly, platinum blonde hair glistened in the light. Her skin was milky. She was a dancer, which made her graceful and fit. She always dressed as if she was attending an event in her honor, with her makeup perfect, her shoes the latest style. But for all her obvious beauty and elegance, she was even more beautiful inside. Smart, kind, and compassionate, she had listened for hours—over too many nights to count—as Nina spilled her heart out over the way she felt about Tim.
    Nina was thankful she