one

Izzy

Snow coats the ground like a fluffy blanket. It looks beautiful, like thousands of tiny crystals that glisten in the sun. But it also conceals what could be underneath.

Last winter it took two months—­until the snow finally melted—­to find my neighbor’s dead dog. Two full months that little terrier had been lying there, just yards from their front door.

Anything could be lurking under the snow.

We have a couple of months left of freezing conditions, but the air has been warming. Not quite enough to make the snow melt or stop it from falling, but just enough so that I don’t feel like I’m being punched in the lungs every time I step outside.

I walk to my car and immediately blast the heat. The roads are clear, as they’re plowed regularly, giving the impression that they’ve been carved out of the ten inches of snow that frames them.

More storms are in the forecast.

The sun is up, but gray clouds stop it from making an appearance. January is perpetual nighttime in our little fishing town. When my car is warm, I flick the lights on and back out of the driveway. Luckily, my dad shoveled yesterday, or I’d be late to school.

I better get accepted into Florida State. No more freezing air, no more winter coats and woolly hats, and no more wondering if there’s anything dead under the snow.

My sister, Lia, escaped to college in North Carolina last year, and she’s enjoying the warmer climate—­and the food—­immensely.

It’s senior year, and I still haven’t gotten Justin Rae to notice that I exist or told my best friend, Sydney—­Syd—­that I don’t really like going to parties, the mall, or any other place she drags me to.

We’re supposed to be going to Mariella Whitmore’s party tonight. Rich girl, wants to marry a billionaire, says “like” a lot—­you know the type.

Lia calls me a shadow person because I follow silently and never stick up for myself.

I’d be offended if it weren’t completely true.

My car rumbles as I pull into the parking lot. I park in the same spot as always, Lia’s old one.
I check myself out in the visor mirror. My complexion is fair, clear skin and rosy cheeks that I’m so grateful for, because I’m terrible at applying makeup. My hair is naturally wavy, which suits me just fine, because I prefer to sleep in rather than waking early to style it. I have the same hazel eyes as my sister, though my left eye has a ton of green specks. Syd says it’s cool, and I’ve grown to like it.

I close the mirror and grab my backpack.

Rock Bay High has been my home for the last three and a half years. The town used to be named Rock Bass Bay, but they dropped the “Bass” years ago in an attempt to sound less fishy. Now we sound much cooler than we are.

It didn’t help, though. Thanks to bigger ports in the state, this still isn’t a town you come to unless you live here.

“Izzy!” Syd says, pulling my car door open as if it’s on fire. Frozen air hits me instantly. “What took you so long?”

Startled, I look at the time on my dash. “I’m actually earlier than—­”

“Forget it. Have you heard? Justin dumped Gemma. He’s back on the market!”

That would be awesome news if I had even a hint of a shot with him.

“I don’t care,” I tell her.

“Sure you don’t.” She rolls her incredible sage eyes and scrolls her...