9 3
k a r i j o n e s
Advance Reading Copy
“Come on, you guys. He’s Ivan. I mean, we used to take
baths together, and Bo taught us both how to tie our shoes.
He’s like my brother or something.”
“And he’s super hot. And you know everything about
him. You know him better than anyone. What could be
more perfect?” Katia says.
Tears fill my eyes. Even a week ago, I might have agreed
with her, that Ivan and I had no secrets. But it’s not true.
Ivan has secrets from me, and I’m beginning to suspect
they’re big ones.
“I hate it!” I shout into the night.
“What do you hate?” Bea asks, but I don’t answer.
“Come in. My parents are still at the party,” Bea says
when we reach her house.
“I think I’m going to head home,” I say.
“Oh, come on,” Katia says, but Bea laughs and says,
“Yeah right, you’re going home. You’re going to go and get
Ivan, aren’t you?”
“Sure, Bea, I’m going to get Ivan.”
Let them think what they want. I
am
going to get Ivan,
but not for the reason they think.
* * *
I try texting him, but there’s no answer. Not a surprise, because
he always forgets to keep his phone charged. I also try the party,
but Jack’s mom says she saw him leave a few minutes ago.
