Always and Forever Read Free Page A

way back. Our parents play doubles at the country club all the time.”
    “Just drop it,” Melissa demanded, speaking under her breath, even as Brad sauntered over to Jory’s car and leaned his elbows against the door frame. “Hi, Jory. What’s up?”
    “Nothing much. Do you know my friend, Melissa Austin?”
    Brad’s cool blue eyes took her in, and Melissa’s mouth went dry. The strong lines of his jaw and chin etched themselves into her brain. “Hey, Melissa.”
    She managed a nod before Jory blurted, “Are you playing in the club tournament next Saturday?”
    “Not this time. The soccer coach wants us to takeit easy so we don’t get injured before practice starts for the season. How about you?”
    “Me—tennis?” Jory wrinkled her nose. “That
is
the game with the racket and the little fuzzy ball, isn’t it?”
    Brad laughed. “You’re some athlete, Delaney.” His attention turned to Melissa. “Do you know any more about sports than she does?”
    “I play racquetball with my brother every now and then, but that’s about as athletic as I get.”
    Brad scrutinized her, studying her features one by one while her stomach fluttered. “Maybe Jory could bring you out to the club sometime and we could knock a few balls around.”
    “Maybe.”
    “Just name a time,” Jory said. Melissa could have killed her. From far away, a bell sounded. The spell was broken and Brad straightened, breaking his hold on Melissa’s gaze. He tapped the side of the car. “Maybe I’ll see you two around later.”
    As he ambled across the parking lot, Jory called, “Count on it!”
    “That was
so
embarrassing, Jory,” Melissa hissed. “Why didn’t you just ask him to take me out on a date?”
    Jory snapped her fingers. “Why didn’t I think of that?” She maneuvered her car into a space that was too small. “I told you I wanted to be your social director.”
    “Well, I don’t need a social director. I want to keep my mind on studying, because I’m going to get a scholarship. I haven’t got time for guys this year.” She opened the door and banged the side of the car next to Jory s. “Now how am I supposed to get out?”
    “Simple,” Jory said with a smile. “Climb over.” She had already stood on the seat and swung her legs to the asphalt below. Melissa followed, and as she sat on the edge of the door she caught Jory staring wide-eyed at her legs, which were blotched with large purple bruises. “What happened to you?” Jory asked.
    Melissa felt a sharp pain in her knees and ankle joints when she hit the pavement. “Nothing. And don’t try to change the subject. You practically threw me at Brad. He must think I’m a real jerk.”
    “Oh, honestly, Melissa. You know what your problem is?”
    “No. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
    “You’re too serious. These are supposed to be the best years of our lives. You should be dating, partying, having fun … ”
    “I know exactly what I want. And a boyfriend is low priority.” She limped slightly as she caught up with Jory.
    “Well, I
do
want a boyfriend,” Jory said. “And if I can’t have the one I really want—”
    “Michael?”
    Jory cut her a sideways look. “—then I’ll become experienced enough to appeal to him in the future. In the meantime, though, it’s the party life for me. Do yourself a favor, Melissa, and go after Brad before he gets snatched up by some ditzy sophomore.”
    Melissa shook her head. Jory would never understand. Melissa wanted to take the world head-on. Like Michael, she wanted things from life, things that college and hard work could bring her. Life was more than an endless round of parties and days spent at the country club. Romanticism aside, Melissa knew she had a pragmatic streak, too.
    She said goodbye to Jory and promised to meether at the car after school. Late for her meeting with Mr. Marshall, she rushed toward homeroom shrugging off a nagging fatigue, and when she swung into the doorway Mr.