Page 18 of Surfside Sisters

Keely raised her head and faced him defiantly. “So what you’re saying is I shouldn’t let some poor gullible chump think I like him because once I’m off this island, I won’t find him interesting anymore.”

“Right!” Sebastian said, then immediately corrected himself. “I mean, no. Not exactly that. You’ve never been any kind of gullible chump to me, Keely.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” Keely said dryly. She was proud that her voice was so sarcastic.

Sebastian smiled. Keely didn’t. She was angry with him and intoxicated by him. It was all she could do to hold on to her anger like a person clutching a plank in the middle of the ocean.

“Keely, listen. I…have feelings for you. I always have. But one thing I’ve learned is that I’m young. I want to take some chances while I can. I want to find out about myself. I don’t want to be some kind of idiot when I talk to you.”

“I’m afraid you’ve already done that,” Keely said. She pulled away from him, proud of her quick response. She shoved open the door, and went into the house, longing to think of another cool thing to say, but she was too emotional, so close to tears.

Maybe she hoped Sebastian would pull her back to him. He said he had feelings for her.

But he didn’t come after her. Without another word, Keely ran up the stairs to the second floor. She stood for a moment in the doorway to Isabelle’s room, replaying the moment with Sebastian. What had just happened? What had Sebastian said? What had hemeant?

She was glad she hadn’t remained in front of Sebastian, like a dog begging for some treats. She was proud of herself.

Isabelle was on the floor of her room, bent over her geometry homework. “What are you doing?” she asked.

Keely’s knees went wobbly so she sat right down in the doorway.Your brother talked to me,she wanted to say. Instead, she said, “Tommy Fitzgerald asked me to the homecoming dance.”

Isabelle went pale. “Oh no, he did not.”

Keely smiled. “Oh yes, he did. I had no idea he even knew I existed!”

Isabelle burst into tears.

“Isabelle, wait. Listen. I didn’t accept.”

“You didn’t accept? What did you say?” Isabelle’s lovely creamy face was blotchy with emotion.

“I said I had to think about it.”

“Youtold Tommy Fitzgerald you have to think about it?”

“Yes, Isabelle, because I know how you feel about him. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

“Oh, thank you very much for your amazing kindness!”

Keely rocked backward. She hadn’t expectedangerfrom Isabelle. “Isabelle, come on. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Toyou,it doesn’t! It meanseverythingto me! You’ve so totally won!”

“Izzy, we’re not in a contest. And if we are, look at all you have that I don’t. You’ve got a brother. You’ve got this ginormous house! You’re beautiful and smart!”

“Obviously not beautiful enough for Tommy. What did you do, flirt with him?”

“No! Don’t be an ass! I would never flirt with Tommy!”

“He probably asked you to the dance because he knows he can get in your pants.”

Keely recoiled. “Well, that’s a mean thing to say. Plus, not true and you know it.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Isabelle wailed. “But why would he choose you?”

“Are you girls okay?”

Keely and Isabelle turned. Mr. Maxwell was standing in the doorway.

---