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I shrug h explaining to you how Gen will kill any girl that goes near you!”

Peter dis to anybody You just don’t know her like I do” When I don’t say anything, he takes ement, and he says, “It would help you out too, you know With that kid Josh Weren’t you so worried about losing face in front of him? This could save you from more humiliation Because ould you be with him when you could be with h I can’t have you falling in love with reat pleasure to look up into his Handsome Boy face and sweetly say, “Peter, I don’t even want to be your pretend girlfriend, much less your real one”

He blinks “Why not?”

“You read my letter You’re not my type Nobody would ever believe I would like you”

“It’s up to you I’s and looks over my shoulder, like he’s bored with this conversation “But Josh definitely believed it”

In a flash, without even thinking, I say, “Okay Let’s do it”

Hours later, I’ about it all What people will say when they seedown the hall with Peter Kavinsky

25

THE NEXT MORNING, PETER IS waiting in the parking lot for et off the bus “Hey,” he says “Are you seriously taking the bus every day?”

“My car is being fixed, rehs like this is sorabs ether

This is the first ti hands with a boy It should feel momentous, special, but it doesn’t, because it’s not real Honestly, it feels like nothing

Emily Nussbaum does a double take when she sees us E so hard I’m surprised she doesn’t take a quick pic on her phone to send to Gen

Peter keeps stopping to say hi to people, and I stand there s in the world Me and Peter Kavinsky

At one point I try to let go of his hand, because rip “Your hand is too hot,” I hiss

Through clenched teeth he says, “No, your hand is”

I’m sure Genevieve’s hands are never sweaty She could probably hold hands for days without getting overheated

When we get to my locker, we finally drop hands so I can du 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

“Ow!” Peter rubs his forehead and glares at me