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7bc0345
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I swear dust wouldn't have the nerve to land on their floors or counters.
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Simone Elkeles |
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1744682
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Brittany was right. I don't belong here. It doesn't matter, because even if I don't belong in this place, she's here and I want to be where she is.
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Simone Elkeles |
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93388bc
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Brittany was right. I don't belong here. It doesn't matter, because even if I don't belong in this place, she's here and I want to be where she is. "Well, what did you want to talk about?" she asks. I wish her long, lean legs weren't sticking out from her shorts. They're a distraction. I look away from them, desperate to keep my wits. So what if she has sexy legs? So what if she has eyes as clear as glass marbles? So what if she can take a ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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6cabe4d
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Who am I kidding? I have no reason for being here other than the fact that I want to be near her. Screw the bet. I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I'm her knight in shining armor.
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Simone Elkeles |
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5bd38da
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Need directions or your car fixed." "None of the above," I say. "Trick-or-treatin' on my side of town?" "No." "It's over, Why do you keep droppin' into my life and fuckin' with my head? Besides, aren't you supposed to be at the Halloween dance with some college guy?" "I blew him off. Can we talk?" "Listen, I've got a shitload of work that still needs to get done. What did you come here for? And where's Enrique?" "He, uh, left," I say nerv..
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Simone Elkeles |
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9e36636
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You know, I heard once that kissin' reduces the fire." "Is that your cheap way of telling me you want to kiss me?" He looks into my eyes, his dark gaze capturing mine. " , I always want to kiss you." "I'm afraid it won't be that easy, Alex. I want answers. Answers first, then kissing." "Is that why you came here naked underneath that jacket?" "Who says I'm naked underneath?" I say, leaning close. Alex sets down his plate. If my mouth is sti..
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Simone Elkeles |
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d11df4d
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Hold on tight," he says, pulling my hands around his waist. The simple feel of his strong hands resting on top of mine is intensely intimate. I wonder if he's feeling these emotions, too, but dismiss the thought. Alex Fuentes is a hard guy. Experienced. The mere touch of hands isn't going to make his stomach flutter. He deliberately brushes the tips of his fingers over mine before reaching for the handlebars. Oh. My. God. What am I getting ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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2f8187b
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The sound of Alex revving his motorcycle brings my attention back to him. "Don't be afraid of what they think." I take in the sight of him, from his ripped jeans and leather jacket to the red and black bandana he just tied on top of his head. His gang colors. I should be terrified. Then I remember how he was with Shelley yesterday. To hell with it. I shift my book bag around to my back and straddle his motorcycle. "Hold on tight," he says, ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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4cffbd5
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I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the opposite wall. I absently run my fingers through my hair. "You're always doin' that." "Doing what?" "Fixin' your hair or makeup." "So, what's wrong with trying to look good?" "Nothin', unless it becomes an obsession." I put my hands down, wishing I could superglue them to my sides. "I'm not obsessed." He shrugs. "Is it so important that people think you're beautiful?" "I don't care what peop..
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Simone Elkeles |
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96dc6a2
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You know, I heard once that kissin' reduces the fire." "Is that your cheap way of telling me you want to kiss me?" He looks into my eyes, his dark gaze capturing mine. " , I always want to kiss you."
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Simone Elkeles |
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ac865d6
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I want the same things out of life you do," I admit. "I just go about them in a different way. You adapt to your environment, I adapt to mine." I put my hand back on hers. "Let me show you I'm different. , would you ever date a guy who couldn't afford to take you to expensive restaurants and buy you gold and diamonds?" "Absolutely." She slips her hand out from under mine. "But I have a boyfriend." "If you didn't, would you give this a ch..
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Simone Elkeles |
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7ab7b7e
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I want the same things out of life you do," I admit. "I just go about them in a different way. You adapt to your environment, I adapt to mine." I put my hand back on hers. "Let me show you I'm different. , would you ever date a guy who couldn't afford to take you to expensive restaurants and buy you gold and diamonds?" "Absolutely." She slips her hand out from under mine. "But I have a boyfriend." "If you didn't, would you give this a ch..
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Simone Elkeles |
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fb9dcd1
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Face it, you're model-gorgeous. Okay, so your eyes are bloodshot and you've got bags from crying all night. But all in all, you've got it goin' on. Look in the mirror, Brit, and say out loud " "No." "Come on. It'll make you feel better. Look right in the mirror and yell !" "Nuh-uh." "Can you at least admit you've got good hair?" I look at Sierra. "You talk to yourself in front of a mirror?" "I do. Wanna see?" She pushes me aside and moves..
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Simone Elkeles |
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d2f19af
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You want my advice?" Sierra asks. I look at her warily. "I don't know. You hated the idea of Alex and me together from the beginning." "That's not true, Brit. I didn't tell you this, but he's actually a nice guy when he loosens up. I had fun the day we all went to Lake Geneva. Doug did, too, and even said Alex was cool to hang with. I don't know what happened between the two of you, but either forget about him, or give him everything you've..
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Simone Elkeles |
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a805103
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I'm eating breakfast the morning after Brittany's warehouse visit when I glimpse a shaved head peeking through my front door. "Paco, if that's you I'd stay the hell away from me," I call out. slaps me on the back of my head. "That's no way to treat your friends, Alejandro." I go back to eating while she opens the door for that...traitor. "You're not still mad at me, Alex," Paco says, "are you?" "Of course he's not mad at you, Paco. Now sit..
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Simone Elkeles |
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6afa600
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I glare at Paco. "What?" "You know How could you have brought Brittany to the warehouse?" "I'm sorry," Paco says as he chows down on our food. "No, you're not." "Okay, you're right. I'm not." I watch in disgust as he uses his fingers to scoop food up and shove it into his mouth. "I don't know why I put up with you," I say. "So what happened with you and Brittany last night?" Paco asks while following me outside. My breakfast is threatenin..
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Simone Elkeles |
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714dd4a
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My thoughts drift to Brittany. I've tried to forget Brittany will be going with someone else to the Halloween dance. I heard she was going with her old boyfriend. I try to push out of my mind the fact that another guy will have his hands on her. Her date will kiss her tonight, I'm sure of it. Who wouldn't want to kiss those sweet, soft, frosted lips? I'm going to work tonight until I have to leave for the deal. Because if I was home alone, ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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fc202c8
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Brittany has been wary this whole week. She's waiting for me to play a joke on her, to get her back for tossing my keys into the woods. After school, as I'm at my locker picking books to take home, she storms up to me wearing her sexy pom uniform. "Meet me in the wrestling gym," she orders. Now I can do two things: meet her like she told me to or leave the school. I take my books and enter the small gym. Brittany is standing, holding out he..
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Simone Elkeles |
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e66571b
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After school, there's a crowd around my motorcycle. Shit, if anything happened to Julio I swear I'm going to kick someone's ass. I don't have to push through the crowd because a path opens up when I get close. All eyes are on me as I witness the vandalism to my motorcycle. They're expecting me to be in a rage. After all, who would dare attach a pink tricycle horn to the handlebars and tape sparkling streamers from the ends of the handles? N..
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Simone Elkeles |
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ec80439
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Do you ever think about makin' love to me?" He slides off a sock before I even answer his question. "Yes," she answers. "Do you think about making love with me?" I lie awake most nights, fantasizing about sleeping next to her...loving her. "Right now, , makin' love to you is the only thing on my mind."
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Simone Elkeles |
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7a4efc2
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Do you ever think about makin' love to me?" He slides off a sock before I even answer his question. "Yes," she answers. "Do you think about making love with me?" I lie awake most nights, fantasizing about sleeping next to her...loving her. "Right now, , makin' love to you is the only thing on my mind." I check my watch. I've got to go soon. Drug dealers don't give a shit about your personal life. I can't be late, but I want Brittany so dam..
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Simone Elkeles |
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8811c18
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I brush a strand of hair from her face, then move beside her. When she wraps her arms around my neck, all I want to do is protect this girl for the rest of my life. I ease her jacket open and lean away. A pink lace bra stares back at me. Nothing else. " ," I whisper. "Is our game over?" she asks nervously. "It's definitely over, 'Cause what we're gonna do next is no game."
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Simone Elkeles |
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599c98a
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Is our game over?" she asks nervously. "It's definitely over, 'Cause what we're gonna do next is no game." Her manicured fingers are on my chest. Can she feel my heart beating against her palm? "I brought protection," she says. If I'd known...if I had any idea tonight would be "the night"...I would have been prepared. I guess I never wholeheartedly thought this would be a reality with Brittany. She reaches into her coat pocket and a dozen..
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Simone Elkeles |
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55c9dc5
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I'm a virgin, Alex. What if I do everything wrong?" "There is no here. This isn't a test in Peterson's class. This is you and me. The rest of the world is shut out right now, okay?" "Okay," she says softly. Her eyes are glistening. Is she crying? "I don't deserve you. You know that, , don't you?" "When are you gonna realize you're one of the good guys?" When I don't answer, she pulls my head down to hers. "My body is yours tonight, Alex,..
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Simone Elkeles |
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41dae09
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I'm standing in front of Enrique's Auto Body, doing deep-breathing exercises to keep from being nervous. Enrique's Camry is nowhere in sight, so I know Alex is alone. I'm going to seduce Alex. If what I'm wearing doesn't capture his attention, nothing will. I'm giving this my all...bringing out all the artillery. I rap on the door, then close my eyes tight and pray this goes as planned. I open my long, silver satin jacket and the cool night..
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Simone Elkeles |
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7371853
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Need directions or your car fixed." "None of the above," I say. "Trick-or-treatin' on my side of town?" "No." "It's over, Why do you keep droppin' into my life and fuckin' with my head? Besides, aren't you supposed to be at the Halloween dance with some college guy?" "I blew him off. Can we talk?" "Listen, I've got a shitload of work that still needs to get done. What did you come here for? And where's Enrique?" "He, uh, left," I say nerv..
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Simone Elkeles |
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fa84769
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What did you come here for? And where's Enrique?" "He, uh, left," I say nervously. "I think I scared him away." "You? I don't think so." "I showed him what I was wearing under my coat." Alex's eyebrows shoot up."
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Simone Elkeles |
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e0cfd19
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I'll take whatever you can give me, Alex." "I'll never be able to meet your expectations." "What if I tell you I won't have any expectations?" He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. I can tell he's thinking hard about this, because his expression turns serious. "I'll tell you what," he says. "You keep me company while I finish my dinner. I won't even ask you what you have...or don't have...under that coat. Deal?" I smile tentatively..
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Simone Elkeles |
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0bc3b26
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You know, I heard once that kissin' reduces the fire." "Is that your cheap way of telling me you want to kiss me?" He looks into my eyes, his dark gaze capturing mine. " , I always want to kiss you." "I'm afraid it won't be that easy, Alex. I want answers. Answers first, then kissing." "Is that why you came here naked underneath that jacket?" "Who says I'm naked underneath?" I say, leaning close. Alex sets down his plate. If my mouth is sti..
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Simone Elkeles |
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4dccbf5
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Let's play a game, Alex. I call it Ask a Question, Then Strip. Every time you ask a question, you have to remove an article of clothing. Every time I ask, I have to remove one." "I figure I can ask seven questions, How many you got?" "Take it off, Alex. You asked your first question." He nods in agreement and kicks off his shoe. "Why don't you start with your shirt?" I ask. "You do realize you asked a question. I think that's your cue--" ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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5f35f76
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I figure I can ask seven questions, How many you got?" "Take it off, Alex. You asked your first question." He nods in agreement and kicks off his shoe. "Why don't you start with your shirt?" I ask. "You do realize you asked a question. I think that's your cue--" "I did ask a question," I insist. "You asked me why I don't start with my shirt." He grins. My pulse quickens. I pull down my pom skirt, keeping my long jacket tightly closed. "..
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Simone Elkeles |
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8727502
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What's the real reason you came here?" "Because I wanted to show you how much I love you," I say. Alex blinks a couple of times, but beyond that he shows me no emotion. This time he lifts his shirt over his head. He flings it to the side, baring his bronzed, washboard stomach."
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Simone Elkeles |
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fd22686
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Okay, I've told you everythin'. Now please take that jacket off." "Not yet, If you've slept with so many people, how do I know you didn't catch a disease? Tell me you got tested." "At the clinic when I got the staples in my arm, they tested me. Trust me, I'm clean." "I am, too. Just in case you were wondering." I remove my other sandal, glad he didn't make me feel stupid or give me crap for asking more than one question. "Your turn." "Do ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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2fdaba7
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Your turn." "Do you ever think about makin' love to me?" He slides off a sock before I even answer his question."
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Simone Elkeles |
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86c5c11
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Paco says, throwing down his lunch. "They think they can buy a U-shaped shell, stuff it, and call it a taco, but those cafeteria workers wouldn't know taco meat from a piece of shit. That's what this tastes like, Alex." "You're makin' me sick, man," I tell him. I stare uncomfortably at the food I brought from home. Thanks to Paco everything looks like now. Disgusted, I shove what's left of my lunch into my brown paper bag. "Want some of i..
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Simone Elkeles |
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59e3522
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I seriously don't give a crap how I get the pants; just that I get 'em before my next class. A wet crotch is not the way to show Brittany I'm a stud. I wait at the tree while other kids throw away their lunches and head back inside. Before I know it, music starts playing through the loudspeakers and Paco is nowhere in sight. Great. Now I have five minutes to get to Peterson's class. Gritting my teeth, I walk to chemistry with my books strat..
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Simone Elkeles |
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4c12c37
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Seein' this house, this life...I want to be here with you, but I look around and realize this will never be me." "You're thinking too much." She kneels on the carpet and pats the floor. "Come here and lie on your stomach. I know how to give Swedish massages. It'll relax you." "You're not Swedish," I say. "Yeah, well, neither are you. So if I do it wrong you'll never know the difference." I lie next to her. "I thought we were gonna take this..
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Simone Elkeles |
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ae4615c
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Alex whispers, "There's a thin line between love and hate. Maybe you're confusing your emotions." I scoot away from him. "I wouldn't bet on it." "I would." Alex's gaze turns toward the door to the classroom. Through the window, his friend is waving to him. They're probably going to ditch class. Alex grabs his books and stands. Mrs. Peterson turns around. "Alex, sit down." "I got to piss." The teacher's eyebrows furrow and her hand goes to h..
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Simone Elkeles |
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48b6c17
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With that, I follow my little chem partner out of the room and down the hall. "Stop following me," she snaps, looking over her shoulder to check how many people are watching us walk down the hall together. As if I'm himself. "Wear long sleeves on Saturday night," I tell her, knowing full well she's reaching the end of her sanity rope. I usually don't try to get under the skin of white chicks, but this one is fun to rattle. This one, the m..
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Simone Elkeles |
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6b8c36e
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Listen, Alex," she says, whipping herself around and tossing that sun-kissed hair over her shoulder. She faces me with clear eyes made of ice. "I don't date guys in gangs, and I don't use drugs." "I don't date guys in gangs, either," I say, stepping closer to her."
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Simone Elkeles |
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f71cf0f
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With that, I follow my little chem partner out of the room and down the hall. "Stop following me," she snaps, looking over her shoulder to check how many people are watching us walk down the hall together. As if I'm himself. "Wear long sleeves on Saturday night," I tell her, knowing full well she's reaching the end of her sanity rope. I usually don't try to get under the skin of white chicks, but this one is fun to rattle. This one, the m..
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Simone Elkeles |
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58f87e7
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Face the facts. Your life is too perfect. You probably lie awake at night, fantasizing about spicin' up all that lily whiteness you live in." But damn it, I get a whiff of vanilla from her perfume or lotion. It reminds me of cookies. I love cookies, so this is not good at all. "Gettin' near the fire, , doesn't necessarily mean you'll get burned." "You touch her and you'll regret it, Fuentes," Colin's voice rings out. He resembles a burro, ..
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Simone Elkeles |
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fe3838a
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At nine Megan calls to complain about Darlene. She thinks Darlene changed over the summer and now has a big ego because she's dating a college guy. At nine thirty Darlene calls to say she suspects Megan is jealous because she's dating a guy in college. At nine forty-five Sierra calls to tell me she talked to both Megan and Darlene tonight and she doesn't want to get in the middle of it. I agree, although I think we already are.
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Simone Elkeles |
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ec6ef1f
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The first time I see him is during lunch. As I'm waiting in the cafeteria food line, Alex is two people in front of me. This girl, Nola Linn, is in between us. And she's not moving down the line fast enough. Alex's jeans are faded and torn at the knee. His hair is falling into his eyes and I'm itching to push it back. If Nola wouldn't be so wishy-washy about her choice of fruit... Alex caught me checking him out. I quickly focus my attentio..
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Simone Elkeles |