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THE NEXT MORNING, PETER IS waiting in the parking lot for me when I get off the bus. “Hey,” he says. “Are you seriously taking the bus every day?” #2 в контекст | | |
“My car is being fixed, remember? My accident?” #3 в контекст | | |
He sighs like this is somehow offensive to him, me taking the bus to school. Then he grabs my hand and holds it as we walk into school together. #4 в контекст | | |
This is the first time I’ve walked down the school hallway holding hands with a boy. It should feel momentous, special, but it doesn’t, because it’s not real. Honestly, it feels like nothing. #5 в контекст | | |
Emily Nussbaum does a double take when she sees us. Emily is Gen’s best friend. She’s staring so hard I’m surprised she doesn’t take a quick pic on her phone to send to Gen. #6 в контекст | | |
Peter keeps stopping to say hi to people, and I stand there smiling like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Me and Peter Kavinsky. #7 в контекст | | |
At one point I try to let go of his hand, because mine is starting to feel sweaty, but he tightens his grip. “Your hand is too hot,” I hiss. #8 в контекст | | |
Through clenched teeth he says, “No, your hand is.” #9 в контекст | | |
I’m sure Genevieve’s hands are never sweaty. She could probably hold hands for days without getting overheated. #10 в контекст | | |
When we get to my locker, we finally drop hands so I can dump my books inside. I’m shutting my locker door when Peter leans in and tries to kiss me on the mouth. I’m so startled I turn my head, and we hit foreheads. #11 в контекст | | |
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“Well, don’t just sneak up on me like that!” My forehead hurts too. We really banged them hard, like cymbals. If I looked up right now, I would see blue cartoon birdies. #13 в контекст | | |
“Lower your voice, dummy,” he says through clenched teeth. #14 в контекст | | |
“Don’t you call me a dummy, you dummy,” I whisper back. #15 в контекст | | |
Peter heaves a big sigh like he’s really annoyed with me. I’m about to snap at him that it’s his fault, not mine, when I catch a glimpse of Genevieve gliding down the hallway. “Gotta go,” I say, and I dart off in the opposite direction. #16 в контекст | | |
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I’m lying on my bed with my pillow over my face reliving the horrible kiss-that-wasn’t. I keep trying to block it out, but it just keeps coming back. #20 в контекст | | |
I put my hand to my forehead. I don’t think I can do this. It’s all so . . . I mean, the kissing, the sweaty hands, everybody looking. It’s too much. #21 в контекст | | |
I’m just going to have to tell him I changed my mind, and I don’t want to do this anymore, and that’ll be that. I don’t have his number, and I don’t want to say any of this in an e-mail, either. I’ll have to go to his house. It’s not far; I still remember the way. #22 в контекст | | |
I run downstairs, passing Kitty, who is balancing a plate of Oreos and a glass of milk on a tray. “I’m borrowing your bike!” I yell as I fly past her. “I’ll be back soon!” #23 в контекст | | |
“You better not let anything happen to it!” Kitty yells back. #24 в контекст | | |
I grab her helmet and the bike and tear out of the yard, pedaling as fast as I can. My knees hit my chest a little, but I’m not that much taller than Kitty, so it isn’t so bad. Peter lives two neighborhoods away. It takes me less than twenty minutes to get there. #25 в контекст | | |
When I do, there aren’t any cars in the driveway. Peter’s not home. My heart sinks to the pavement. What do I do now? Sit and wait for him on the front porch like some kind of stalker? What if his mom comes home first? #26 в контекст | | |
I take off my helmet and sit for a minute so I can rest. My hair is damp and sweaty from the ride over, and I’m exhausted. I try to run my fingers through my hair, smooth it out. It’s a lost cause. #27 в контекст | | |
As I’m contemplating texting Chris and seeing if she can come get me, Peter’s car comes roaring down the street and up the driveway. I drop my phone and then scramble to pick it up. #28 в контекст | | |
Peter climbs out of his car and raises his eyebrows at me. “Look who’s here. My adoring girlfriend.” #29 в контекст | | |
I stand up and wave at him. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” #30 в контекст | | |
He slings his backpack over his shoulder and takes his time sauntering over. He sits down on the front step like a prince on his throne, and I stand in front of him, my helmet in one hand and my phone in the other. “So what’s up?” he drawls. “Let me guess. You’re here to back out on me, am I right?” #31 в контекст | | |
He’s so smug, so sure of himself. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of being right. #32 в контекст | | |
“I just wanted to go over our game plan with you,” I say, sitting down. “Get our story straight before people start asking questions.” #33 в контекст | | |
He raises his eyebrows. “Oh. Okay. Makes sense. So how did we get together?” #34 в контекст | | |
I clasp my hands in my lap and recite, “When I got in that car accident last week, you happened to be driving by, and you waited for Triple A with me and then you drove me home. You were really nervous the whole time, because you’ve actually had kind of a thing for me since middle school. I was your first kiss. So this was your big chance—” #35 в контекст | | |
“You were my first kiss?” he interrupts. “How about I was your first kiss. That’s a lot more believable.” #36 в контекст | | |
I ignore him and continue on. “This was your big chance. So you took it. You asked me out that very day and we’ve been hanging out ever since and now we’re basically a couple.” #37 в контекст | | |
“I don’t think Gen’s going to buy this,” he says, shaking his head. #38 в контекст | | |
“Peter,” I say in my most patient voice, “the most believable lies are the ones that are at least a little bit true. I did get into a car accident; you did stop and sit with me; we did kiss in middle school.” #39 в контекст | | |
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I sigh. “Okay. Spare me the details. My story still works, though. After the car accident, you couldn’t get me out of your mind, so you asked me out as soon as Genevieve dumped—I mean, as soon as you guys broke up.” I clear my throat. “Since we’re on the topic, I’d also like to set some ground rules.” #43 в контекст | | |
“What kind of ground rules?” he asks, leaning back. #44 в контекст | | |
I press my lips together and take a breath. “Well . . . I don’t want you trying to kiss me again.” #45 в контекст | | |
Peter curls his lip at me. “Trust me, I don’t want to do it either. My forehead still hurts from this morning. I think I have a bruise.” He pushes his hair off his forehead. “Do you see a bruise?” #46 в контекст | | |
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Ha. I knew that would get him. Peter’s so vain. “Calm down, I’m only kidding. Do you have a piece of paper and a pen?” #49 в контекст | | |
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