Chapter One
Nothing is worse than being dropped off for your first day of senior year in a police cruiser.
“You sure I don’t need to pick you up this afternoon?”
I lean back into the car to grab my book bag. “I told you already, Ava is giving me a ride to the shop to pick up my car.”
I shut the door on the cruiser and step away from it as quickly as possible, although I’m not sure why because the entire school already knows my dad is the sheriff. When you live in a town as small as Gradyville, everyone knows your name - and your business. Before my mother passed away, she used to tell me “if you want something to stay a secret, you better keep it between you and God. Because if one person in this town hears it, they’ve all heard it.”
After second period, I head out to where I’m supposed to meet Ava in the courtyard. When she finally shows up, the look on her face tells me she has something juicy she wants to tell me.
“Oh. My. God!” She whisper yells so that only I can hear. “Have you seen the new guy?” She starts to fan her face with her hand.
I shake my head.
“Talk about HOT!” Suddenly, she makes a pouty face. “But from what I’ve heard, he’s a troublemaker. Someone from first period said he just got out of juvie, and that he couldn’t go back to his old school because he got expelled.”
“Well, too bad for us. Law and Order would never allow it.”
Law, referring to my dad, and Order, referring to hers, is an inside joke between Ava and I. Her dad is a deputy who works under mine, so she’s able to relate when it comes to growing up as a cops kid.
The bell rings signaling the end of our break.
“Meet me out front by the vending machines after school.” She yells out over her shoulder. I nod my head and start walking to my next class.
