My head, though, was being assaulted by a teenager having a
“Oh my god! I touched her hand! Her skin was soft and her fing
“She’s touching the place where I touched the trophy, is that b
“I touched her hand and brushed her a little…she’s smart, she r
“What is she thinking right now? I can’t look!”
Hearing his inner chaos, I couldn’t help but feel kind of… happy
The warm spring wind blew over us, carrying his heart with it.
No words needed, all was loud and clear.
11
With college just weeks away, everyone was scrambling to mak
I saw less and less of Jason, but whenever we did connect, I wa
The day before graduation, I saw Jason walking down the hallw
“Jason, wait up!” I called.
He froze, then turned to me, face instantly red.
went up to him, got close, and brushed his nose with my own.
<
He was breathing hard, Adam’s apple going nuts.
“Oh no, oh no, Sarah’s so smooth!”
584
“My heart’s racing. She’s gonna kiss me, right? Or is this some
“Too many people around! So embarrassing!”
“Fine, whatever, it’s worth the risk. What’s the best way to kiss
He thought about kissing me almost as much as he thought ab
I leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Jason, it’s senior year, do
“Did she just say she wants me to try? Yay!”
“Wait, did I hold back for her? Am I actually that transparent?”
“She’s the best!”
“See you at Stanford, Jason.”
He stared at me, eyes intense.
く
“Oh god, this is happening! She wants me to be with her at Star
“She’s going to be my friend. And maybe my girlfriend, then my
Me: …
Jason, all calm and collected, said, “I’ll see you at the top.”
“Play it cool. Play it cool. Don’t let her see me turning bright rec
I don’t know why, but maybe after hearing it for so long, Jason‘:
Here’s to the summer. I hoped we’d both make our way to the t
12
The final test bell rang, I put my pen down.
After all that hard work, the bell was more bittersweet than I th
I could barely sleep the night before test scores came out.
712!
I reread the number on the screen, tears welling up in my eyes.
It was way more than my practice exams.
The school posted the results online.
Jason’s name was at the very top.
731!
He’d shattered all previous school records.
My name was right below his.
I gotta hand it to the dude, he really did take my advice to heart
13
The high school principal booked a restaurant to celebrate the t
Jason and I were placed next to each other.
Jason was wearing a black shirt, neatly tucked into his suit pant
<
“OMG I’m screaming inside! She’s looking at me. My life is cor
Hearing him call me “she” and “complete,” my ears turned rec
Did he just call me “she?”
14
“This is the first time I’ve been this close to her outside of clas
“She keeps eyeing that chicken wing. Maybe I should give it to
Jason spun the lazy susan, moving the plate toward me.
Then, using the serving tongs, he filled my plate.
The principal, staring, was in total shock.
All eyes were on me, including my teachers and Jason’s homer
I needed to eat!
“That’s enough, Jason,” I said.
<
“Okay,” he replied.
15
GODO
594
“Did I give her too many chicken wings? I hope I didn’t make it
“I can’t believe I just did that. I didn’t think about it, just did it.
“I gotta go for it. If I keep going like this I’ll get nowhere. I nee
I looked over at Jason. He was a mess. He was kind of cute.
Maybe I could help him.
“Jason, wanna trade numbers?”
He froze, face flushed.
“You mean…?” he asked.
I nodded.
16
<
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! I just got her number! Th
Jason pulled out his phone, his hands shaking.
“Why are my hands shaking? I look like a fool. This is my life, I
He turned to face me, and knocked over his soda.
It spilled all over him.
His excitement turned into utter dismay.
