Falling Into Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

cocky, arrogant self. “Um, god, I’m making a mess of this.”
    “I do not even know what it is you are making a mess of, Jason. Just say what you called me to say.” I was nervous and trying not to be a bitch, so I sounded formal and stilted from my effort to not stutter.
    “Okay, it’s like this. You know how I asked Nell out today?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, the thing is, the date never happened.”
    “So I surmised from the fact that you are speaking to me instead of Nell.” I just couldn’t figure out what he wanted. Why was he calling me?
    “Well, she’s with Kyle. I think they’re, like, together.”
    I couldn’t have been more shocked if I tried. “But she agreed to a date with you. I don’t understand.”
    “Yeah, me, either. I showed up at her house to pick her up, and she wasn’t there. She called me from Kyle’s phone and cancelled the date.”
    “You mean she wanted to do it another time.” Why would Nell agree to a date with Jason if she was with Kyle? And since when was she with Kyle? Nothing made sense. And I still didn’t know why Jason was calling me about this, of all people. We were hardly friends.
    “No,” Jason said, sounding obviously frustrated. “I mean, she told me it wouldn’t work out, meaning ever .”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. I know you liked her a lot.” I didn’t know what else to say. All through elementary school, junior high, and high school, I’d wanted Jason to see me, to pay attention to me, but all he could see was Nell.  
    “God, does everyone know? I didn’t realize it was that obvious.” He sounded irritated.
    I couldn’t help laughing. “It is kind of obvious, Jason, yes. You’ve had a crush on her for a very long time. Anyone who knows you and her both can see it.”
    “Except her.”
    “Yes, except her,” I agreed. “Again, what does this have to do with me?”
    A long silence from the other end of the conversation announced to me that Jason was clearly uncomfortable or nervous about whatever he’d called me to say.  
    “I—well, I have reservations at Bravo,” he said, “and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me.”
    The penny dropped, finally. “Y-you what? Oh, hell n-no, Jason! You did not just-just ask me out as Nell’s sloppy se-seconds! Ugh!” I groaned in anger, at Jason for both insulting me like he just had, and for making me so angry I had reverted to incoherent stuttering.
      “No, Becca, it’s not like that, I promise!”  
    I took several deep breaths and focused on forming my words clearly. “Please explain your reasoning to me, Jason. I am afraid I do not see how you arrived at your conclusion that this was a good idea.”
    Jason moaned, a distant, muffled sound as if he’d buried his face in his hand with the phone held away from his face. “Listen, Becca. This wasn’t even my idea. None of it.”
    “Well, that absolutely helps me feel better about this. Do continue.”
    Jason laughed. “God, Becca. You’re funny when you’re pissed.”
    “I’m funny all the time. You just never knew until now.”
    He laughed again, which wasn’t helping my attempts to stay mad. “See? Funny. Maybe you’re right. Maybe you are funny all the time, and I just never knew. Give me a chance to find out.”
    “Why? Do you even understand how insulting this is?” I spoke in a mocking deep voice. “‘Oh, hi, I got dumped and you’re my consolation prize.’ Wow, Jason. I’d be so honored . Or not.”
    “I thought you were going to give me a chance to explain?” Jason asked.
    “Okay, fine. Go.”
    “I’m in your subdivision already, so how about you tell me which house is yours, and I’ll pick you up. I’ll explain the whole sordid affair over dinner.”
    “Wow, you used a big word, Jason. Good job.”
    He sounded a little hurt, actually, and I felt a twinge of guilt. “Damn, Becca. That wasn’t cool. Not all jocks are dumb, you know.” He paused and then continued. “Besides, sordid isn’t that big