Read Online Snap by Carol Snow - Free Book Online Page A

paused to check my display, but there was nothing out of place, no old woman hovering at the edge.
    The sun rose higher in the sky; the light became harsh. I put my camera away. The kids in the red bathing suits began to appear, alone and in groups. A tall blond guy, Hollywood gorgeous with a perfect jock body, walked by and smiled. “Hey, Delilah.” He carried a surfboard under his arm and wore a whistle around his neck. He looked like he was on his way to a Hollister photo shoot.
    â€œHi, Nate,” she said casually. When he was out of earshot, she whispered, “You can’t beat the scenery on the beach.”
    When we got back to the sandy parking lot, all the spots were filled with minivans and SUVs. The sun was high in the sky, theair getting hotter by the minute. Delilah’s pale skin flushed pink.
    â€œYo, Dee!” Leonardo and Duncan sat on a green bench, skateboards at their feet, both of them eating. Leonardo’s pants were red today. His T-shirt was bright blue. His hair was still the natural, crazy orange. Still, it looked better than my hair. I wished I’d worn a hat. I wished I owned a hat.
    â€œHey, guys.” Delilah strode over. “Leo, you got some food for me?”
    Across the parking lot, a line snaked away from the snack shack’s take-out window. The smell of fried food tortured my hungry nose.
    Cheeseburger clutched securely in his other hand, Leonardo held out a Styrofoam container filled with fries. “Don’t take too many.”
    Delilah took a monster fistful and skittered away.
    â€œHey!” Leonardo said.
    She laughed. “I have to share with Madison.” She looked at me. “Want some?”
    I wasn’t sure what to do. It seemed kind of rude to eat Leo’s food; I barely even knew him. But I’d had nothing but the vanilla latte all day, and I was starving. Besides, I liked having Delilah treat me like a friend. I couldn’t imagine hanging out with her in real life, but she was perfect for an arty summer companion.
    I accepted a fry from her outstretched hand, trying not to think of how recently that hand had been in a garbage can.
    â€œYou can have some of mine,” Duncan said, holding out his overflowing Styrofoam shell. He wore long khaki shorts and a white T-shirt with the sleeves cut off, revealing lean, muscled arms.
    â€œNo, thanks.” I knew Duncan even less well than I knew Leo.
    â€œHave a fry.” He leaned forward. His gold earrings glinted in the sunlight. “C’mon, Goth Girl; you know you want one.”
    â€œGoth Girl?” I stared at him, mouth open. Okay, sure—with the hair, shirt, and shorts I was a little over the top on the black, but I had not crossed the line into Gothic. And Duncan, with his wild hair bleached white at the tips, was hardly one to talk.
    A family walked by, hauling enough beach toys for fifty children.
    â€œOr how about I just call you G.G.?” Duncan said. “The black hair is totally working for you, by the way.”
    At my stunned expression he cracked up. His laugh was infectious—like a series of hiccups, almost.
    I started laughing and couldn’t stop. It was the first time I’d laughed in almost a week, and I poured everything into it: my fear, my anxiety, and a moment’s relief and release. Delilah and Leonardo joined in, probably amused by my overreaction more than anything, and I laughed even harder, tears forming in my eyes.
    Finally, I composed myself and plopped down on the bench next to Duncan, entirely forgetting about my smelly clothes. “Scoot over.” He slid closer to Leo. I peered at his food. “Screw the fries,” I said, tucking my black hair behind my ears. “I want some of your burger.”
    I took the burger in both hands and took a shamelessly huge bite. It was just the way I liked it, with lettuce and cheese, grilled onions, and Russian dressing. It was quite possibly the best burger I