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"That's stupid," Steven said

"I don't think it's stupid I think I agree with her" Conrad gave ive each other when they're teaether

I gave Steven a little shirees with rees with me Conrad loves rinned and said, "My turn to ask a question Belly, would you rather eat mayonnaise every day, or be flat-chested for the rest of your life?"

I turned on rabbed a handful of sand, and threw it at Steven He was in the ot in his mouth and stuck to his wet cheeks He screaed at me, and I rolled away from him "Leave me alone," I said defiantly "You can't hurt me or I'll tell Moyou in the water"

I tried to shake hi more sand into his face Which of course only made hio swim"

"Yeah, come on," said Jere out sand "But you're still dead, Belly" He pointed at ave hi Conrad had defended me Conrad cared whether or not I was dead

Steven was mad at me the whole rest of the day, but it orth it It was also ironic, Steven teasingflat-chested, because two summers later I had to wear a bra, but, like, for real

Chapter twenty-one

The night Steven left, I headed down to the pool for one of uy Clay Bertolet were sitting on the lounge chairs drinking beer Clay lived way down the street, and he'd been co as we had He was a year older than Conrad No one had even liked hiht away I stiffened and held my beach towel closer to my chest I wondered if I should turn back Clay had always ht I could do it the next night But no, I had as ht to be out there as they did More, even

I walked over to theo ofthere in a towel and a bikini when they were all wearing clothes

Clay looked up attie chair "Sit down"

I hated when people said "long time no see" It was such a dumb way to say hello But I sat down anyway

He leaned in and gaveHe smelled like beer and Polo Sport "So how've you been?" he asked

Before I could answer, Conrad said, "She's fine, and now it's tiht, Belly"

I tried not to sound like a five-year-old when I said, "I'"

"You should head back up," Jere his beer down "Your ," I reminded hi He seemed drunk

I hesitated, and Conrad snapped irritably, "Don't give her that She's a kid, for God's sake"

I glared at hi like Steven" For a second or two I considered taking Clay's beer It would beit to spite Conrad, and I wasn't going to let him control what I did

"No, thanks," I told him