Remember When (Remember Trilogy #1) by T. Torrest Read Free Book Online

nice before.”
       I’m sure he meant it as a compliment, but I was all, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
       And he actually said, “Well, you know. You were always too cool to talk to me.”
       Can you believe that? What the hell? I should have said that the reason we never talked was because he never opened his mouth in my direction, which was the truth. But did I go and jump to the conclusion that we never spoke because he was “too cool” to do so? No. I couldn’t imagine going through life with such a huge chip on my shoulder like that.
       I mean, it’s not like we were such a mutually exclusive group who spent our days trying to find ways to torture and alienate our fellow classmates. If anyone ever wanted to be a part of things, all they ever had to do was show up.
       That’s the thing about popularity that no one ever tells you. It’s all about confidence . That’s it. That’s the magic formula, boys and girls. Speaking as a person with experience on both sides of popularity, I can tell you that that’s all it takes. If you can mind the slight angular shift between holding your head up high and sticking your nose in the air... If you can strike the right balance between conformity and originality... If you can be friendly but not perky, optimistic yet unaffected, lead instead of follow... you’re in. It may seem like a tightrope-walk to be sure, but you just gotta fake it until you make it. After a while, you won’t even be that conscious of the fine line you’re walking all the time.
       I was anxious to get over to the party, but until I got my license, I was at the mercy of Lisa’s time schedule. I sat down at the top of the stairs where I’d have a good line of sight into the driveway. Not that I needed to keep watch for her. That girl normally started honking the horn from her house. This night was no exception.
       I bolted out the front door, simultaneously fumbling with my keys to lock it behind me while flapping my hand down to shush Lisa, who started beeping even more incessantly upon my presence.
       When I finally opened the passenger door, I snipped, “Shut up already! I have neighbors you know!”
       Lisa just laughed and said, “I know! I’m one of them, Dippy!”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 7
    HOUSE PARTY
     
     
       Greg Rymer lived in Norman Hills- the “rich neighborhood”- on the northern side of town. Back in the seventies, the land developer who had the area bulldozed was eventually sent to prison for bribing a bunch of government officials in order to get the zoning rights. Prior to his arrest, however, he was responsible for building some gorgeous homes.
       Rymer’s was a sprawling ranch nestled into a copse of trees, with huge sections of wall made up almost entirely of glass. I guess the secluded property allowed for them to live in a fishbowl without feeling like exhibitionists. Sometimes, it freaked me out to hang there at night, though. When just a few of us were there watching a movie or something, I always thought that there could be some murderer creeping around out in the woods spying on us. Seriously, the alienated house was the perfect backdrop for a slasher film. There wasn’t another home within earshot. No one would hear your screams.
       On the other hand, that’s why it made such a perfect party house.
        With the number of cars crammed around the front yard, I rest assured that any potential murderers would be outnumbered by party guests. Besides, all the real creeps were already inside.
       I remember hearing once about the correct way to enter a room. A person should stroll in with confidence and head straight for a familiar face. The worst thing you could do was linger like an insecure little wallflower, fumphering around two steps inside the door. Lisa knew this, too, which is why we gave a quick knock before heading right on in. We kissed a few people hello on our beeline to