The Star Group Read Online Free Page A

glanced at me. “You don't want to know.”
    “Shena...” I began.
    She shrugged. “Don't say it, I know you mean well.” Again she paused, “Did Jimmy try to shoot the pier today?”
    “No. He's not insane.”
    “Sure. He has a lot to live for.” She changed the subject, thank God. “Are you going to ask Gale out today?”
    “Going to try.” Big pause. “Do you think she'll say yes.”
    “I've been telling you forever that I can scope her out for you. But you don't want me to.”
    “I actually do want you to, but I think I'd be a chicken if I did.”
    Shena nodded, studied me with her good eye. “I think she likes you. If she doesn't, she's a fool.”
    “It's amazing how many pretty girls in this school are fools.”
    Shena gave me a real smile, and it was nice to see. She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek – hopefully it was to be a day filled with kisses. Everyone was happy it was the last day of school but sad as well. Shena had three pictures in the yearbook, all of her before her accident. She had been the prettiest girl in the school.
    “I love you,” she said with feeling.
    I was touched. “You have a lot of love inside you.”
    She drew back and shook her head. Shook away the smile.
    “There's nothing left inside me,” she said.
    That sort of killed the conversation, to put it mildly. We chatted a minute more, but I could tell she had slipped back into that place filled with tall mirrors that never vanished, even when the lights went out. Even in the night, I was sure, she would awaken to feel her face.
    First period was calling, the bell was ringing. Surfing never made me late to Mr. Ramirez's English class because I loved it. The subject matter was a mere formality. We read books and stuff, but mainly we explored what mattered to us, whether it was music, painting, studying, or even relationships. Ramirez was totally loose—anything was cool, as long as you did it with passion. Still, he favored books above all else, and of course I did as well. Ramirez had us write daily in a journal, which only he read. I often wrote him excerpts from my stories, which he loved. It was Ramirez who gave me confidence in my writing. He told everyone who would listen that I was going to be on The New York Times bestseller list within five years of graduating.
    I had also written him about my unrequited love for Gale.
    He called me aside ten minutes into class. Nothing was happening anyway, other than our partying. We went outside and sat under a tree. He had his acoustic guitar, I swore it was going to get him fired. The other teachers weren't crazy about his unorthodox teaching style.
    He, too, had heard about me shooting the pier. I swear Jimmy must have taken out an ad announcing the fact. Ramirez wanted to know what had possessed me.
    “I just did it. It was something I wanted to do since I started surfing.”
    “But Sal said the wave was close to twenty feet. That near the pier, you could have got killed.”
    “The wave will reach forty feet by the end of the day. Anyway, I don't plan on doing it again soon, if that's what you're worried about.”
    Ramirez was short and stocky, with intense dark eyes. I wouldn't say he was handsome, but half the girls in school were in love with him anyway. He was only twenty-eight but seemed older because he appeared so wise. He flashed a rare smile at my remark.
    “I was just wondering about your motivation.”
    I laughed. “I'm not suicidal.”
    He acted relieved, but it was only an act. “Are you going to ask out Gale today?”
    I was feeling the pressure. “Everyone keeps asking. I wish she'd ask me.” I paused. “Does she ever mention me in her journals?”
    “That's not fair.” He changed the subject. “Some of the teachers are going to Disneyland tonight with you kids. I'm bringing my family. My wife Sally wants to meet you. I've let her read your stories, I hope you don't mind.”
    “I don't mind if she liked them. That's great. I'd like to meet