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Snagged on two counts Not a great way to start the day

I become neurotic about what to wear Because suddenly every piece of clothing has so to do with someone else Shirts that Jess helped ht I first met Noah The clothes from yesterday thrown over the back of the chair--it’s a to believe that I kissed Kyle and was dule pair of jeans

In the end I dig into the back of ot reen, and brings out the orange in reen The neck is a little too tight and the arure this is … or et to school is Rip, the bookie I can tell he’s been waiting for me He stares for aabout it

"So is that it, then?" he asks ure this is true I’ve lost Noah I don’t want Kyle Tony was never an option

I don’t have anybody

But…

I think again of Noah

"The betting isn’t over yet," I tell Rip

"Seerin I can see hi theof a sports metaphor

"Listen to me," I say "You can’t run a Super Bowl pool and then declare the winner otten to the playoffs yet If you start collecting, I’ them for a fast one They won’t like that"

Rip thinks for a er’s Dance," he says finally "That way, more people can place bets"

I nod and remove my hand from his shoulder

As he skulks off, Infinite Darlene appears from behind me

"Rip never dates anyone," she observes

"Why?" I ask

"He doesn’t like the odds"

Infinite Darlene is staring at my sweater now

"I know I should hate it," she says, "but I actually like it"

"Thanks, I think"

She is dressed iels T-shirt and white pleather miniskirt (I have no idea how she pulls it off In fact, I have no idea how she pulls it on)

"How’s it going?" she asks in to tell you," I say, then blurt out the whole story