Free The View from the Top by Hillary Frank Page A

which either meant the people who lived there weren’t around or they were asleep. It was always better to err on the safe side and keep quiet. Which was also way more exciting.
    Jonah untied his shoes and threw them into the grass, then tossed off his shirt and shorts until he was just in his boxers. He lowered himself into the water on the long wide rocks arranged like steps. Lexi was going back and forth over whether or not to go in in her clothes. She was starting to regret having laughed at Anabelle back at the house for saying she didn’t want to go swimming because she didn’t have a bathing suit. The truth was, even though Lexi wore bikinis, she hated them because they made her lack of womanly features so clear.
    She looked over at Anabelle, who was unbuckling her sandals at a glacial pace. And as uncomfortable as Lexi was with her body, it occurred to her that right now she had the opportunity to make Anabelle look like a wuss in front of Jonah. She tore her clothes off as quickly as possible and stepped into the lukewarm water in her bra and underwear. Even though it was dark and she was pretty sure nobody could see anything, she had to fight an urge to cross her arms over her chest. She ducked down, making sure the water covered her shoulders. You’re in a show right now , she told herself. A show starring a fearless heroine who didn’t give a damn if anyone saw her in her soaked, natural-color bra.
    Anabelle walked up to the edge of the pool and curled her toes over the slate. The spot between her eyebrows was all wrinkly.
    â€œWhat’s your problem?” Lexi whispered up to her.
    â€œI’m not stripping,” Anabelle clipped back. It seemed like she didn’t want Jonah to hear.
    Jonah waded over to them. “She need a push?” he asked Lexi with a grin.
    â€œShe needs some guts,” Lexi answered.
    Anabelle crouched down. “What’d you say?” she challenged.
    â€œAnabelle,” Lexi said. “You’re so amazing. But you know what would make you even more amazing?”
    â€œWhat,” Anabelle said, through clenched teeth.
    â€œIf you’d just take a risk once in your life.”
    Major eye roll.
    Lexi knew she’d won a point there, but this one didn’t make her feel good.
    â€œLadies, hey, this is supposed to be fun.” Jonah stuck his face in Anabelle’s. “Look, here’s what we’ll do,” he said. “Lexi and I will go underwater for, like, ten seconds. That’s how long you’ve got to get in.”
    â€œOr what?” Anabelle said, all sassy.
    â€œYou don’t want to find out,” Jonah flirted back.
    â€œMaybe I do,” Anabelle said, hands on her hips.
    Jonah turned to Lexi, gave her a nod, and disappeared underwater. Lexi followed his lead and began to count Mississippis. She was sure this was a ploy to get her out of the picture for a brief moment while the two of them made out. She came up two seconds early, convinced she’d catch them with their lips locked. But all she saw was Anabelle sitting on the side of the pool with her feet dangling in the water. Still fully clothed.
    Jonah’s head surfaced all the way in the deep end. He shook out his hair like a wet dog, then spotted Anabelle across the water. “You’re gonna regret this, Seulliere,” he said quietly, swimming the crawl over to her.
    â€œWait,” Anabelle said when he was about a foot away. “I just need to know something.”
    Jonah glided up and wrapped his hands around her ankles. “Make it quick,” he said, giving her feet a tug. “Lexi and I have to take care of your punishment.”
    Lexi hoped Anabelle’s punishment didn’t involve getting out of the pool.
    Anabelle braced herself, gripping the slate. “Why’d you come over so late while Matt was gone?” she asked Jonah.
    Jonah pushed his legs out behind him and flutter-kicked to keep himself