Page 12 of In Too Deep

Christina chuckled. “That’s so not true.”

“You won two races today and I won just one. There’s your proof.”

“I mean the prettier part. You’re much prettier than me.”

“Nuh uh. My eyes are brown. Yours are blue.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“I always wanted blue eyes because they were the color of the ocean.”

Christina smiled. “I think brown eyes are beautiful, too.”

“Thanks.” I smiled. “I guess that’s another thing we have in common.”

“Yeah,” Christina agreed.

“And I guess we’re both drunk because we’re complimenting each other and not being so modest anymore.”

Christina laughed. “Well, since we’re complimenting each other, let me also say that you are one of the most amazing people I have ever met. I can’t understand why you don’t have a boyfriend.”

I frowned at her. “You need a boyfriend to be amazing? Or are you saying a boyfriend is proof of your amazingness?”

“I’m saying a girl like you deserves to be treasured and loved in the most special way,” she said.

“I don’t think there’s a guy out there who can do that,” I told her. “All guys are jerks. That’s why I don’t trust them. That’s why I don’t think I’ll ever fall in love.”

Christina fell silent.

“Christina?” I gave her a look of concern. “What’s wrong?”

She suddenly yawned and pushed herself out of the seat. She held out a hand to help me up and said, “I’m sleepy. Let’s go inside.”

CHAPTER TEN

We went inside, only to find every bed already taken by two or three girls. I had an idea. I led Christina down to the basement and we crashed on the big sofa my dad kept down there.

Christine plopped down and told me to lie down beside her. I did as I was and Christina draped an arm over me. I nuzzled in close, drunk and sleepy.

Christina put her chin on my shoulder and breathed

quietly in my ear. It didn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep.

I dreamt that someone was holding me tight and planting little kissed on my neck. I heard a voice softly say, “I love you.”

I had no idea that the next day everything would change.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

When I woke up the next morning, Christina was gone. I tried calling her cell, but it went directly to voicemail. I looked for her all over town, but she was nowhere to be found.

No one had heard from her or knew where she was.

I drove to her house and knocked on the front door. Her dad answered. He was on his way out, but told me that Christina was in her room and to go on back.

I knocked on her door and said, “Chris, it’s Jan. Let me in.”

“Please, just go away,” she said from the other side of the door. Her voice sounded like she’d been crying.

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