The Drowning Summer by Christine Lynn Herman

Author:Christine Lynn Herman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags:  
Publisher: Titan Books

Chapter Nineteen

EVELYN WAS NERVOUS TO show up for the bonfire alone. She hadn’t been to a party by herself since the previous fall, the night that had ended with Nick taking her home. And she’d definitely never needed to be concerned about a full moon before. Whispers had started rustling in her mind that morning, fading in and out like crackling static. They weren’t anywhere near as loud as the voices had been before she’d found her scrying focus, but they were still loud enough to worry her.

She wasn’t completely sure why she was willing to risk potential danger to hang out with a coworker. But she knew it had to do with how Mina had made her feel the night before. Like Evelyn needed to cling to the few things she had going for her, because Mina had everything except this party invitation. It was petty, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

Evelyn fussed over her outfit and makeup way more than she usually would, frowning at a breakout on her chin and redoing her eyeliner until it was just right. She managed to bore a small hole in her scrying focus and string a cord through it, but it was kind of bulky, so she stuck the makeshift necklace in her tote bag alongside her wallet and phone. When she headed out the door, she wasn’t sure what to expect at the party. But when she walked onto Cliffside Beach, her sneakers crunching across the belt of rocks and shells separating her from the sand, Luisa jumped up from her picnic blanket and gave her a big wave.

“You came!” she said, running over and wrapping Evelyn in a hug. “Do you know anyone else here? Or do you need intros?”

Evelyn was relieved to see that she’d correctly gauged the dress code—Luisa wore a casual yellow dress, gold eyeliner, and bits of metallic blush sprinkled across her cheekbones. Her fancy camera was slung across one shoulder. Cute, but still carefree, just like Evelyn’s ripped straight-leg jeans and velvet crop top. She knew velvet was a bad choice for a sweaty summer night, but it was a Ruthie find that she’d never had cause to wear out before, so she couldn’t really resist.

“I’m sure I know some of them.” Evelyn glanced at the people clustered in small groups around the bonfire, maybe thirty total. Someone was playing guitar, and a few people sang along to the familiar melody of a pop song. One voice rose above the rest as if borne by the bonfire smoke, strong with a slight, gravelly rasp. “Who’s the singer?”

“You definitely know her,” Luisa said, tugging Evelyn toward the blaze.

Evelyn grinned, surprised, as the guitarist came into view. Amy Cheng looked at peace like this, her fingers dancing easily across the body of the instrument as she sang. She’d known the other girl was really into music, but it was another thing entirely to see her perform. She could totally see the grunge-band thing now.

“We work together,” she said.

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