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“No” He chuckles

“Did I say so funny?”

“You honestly think I’ someone?”

“Why are you saying it like I insulted you—are you too good to date? Is no one sh for you?”

It would uys like him—ambitious ones with their lives planned out—rarely find time for a person who doesn’t possess the same drive and determination

I would know because that’s how my dad is

Roirls at the bottom of the stairs

I recognize one of them as Kaylee Sheffield; she’s a cheerleader, too, but she’s a flyer and we don’t practice in the saroups so I rarely have the chance to talk to her

“They’re pretty,” I say “Do you want to go talk to them?”

He snorts “As if any of those girls would give me the time of day”

Ahh

I get it

Roman doesn’t date because he doesn’t have the self-confidence I’ve seen plenty of people like that before, not just guys but girls too, doubting and second-guessing theh—the sauy ants to work at NASA and program spaceships

“I don’t think you should judge them based on their appearances Everyone has a type”

His neck swivels “We’re on Jock Row at a baseball party—I’ll give you one guess as to what their type is”

Fine, he’s got me there, but only on a technicality

Still

He’s stereotyping theuess what?

I’m used to it

Cheerleaders may not be considered the studious type, and sure, I’m no brainiac so some of the stereotypes in ive everyone a chance I try not to judge, and I try to give people the benefit of the doubt

I fiddle with the bracelet on o in front of the television, sittingshow It’s reen and pink—in an intricate pattern I learned one summer at camp

I rub the soft yarn between er

“So, you think if you went down and talked to those girls, you’d get rejected?”

Roman doesn’t look at me “Um, what do you think”

“I think you shouldn’t doubt yourself”

He’s silent, but in the dim shadows, I can see his lips purse; he wants to respond but isn’t going to

Then, finally—

“What about you? Why aren’t you down there flirting and having a good time?”

My head gives a tiny shake “I don’t have the energy—I have to be up early toht, I also didn’t want to sit in the dorms by myself”

Plus, I didn’t want to be there when the new roomie arrived