β
The next morning, Peter is waiting in the parking lot for me when I get off the bus. βHey,β he says. βAre you seriously taking the bus every day?β
βMy car is being fixed, remember? My accident?β
He sighs like this is somehow offensive to him, me taking the bus to school. Then he grabs my hand and holds it as we walk into school together.
This is the first time Iβve walked down the school hallway holding hands with a boy. It should feel momentous, special, but it doesnβt, because itβs not real. Honestly, it feels like nothing.
Emily Nussbaum does a double take when she sees us. Emily is Genβs best friend. Sheβs staring so hard Iβm surprised she doesnβt take a quick pic on her phone to send to Gen.
Peter keeps stopping to say hi to people, and I stand there smiling like itβs the most natural thing in the world. Me and Peter Kavinsky.
At one point I try to let go of his hand, because mine is starting to feel sweaty, but he tightens his grip. βYour hand is too hot,β I hiss.
Through clenched teeth he says, βNo, your hand is.β
Iβm sure Genevieveβs 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 dump my books inside. Iβm shutting my locker door when Peter leans in and tries to kiss me on the mouth. Iβm so startled I turn my head, and we hit foreheads.
βOw!β Peter rubs his forehead and glares at me.
βWell, donβt just sneak up on me like that!β My forehead hurts too. We really banged them hard, like cymbals. If I looked up right now, I would see blue cartoon birdies.
βLower your voice, dummy,β he says through clenched teeth.
βDonβt you call me a dummy, you dummy,β I whisper back.
Peter heaves a big sigh like heβs really annoyed with me. Iβm about to snap at him that itβs his fault, not mine, when I catch a glimpse of Genevieve gliding down the hallway. βGotta go,β I say, and I dart off in the opposite direction.
βWait!β Peter calls out.
But I keep darting.
β
β
Jenny Han (To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1))