The Shore by Todd Strasser Read Free Book Online Page B

by them for the next four years.
    Despite three Advils and the two cups of coffee, Sabrina’s head was still pounding like a drum. She was glad Owen wasn’t up yet. She had peeked out of her door to make sure before she came downstairs. She wasn’t ready to face him, certainly not when her head hurt and her stomach was lurching at random intervals.
    “Has everyone met Sabrina?” Avery asked.
    “We have now,” said a girl dressed in black with heavily mascaraed eyes.
    “And you are?” Sabrina asked her.
    “April.”
    “I’m Polly,” the red-haired girl with the lame clothes said, a little too cheerfully.
    “Delighted,” Sabrina replied drolly.
    “And I’m Curt,” said the good-looking guy with the wild black hair. “I’m the one you snaked the big bedroom from.”
    “I didn’t snake a bedroom from anyone,” Sabrina replied. “Isaw one I liked and asked Fred if I could have it. If you have a problem with that, you should take it up with him.”
    “That’s all been settled,” Avery said. “Come on, Curt, you know what I’m talking about.”
    Curt made a face, but said nothing more. Sabrina was used to men undressing her with their eyes, but this one took it to a whole new level. If he tried any harder, he’d be seeing straight through her. And it wasn’t like she was looking her best this morning either.
    “Um, Sabrina, if I could talk to you later in private . . . ,” Polly started, and then drifted off.
    “Why?” Sabrina asked.
    “It’s about some clothes,” Polly said.
    Oh . . . Sabrina smiled to herself. Fashion advice. I should have guessed.
    “Burn everything you own, starting with that.” In her hung-over state, Sabrina didn’t realize she had actually spoken her thoughts out loud until everyone started staring at her.
    Polly’s face hardened a little. “It’s not about my clothes. It’s about yours.”
    “Mine?” Sabrina didn’t follow.
    “From last night,” Polly explained. “I have them.”
    Sabrina’s stomach suddenly heaved, and for a moment she thought she might throw up. She could see the others turning away or covering their mouths with their hands, all except Curt, who openly grinned at her. They’re all laughing at me!
    “How?” Sabrina asked, instantly flushing.
    “They were all over the stairs,” Polly said. “I thought you’d appreciate it if I picked them up.”
    Sabrina felt her heart plummet. It was all over. Everyone must have known about her and Owen. It was her worst nightmare. Not only being with Owen, but not even being subtle about it. My clothes all over the stairs? The image made her cringe.
    “I can get them . . .” Polly trailed off, clearly unsure what else to say. Lucas and Avery had averted their eyes. April and Curt were still smirking.
    Sabrina glared at them. “Just forget it, okay? It’s not what you think.”
    “Then what is it?” Curt asked archly.
    Sabrina wanted to kill him. Amazingly, Polly came to the rescue. “Hey! Now that we’re all here, wouldn’t this be the perfect time to discuss house rules?”
    “We’re not all here,” Curt said dryly, casting a knowing leer at Sabrina, who felt her face color.
    “Six out of seven is almost everyone,” Polly said, and turned to Sabrina. “You could fill Owen in later.”
    Sabrina wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream, or strangle someone. Not only had last night been a huge mistake, but now they all assumed she and Owen were a couple. She felt like shouting that there was no way she was talking to Owen later about anything, ever.
    Polly continued: “Some of us have already worked out a planfor the refrigerator. Everyone gets half a shelf for personal food, and communal food goes in the door.”
    “Avery and I have the top shelf,” Curt announced.
    “I think we need a schedule for chores,” Polly continued. “How we’re going to shop for communal food and supplies, party etiquette, and noise levels.”
    Did she really just say “etiquette”? Sabrina