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So much for my business only relationship

"And thatʼsslightly embarrassed and exposed, not unlike those dreams where you show up to school without your shirt on "Nohatʼs yours?"

"Whatat the threads sticking out froht? So, where are your parents?"

"Car accident I was eleven I donʼt like talking about it" He continued picking at his jeans, never looking up in e to smack his hand away from those stupid threads I had just baredto brush me off with an I donʼt like to talk about it? I was about to explain the unfairness of the situation when the bell rang Alex was up and out of the door before I could even collect hts

I didnʼt see him at lunch that day, and I didnʼt have a chance to talk to him in Mrs Soleʼs class When he disappeared before the end of day announce me

I felt utterly humiliated First, I had spewed out a fountain of Ashley Johnson hatred that even the nize as a jealous fit Then, I prattled on endlessly about randparents, and insecurities Worst of all, I had ed to convince myself he was interested inon the freakish, eirl

Talley tried to cheerof french fries and o severely wounded The only thing I was certain of was that I never wanted to see Alex Cole again

Chapter 6

The best part of holiday breaks, other than the absence of Calculus, is that people tend to come back to school in a happier, less neurotic mood At least, that was the case for Alex andwere strained and aard, partially due to ot anywhere near me Monday, however, saw the return of our co, friendship

"So, youʼre kind of orange," Alex said as I pulled up recent articles on ithat out I never would have noticed it on le Mrs Harper, in her latest atte inia where I was forced to strip naked inside a space-age capsule that sprayed a sickly sweet s powder onto e a sun-kissed beach blanket beauty

They were liars

Mrs Harper got a full refund and an apology I got the honor of looking evenrather quickly I figured another week of taking ashoould have ot a really fancy tan because she gets to be in co up fro terel preferred to stay close to me on the afternoon Alex joined us at the library