Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins Read Free Book Online

spots the wealthy flock to. But he’s
close? That means we can actually see more of each other? I’m
grounded, but I can get around that.
I cast a glance down at my ragged, watermelon-juice-dripped
shorts. Maybe it’s vain, but if we’re really going to hang out I
want to look cute.
“Give me five minutes to change?”
“Sure, unless you were hoping to go for a swim.”
Does he think this is my bathing suit or something? “No,” I
say. “That’s your thing, remember?”
I start toward the house. I don’t want to give him a reason to
change his mind. “Meet me out front by the street, and then
we’ll walk to your place?”
A flicker of confusion crosses Lawrence’s face, but he shrugs.
“I guess, if you want, but—”
“I know it’s lame, but I’m a girl. Humor me.”
I turn back to the house before he can respond. Leave them
wanting more, Jade always says. I roll my eyes at my own
thoughts. It’s ridiculous how excited I feel right now. I prance,
literally prance, back into the house.
Mom and Frank are chatting in the living room. In a single
bound, I fly over the back of the white leather couch, drop at
Mom’s side, and latch my arms around her in a bear hug.
“What on earth?” Mom asks. “Who are you, and what have
you done with my mopey teenage daughter?”
“I’m still her,” I say, batting my eyelashes sweetly. “Only now
I want a suspension of my grounding.”
Mom smirks. “I should have guessed.”
I jump to my knees beside her to properly beg. “Okay, so I
met this guy the night of your party—”
“Oh dear,” Mom says, taking off her reading glasses.
“He’s really nice. He’s very polite. We’re going to hang out
for a little while.” I grab her hand and press it to my cheek.
“Pleeeeeeease?”
Mom turns a skeptical look to Frank, but he’s already sold.
“It’s nice to have our happy Cass back.”
“True,” Mom says. “You have been a pill lately.”
I nod. “I know. But I swear I’ll stop. I’ll be better. I’ll be an
absolute delight.”
Mom and Frank laugh—a promising sign—and then Mom
sighs. “Fine. But you’d better be back by curfew, kiddo.”
“Absolutely,” I vow.
Mom rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. I throw another hug
around her. “You’re the best!”
As I gallop up the stairs to my room, I catch them exchanging amused and exasperated whispers. Doubtless, a conversation about the tempestuous nature of teenagers will ensue. And
rightfully so. But I don’t mind. Right now, all I care about is
finding a cute outfit, brushing my hair, and getting my butt
out to the street.
Digging through the tangled mess of my closet, I manage
find a cool blue T-shirt and a less shabby pair of shorts. A high
ponytail masks my unwashed hair, and a cute pair of earrings
finishes the look. I purposefully don’t spend too much time
getting ready. I don’t want to seem like I’m trying too hard.
Even though I kind of am…
As I run back downstairs, I can’t suppress my smile. It’s silly
to be so excited, but my excuse is that I’m not excited about
seeing Lawrence, per se; it’s more that I’m just happy something interesting is happening in general.
I force my pace to a slow, casual stroll as I walk the long
driveway. I pass the gate and look down both directions of the
street. In the twilight, only the lamp posts show any indication
of civilization. Cicadas buzz loudly in the surrounding hedges.
The glint of fireflies flickers in the woods beyond. And then,
somewhere in the distance, like in a horror movie, a dog barks.
But there’s no sign of Lawrence.
My lips purse in a little frown. I took longer than five minutes to get ready, but not that much longer. I peer down the
street again. Nothing. My mind starts to tick through possible scenarios. Did he wait and think I wasn’t coming? Did he
get detained at home? Maybe his parents are holding him up.
Maybe he’s getting ready himself? I’ll give him five