|
9e081aa
|
His high school girlfriend. I caught them in the act." "You caught them having sex at Homestyle Buffet?" Carlos chimes in, confused and maybe a little amused."
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
319ec64
|
Kendra's kisses are more hollow to me than a flute.
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
2892213
|
I rest my elbows on my knees, watching Paco make a complete fool of himself. Paco takes a little white golf ball and places it on top of a rubber circle inserted into the fake grass. When he swings the golf club, I wince. The club misses the ball and connects with the fake grass instead. Paco swears. The guy next to Paco takes one look at him and moves to another section. Paco tries again. This time the club connects, but his ball only roll..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
cafdc5c
|
Slowly, silently, I reach out and slip the glass out of her hand. "What do you think you're doing?" The old lady's voice startles me and I jump back. Mrs. Reynolds has one eye open like tha guy from the cartoon monster movie. "I, uh, thought you were napping." "Do I look like I'm napping?" "Right now you don't."
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
c0f7209
|
Wait!" Brittany calls out as I'm walking away. I turn around and she's right in front of me. "What?" She smiles seductively as if she's wanting something more than a truce. Way more. Shit, is she gonna kiss me? I'm taken off guard here, which usually doesn't happen. She bites her bottom lip, as if she's contemplating her next move. I'm totally game to making out with her. As my brain goes through every scenario, she steps closer to me. And ..
|
|
bested
brittany-ellis
keys
payback
trick
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
0afb89f
|
But now he stops hammering, his back still to me when he yells, "Would you stop staring at me?"
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
529fbc9
|
Est-ce que nous nous sommes embrasses, hier soir ? - Oui. - Eh bien, ca n'avait rien de memorable, je ne m'en rappelle absolument pas.
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
88665ad
|
Forget about that and kiss me," I say. I weave my hands in her hair. She wraps her arms around my neck as I trace the valley between her lips with my tongue. Parting her lips, I deepen the kiss. It's like a tango, first moving slow and rhythmic and then, when we're both panting and our tongues collide, the kiss turns into a hot, fast dance I never want to end. Carmen's kisses may have been hot, but Brittany's are more sensual, sexy, and ext..
|
|
brittany-ellis
intimate
kissing
lips
spanish
tongue
touching
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
29d430b
|
I'm all dressed in my new clothes," Luis's proud but muffled voice comes through the pillow. "The won't be able to resist this Latino stud." "Good for you," I mumble. "Mama said I should pour this pitcher of water on you if you don't get up." Was privacy too much to ask for? I take my pillow and chuck it across the room. It's a direct hit. The water splashes all over him. " " he screams at me. "These are the only new clothes I got." ..
|
|
get-up
latino-stud
luis-fuentes
new-clothes
water
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
15f1a8d
|
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..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
d9d1f17
|
My car rounds the corner, riding the path to the body shop. When I spot Alex leaning on his motorcycle waiting for me in the parking lot, my pulse skips a beat. Oh, boy. I'm in trouble. Gone is his ever-present bandanna. Alex's thick black hair rests on his forehead, daring to be swept back. Black pants and a black silk shirt have replaced his jeans and T-shirt. He looks like a young Mexican daredevil. I can't help but smile as I park next ..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
4432966
|
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 and smooth down my hair. "Deal." "You don't have to do that for me," he says, gently taking my hand away from my hair. "I'll get a blanket so you don't get dirty." I wait until he pulls a clean light green fleece blanket out of a closet. We sit on the blanket and Alex l..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
7ae5bb5
|
When there's a knock at my door, I scream, "Go away!" The knock gets more persistent. "Fuckin' leave me alone!" As the door creaks open, I hurl a cup at the door. The cup doesn't hit a hospital employee; it hits Mrs. P. squarely in the chest. "Oh, shit. Not you," I say. Mrs. P.'s got new glasses, with rhinestones on them. "That's not exactly the greeting I expected, Alex," she says. "I can still give you a detention for cussing, you know." ..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
528150f
|
If I keep looking at her long legs I'm gonna have an accident. "How's that sister of yours?" I ask, changing the subject. "She's waiting to beat you again at checkers." "Is that right? Well, tell her I was goin' easy on her. I was tryin' to impress you." "By losing?" I shrug. "It worked, didn't it?" I notice her fidgeting with her dress as if she needs to fix it to impress Wanting to ease her anxiety, I slide my fingers down her arm befor..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
74d2775
|
Brittany Ellis," Mrs. Peterson says, pointing to the table behind Colin. I unenthusiastically sit on the stool at my assigned place. "Alejandro Fuentes," Mrs. Peterson says, pointing to the stool next to me. I give Colin a "help me" look as I try to avoid a panic attack. I definitely should have stayed at home. In bed. Under the covers. Forget not being intimidated. "Call me Alex." Mrs. Peterson looks up from her class list and regards Ale..
|
|
alex-fuentes
argue
assigned-seats
brittany-ellis
chemistry
colin-adams
insult
mrs-peterson
spanish
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
22100bf
|
I rest my hand on the small of her back as we walk up to the house. Don't ask me why I feel a need to claim her as mine. Maybe deep down I a Neanderthal.
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
e02a009
|
Don't think, Everything will work itself out." "But--" "No buts. Trust me." My mouth closes over hers. The smell of rain and cookies eases my nerves. My hand braces the small of her back. Her hands grip my soaked shoulders, urging me on. My hands slide under her shirt, and my fingers trace her belly button. "Come to me," I say, then lift her until she's straddling me over my bike. I can't stop kissing her. I whisper how good she feels to ..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
8675607
|
After we've been dancing awhile and need a breather, we walk off the dance floor. I whip out my cell and say, "Pose for me." The first picture I take is of him trying to pose like a cool bad boy. It makes me laugh. I take another one before he can strike a pose this time. "Let's take one of the both of us," he says, pulling me close. I press my cheek against his while he takes my cell and puts it as far away as he can reach, then freezes th..
|
|
brittany-ellis
cute
kiss
photo
picture
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
504879e
|
From the beginning when the Israelites were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt to the Nazi's attempt to annihilate the Jewish race, Jews have suffered-but in the end have prevailed and become stronger. They've even overcome God's anger (Exodus 32:10). Overcoming obstacles is in my Jewish blood.
|
|
jewish
overcoming-obstacles
stronger
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
edda6f5
|
I don't know why or when I started falling for you, Alex. But I did. Ever since I almost ran over your motorcycle that first day of school I haven't been able to stop thinking about what it would be like if you and I got together. And that kiss ... God, I swear I never experienced anything like that in my life. It did mean something. If the solar system didn't tilt then, it never will. I know it's crazy because we're so different. And if an..
|
|
brittany-ellis
falling-for-you
kiss
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
496a429
|
Okay, so I shouldn't have fucked with her on the introduction thing. Writing nothing except, in her notebook probably wasn't the smartest move. But I was itching to make Little Miss stumble in her introduction of me. And stumbling she is. "Miss Ellis?" I watch in amusement as Perfection herself looks up at Peterson. Oh, she's good. This partner of mine knows how to hide her true emotions, something I recognize because I do it all the ti..
|
|
alex-fuentes
amused
angry
brittany-ellis
chemistry
colin-adams
desire
game-on
give-smack
introductions
isa
payback
peterson
pissed-off
spanish
triumphant-smile
won
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
76aca79
|
Sam raises an eyebrow. "You this guy?" "Listen," I say, taking one look at White Guy and am glad he's wearing a blue button-down instead of his coral shirt. It's still geek city, but at least I can keep a straight face when I say, "This guy's been in jail more times than me. He might look like a complete , but underneath that fucked-up hair and lame shirt he's a complete badass."
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
86397a8
|
As Gary walks down the hallway, I think of how funny it is that the most unlikely person sometimes becomes your ally. And how a blond girl can make you think futures are something to look forward to.
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
1658ea8
|
Let's hang Thursday after school. You know, to work on the outline," I tell Brittany for two reasons. First, I need to stop thinking about getting naked with her in front of Miss Koto. Second, I want Brittany to myself. "I'm busy Thursday," she says. Probably with Burro Face. Obviously she'd rather be with that than me. "Friday then," I say, testing her although I probably shouldn't. Testing a girl like Brittany could put a serious damper..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
5770847
|
Get out of the car." "Give me one good reason why I should?" "Because if you don't, I'm gonna drag you out. Trust me, " He puts my keys in his back pocket and steps out of my car. Seeing no other options, I follow him. "Listen, if you wanted to discuss our hand warmers we could have done it over the phone." He meets me around the back of my car. We're standing, toe to toe, in the middle of nowhere. There's been something nagging at me all ..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
105d6ff
|
We're actors in our lives, pretendin' to be who we want people to think we are." "So"
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
3850744
|
To hand warmers," she says with a smile on her lips. "To hand warmers," I agree. And sex, I add silently. "Do"
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
51a03ce
|
I'm not going anywhere until you hear me out." Oh, please no. Anything except having to listen to her lecture. I push the button that calls the nurse. " " a voice bellows through the speaker. "I'm bein' tortured." " "
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
0db08c5
|
I'm so proud of you, Douggie," Sierra says, throwing herself on him. They start making out immediately, not caring who's watching or about Fairfield's PDA policy. "I love you," Doug says when they come up for air. "I love you, too," Sierra coos in a baby voice. "Get a room," another classmate calls out."
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
2758e1d
|
I'm fine, Sierra. Really." "No, you're not fine. Brit, I'm your best friend. I'll be here before and after your boyfriends. So spill your guts. I'm all ears." "I loved him." "No shit, Sherlock. Tell me something I don't know." "He used me. He had sex with me to win a bet. And I love him. Sierra, I pathetic." "You had sex and didn't tell me? I mean, I thought it was a rumor. You know, of the untrue kind." I lean my head in my hands in fr..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
3b9bd06
|
After school, I hurry out the front doors to catch him. He's on his motorcycle, getting ready to leave. "Alex, wait!" Feeling fidgety, I curl my hair behind my ears. "Hop on," he orders. "What?" "Hop on. If you want to thank me for savin' your ass in Mrs. P.'s class, come home with me. I wasn't kiddin' yesterday. You showed me a glimpse into your life, I'm gonna show you a glimpse of mine. It's only fair, right?" I scan the parking lot. Som..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
44b93f3
|
Do you want to know how your chemistry partner is holding up?" I shake my head. "Nope. Don't care." The words almost get stuck in my throat. She sighs in frustration, then walks over to the window ledge and picks up the chemistry book. "Should I take this back with me, or leave it here?" I don't answer. She puts the book back on the ledge and heads for the door. "I wish I'd chosen biology instead of chemistry," I say as she opens the door t..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
0a63e3b
|
Two weeks later I'm the last one in the locker room to change for gym. The click of heels makes me look up. It's Carmen Sanchez. I don't freak out. Instead, I stand and look right at her. "He was back in Fairfield, you know," she tells me. "I know," I say, remembering the hand warmers in my locker. But he left. Like a whisper, he was there and then disappeared. She looks almost nervous, vulnerable. "You know those giant stuffed-animal prize..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
946bf46
|
Alex," Paco says, leaning on the golf club like it's a cane. "Do ya think I was meant to play golf?" Looking Paco straight in the eye, I answer, "No." "I heard you talkin' to Hector. I don't think you were mean to deal, either." "Is that why we're here? You're tryin' to make a point?" "Hear me out," Paco insists. "I've got the keys to the car in my pocket and I'm not goin' nowhere until I finish hittin' all of these bulls, so you might as w..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
70d5900
|
Something is happening. I sense a change in the wind...a mutual understanding of each other. I haven't felt this way in forever. I clear my throat, then say, "Your mom probably blows up at you the most because she knows you can take it." "Yeah. You're probably right. Better me than my sister." "It's no excuse, though." I'm being real now, and hope she is, too. "Listen, I don't want to be an asshole to you," I say. So much for the Alex Fuent..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
cc662d4
|
Do you want to drive back? I don't know the way." I drive her back in comfortable silence while the sun sets. Our truce brings me closer to my goals: graduating, the bet...and something else I'm not ready to admit. As I pull her kick-ass car into the dark library parking lot, I say, "Thanks for, you know, lettin' me kidnap you. I guess I'll see you around." Taking my keys out of my front pocket, I wonder if I'll ever be able to afford a car..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
fe50cc9
|
Come inside and we'll talk," she says, opening my car door. "I'm freezing my butt off here. Oh, why don't the Chicago summers last longer?" Inside, I take off my shoes so I won't wake up her parents. "Don't worry, they left for the health club an hour ago." "Then why was Doug escaping out your window?" Sierra winks. "You know, to keep the relationship exciting. Guys love adventure."
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
ad08a51
|
As I close my chemistry book, out of the corner of my eye I see Alex run his hand through his hair. "Listen, I didn't mean to be rude to you before." "That's okay. I got too nosy." "You're right." I stand, feeling uncomfortable. He grabs my arm and urges me back down. "No," he says, "I mean you're right about me. I don't place anything permanent here." "Why?" "My dad," Alex says, staring at the picture on the opposite wall. He squeezes his ..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
3fb3e82
|
I've got to get home. Where's my cell?" I ask, patting my back pocket. "Alex has it, I think." So sneaking out without talking to him isn't an option. I struggle to keep the Oompa Loompas at bay as I stagger out of the bedroom, searching for Alex. It's not hard to find him, the house is smaller than Sierra's pool house. Alex is lying on an old sofa, wearing jeans. Nothing else. His eyes are open, but they're bloodshot and glazed with sleep...
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
bd9c2ec
|
Where's my cell phone?" I ask. "And please put a shirt on." He reaches down and grabs my phone off the floor. "Why?" "The reason I need my cell," I say as I take it from him, "is to call a cab and the reason I want you to put a shirt on is, well, because, um..." "You've never seen a guy with his shirt off?" "Ha, ha. Very funny. Believe me, you don't have anything I haven't seen before." "Wanna bet?" he says, then moves his hands to the butt..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
d6c6f75
|
You can always strip and go in naked. I'll watch to make sure nobody comes in." She walks up to me, the pole gripped firmly in her fingers. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" "Uh, yeah," I say, stating the obvious. "I have to warn you, though. If you have granny undies on, you'll blow my fantasy." "For your information, they're pink satin. As long as we're sharing personal info, are you a boxers or briefs guy?" "Neither. My boys go free, if y..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
f91a997
|
Where's my cell phone?" I ask. "And please put a shirt on." He reaches down and grabs my phone off the floor. "Why?" "The reason I need my cell," I say as I take it from him, "is to call a cab and the reason I want you to put a shirt on is, well, because, um..." "You've never seen a guy with his shirt off?" "Ha, ha. Very funny. Believe me, you don't have anything I haven't seen before." "Wanna bet?" he says, then moves his hands to the butt..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
439dadb
|
And Brittany... She didn't want me to drive her home from Isa's house because she didn't want to be seen with me. Fuck that shit. Carlos isn't the only one who deserves an earful from me. I flip open my cell and cue Brittany's number. "Hello?" "It's Alex," I tell her, although she has caller ID and knows damn well it's me. "Meet me at the library. Now." "I can't." This is not the Brittany Ellis Show. It's the Alex Fuentes Show now. "Here's ..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |
|
6bffcfb
|
Knocking on the Ellises' door ten minutes later with the pink horn and streamers in hand, I try to put on the I-am-a-cool-motherfucker pose. When Brittany opens the door wearing a baggy T-shirt and shorts, I'm floored. Her pale blue eyes open wide. "Alex, what are you doing here?" I hold out the horn and streamers. She snatches them from my hand. "I can't believe you came here because of some prank." "We've got some things to discuss. Besid..
|
|
|
Simone Elkeles |