Falling for You Read Online Free PDF Page A

and leaned in a little. His breath smelled like bubble gum, and I swear my heart dropped to my stomach. What was I doing with this guy?
    “I’m actually nothing like my dad,” he said playfully. “I hate creepy stuff.”
    “But you’ve read his books, right?”
    He shook his head.
    My eyes got big. “Not one?”
    He shook his head again.
    “Wow. I read three of them last summer. He’s a really good writer!”
    He laughed. “Yeah. That’s what I’ve heard.” He glanced over at the scoreboard. “Okay, five minutes of halftime left. Quick, tell me something about you. Or even better, two or three things. Before your friends come back.”
    After hearing about his dad, just thinking about telling him anything about my pathetic life made me feel slightly ill. I couldn’t tell him anything really personal. Not yet, at least.
    “Okay, well, let’s see. I’m pretty sure I’m the Foo Fighters’ number one fan.”
    He crinkled his face. “Really?”
    I sat back. “What? You don’t like them?”
    “Aren’t they some old, washed-up band?”
    “Are you kidding? Every album they make gets nominated for at least one Grammy Award. I don’t even know how many they’ve won, and quite a few recently.”
    He scratched his nose and got quiet for a second, like he was trying to think of a good response. All he said was, “Okay, what else?”
    I nervously tucked my hair behind my ears. I wasn’t used to this much interest in myself. And from a boy, no less. “I have the best job ever, at a flower shop called Full Bloom.”
    “Wow, a working girl,” he said. “That’s impressive. How often do you work?”
    “After school most days, and almost every Saturday. But it’s not even like a job, because I love it there so much, you know? Most of the time I get to deliver flowers, and it’s such a great feeling, bringing people a little bit of joy in a vase. Plus, I adore my boss and coworker. Honestly, I’d much rather be there than hanging out at home with nothing to do.”
    Nathan sat back, leaning his elbows on the bleachers behind him. “But when do you have time for fun?”
    “I don’t know. I make time, I guess.”
    The cheerleaders finished their halftime routine, and Iwatched him eye them as they left the field. I felt like I was on a love-gone-wrong episode on a bad reality TV show. According to him, I loved a washed-up band and I never had fun. Wow, we were off to a great start.
    As Alix and Felicia ambled up the steps, carrying drinks and candy, I wanted to jump up and kiss them, I was so happy they’d come back. Alix laughed at something Felicia said, causing Nathan to turn and notice them. I guess their approach prompted him to get to the point.
    “Go out with me?” he asked as he stood up. “You don’t work Saturday nights, right?”
    Seriously? Like, this was so much fun you can’t wait for more? I tried to think of an excuse. Maybe I already had plans. Maybe my mom and I were doing something.
    “Right, I don’t work,” I said. “But—”
    “Good,” he interrupted. “Meet me at the Mushroom tomorrow night at seven.”
    It wasn’t a question. More of a demand. My friends stood behind him now, and Alix had obviously heard him, because she gave me a look that said, Do it or I’ll kill you , as she nodded her head like a madwoman. Pressure was coming at me from all sides, and so, I caved.
    “Yeah. Sure. I’ll see you at seven.”
    A look of satisfaction came over his face. “Perfect. I can’t wait.” And then he returned to his seat.
    Alix sat down next to me shoving two yellow packages of M&M’s into my hands before she threw her arms around me and gave me a hug.
    “You did it, you did it!” she said. “You didn’t run away!”
    She was right. I didn’t. But why did a small part of me feel like that’s exactly what I should have done?

first date
    SEVEN O’CLOCK. I WAS ON TIME. HE WASN’T. I SAT IN MY FAVORITE booth and waited, spinning Grandma’s ring around on the table.