Crossing the Line Read Free Page A

insert a tampon’ workshop.” The two sisters busted out laughing again.
    â€œHey, let’s get out of here, go somewhere else for the afternoon,” Fabi said.
    â€œHow? And where? I have to practice my violin scales.” Alexis peeked through the cracked door. “Besides, the wolves are still out there.”
    Fabiola thought for a second. “Okay, then.” She looked up at the small window that led to the back alley — freedom. “Help me up here and we can climb out. Then we can go find some fun.”
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    Grandpa Frank lived around the corner from the restaurant. He grew the sweetest watermelons in the Valley. The Garza girls were used to jumping the fence to grab whatever they wanted since his backyard grew an abundance of food this time of year. When Grandpa Frank had retired from the military, he made his living selling his fruit and vegetables at the pulga in Alton on Sundays. But these days he could hardly drive himself anywhere anymore, and there were always tons of stuff up for grabs in his garden.
    The girls picked a couple of small, round watermelons and headed to the house of their aunt Consuelo, Santiago’s mom. She lived a couple of blocks down in a new gated community with a sweet pool and a Jacuzzi. After locating the key, hidden under the aloe vera potted plant, they let themselves into their aunt’s house. Alexis borrowed a sexy bikini while Fabi put on an old T-shirt and shorts. In just a few minutes they were cooling off in the pool, trying to out-cannonball each other splash for splash.
    â€œNow this is how I should have spent my whole summer,” Fabi lamented with a sigh, lifting herself out of the water to relax in a lounge chair.
    Alexis appeared a few moments later and stretched out in the chair next to her sister. She closed her eyes as if going to sleep. “I can’t believe I’m starting high school next week.” She opened one eye and looked over. “Do you think people will like me?”
    Fabi shot up. “What? Are you crazy? Of course they’re going to like you. Just be yourself and people will love you.” Alexis didn’t look convinced. “Besides, lots of your friends from junior high will be there. And, you’ll have me there, too. I’ll take good care of you,” Fabi added reassuringly.
    â€œI don’t know what I would do without you,” Alexis said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “You’re the best sister in the world.”
    Fabi beamed with pride. She closed her eyes and soaked in the delicious warm rays of the sun. She heard her sister get up to go back in the water.
    â€œHey, wetbacks!” a boy’s voice called out from behind them. Fabi opened her eyes and sat up, staring openmouthed at Alexis, who was just as shocked. Who was calling them wetbacks?
    But before Fabi could find the source of the insult, there was a huge splash. Moments later, Fabi’s sister was bobbing up from under the water, coughing and screeching. Before Fabi could say anything, two big, strong hands grabbed her and pulled her up and out of her chair.
    It was Santiago — of course. That jerk , Fabi thought as he tried to push her into the pool. But Fabi reached out and held tightly to his forearms. They tumbled into the pool together with a big splash. Alexis screamed happily and jumped on Santiago’s back, trying to dunk him. Fabi swam over and splashed water on her cousin, who was yelling, “I give up! I give up!”
    It was a perfect ending to summer.

T he day was sure to be a scorcher. It was only 7:30 in the morning and the Dos Rios High marquee said it was 85 degrees. Fabiola looked over at her younger sister, who was holding tightly to her new backpack, slung over her right shoulder, heavily loaded down with new school supplies.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Fabi said, giving her sister’s arm a squeeze. “I won’t let anyone pick on you.”
    Alexis