Prologue
“Shh, be quiet.” I pull on Tobias’s wrist as we sneak around the hallway corner.
Dad’s in the kitchen cooking some dinner for us. While he thinks we’re upstairs playing, I want to show Tobias the water.
It’s his first time here at the lake house, and I’m so excited to show him everything. Dad says I can bring him here every summer if I want to. I can’t wait.
Tobias laughs behind me, covering his mouth to keep from being heard. Perfect. As long as we’re quiet, I can sneak him outside for a quick swim before dad even notices we’re gone.
The smell of cooked garlic fades as I tug him out the back sliding doors. The deck wood is warm under my feet from the setting sun, and I can hear the lake water lapping at the dock from here.
“We’re going to get caught!” Tobias laughs, feet thumping behind me.
“Not if we make it back fast. Come on!” I hop down the deck steps and sprint down the grassy hill, until I’m positive we’re out of my dad’s line of sight. My feet skid on the slope before the grass turns to warm, grainy sand.
Tobias pounces on me at the last second, making me yelp. We tumble into the sand, grains sticking to my elbows. I topple over inlaughter, and he giggles, pressing his hand over my mouth. I wiggle free, and he flops back with a chuckle.
Jumping up, I tug my t-shirt over my head. “Okay, enough horsing around. We don’t have much time.”
Tobias’s eyes widen. “Wait. We’re going in?”
“Duh.We have to see who can hold their breath the longest.” I step into the water, and the first touch bites at my toes. “Ah! It’s cold!” I hiss as it soaks my shorts. I’ll worry about how to explain our wet trunks later. The water swirls cloudy-brown at my knees before turning green as I push deeper. I tread water once my toes can’t brush the bottom anymore.
I look over my shoulder to see Tobias hesitating at the water’s edge, digging his bare toes into the wet sand.
“Comeon.” I wave him over before dunking my head beneath the surface.
Popping back up, I wipe my hand over my face and notice he still hasn’t followed me all the way in yet.
He looks…different.Scared? His shoulders are hunched. He keeps glancing over his shoulder toward the house, like he’s wanting to ditch me or something.
“Tobias, you okay?” I ask, moving to where the water is only waist-high.
“Yeah,” he says quickly, forcing a smile. “Everything’s okay.” He slowly splashes in after me.
I’m not sure I believe him, but if he says he’s okay, then I’ll take his word for it. I grin and push into the deep again. The water thickens around my legs as I paddle, pulling harder to keep afloat.
“Okay. Last one up is the winner,” I say. “On the count of three.”
Tobias nods, stepping forward.
“Okay, good.” I begin counting. “One…two…”
But having reached the deep slope, he dips under before I say three, bubbles fizzing to the surface where he was.
“Hey! That’s cheating!” I laugh. Sucking in a huge breath, I plug my nose and slip under.
My mind quickly goes off track, thinking about how much fun I’m having already.
I’ve never had a friend here before. This is going to be the best summer ever.
I hold my breath for as long as I can, but when my heartbeat starts drumming in my ears, I know time is up for me. Kicking back up, I break the surface.
“Thirty-two! I got to thirty-two!” I yell, wiping water from my eyes.
Looking around, I see Tobias hasn’t made it up yet. Wow, he’s really good.
I’m not surprised, though. He’s really good at everything. There’s really nothing he can’t do.
