Kiss And Blog Read Online Free PDF Page A

with her perfect, Crest Whitestrips smile. “So, everyone, just try to work hard but
have fun!”
    That last “have fun” part was said by all of them. And I watch in amazement as they all just sort of naturally lean in, heads close together, like they’re posing for the world’s cutest group photo.
    I look over at Sloane, who is gazing at them in awe, watching as a swarm of girls rush them, like orphans to Angelina Jolie, and I go, “So, you wanna go back to your house and practice?”
    But she just shakes her head, gets up, and heads straight for the receiving line. And I, unable to see any other option, just stand up and follow.
    When it’s finally her turn to speak, Sloane smiles and says, “Omigod!” And then tentatively reaches out to touch Ginny’s hand. “I just
love
your ring! Where’d you get that?”
    And since up until this exact moment I hadn’t even noticed she was wearing a ring, I scoot in even closer, peeking over Sloane’s shoulder and peering at Ginny’s bejeweled finger. But still, all I can see is just a thick, silver band with three small purple stones across the front, and as I stand there and stare at it, I can’t help but wonder what all the fuss is about.
    But Ginny raises her hand up high, gazing at it with unabashed admiration, then she looks at Sloane and smiles and goes, “Thanks, Spence just gave it to me.”
    That would be Andy Spence. The Lincoln Navigator- driving, USC-bound, varsity-footballing best friend of Cash Davis, who for some inexplicable reason, goes by his last name.
    I just stand there and watch as Sloane leans even closer to the ring, making me wonder if she’s gonna get down on her knees and kiss it, like you do with the pope. And then I look at Ginny, and the way she’s gazing at Sloane reminds me of how I sometimes look at Autumn (when we’re not fighting). You know, that kind of adoring, protective, big sister look. And as I’m watching this unfold, I suddenly realize how even though it all seems kind of comical and phony to me, it’s also pretty obvious that something very important is happening here. That this is actually a very critical moment in our social strategy. That with one, well-timed, perfectly delivered, halfhearted compliment, Sloane has managed to take one giant leap forward for both of us.
    And then Ginny’s eyes meet mine, giving me this expectant look, and knowing I have to say something, too, or risk looking like a lame retard mute, I lean in and go, “Oh, yeah. It’s so cool! Really, totally cool.” And even though I nod vigorously and smile with all my might, I can tell she’s not buying it.
    “Okay, well, good luck,” she says, turning away dismissively, focusing her attention on the fans waiting impatiently behind us.
    “So,” I say, grabbing my backpack and following Sloane outside. “What do you think? My house or yours?”
    But Sloane just storms ahead without answering. And just as I’m thinking she didn’t hear, and I’m about to repeat the question, she turns on her heel and shakes her head. “Winter, I can’t even believe you,” she says. “That sounded so fake just now.” She looks at me with her lips all grim and her eyes all judgmental and harsh.
    But I just shrug. “Please. You wanna hear fake? How about ‘and while we totally wish we could choose each and every one of you’!” I mimic, shaking my head and laughing out loud.
    ”Shhh!” She glances around frantically, then looks at me and rolls her eyes. “Omigod, just tell me, once and for all, do you want to move forward with this or not? Because to be honest, it’s starting to seem like you don’t.” She folds her arms across her chest, in a perfect example of defensive body language 101.
    “Of course I do! But come on, you gotta admit, a lot of this stuff is just
so fake!”
I laugh. “I mean, be honest, you didn’t really like that ring, did you?” But when she looks at me, shaking her head and narrowing her eyes, I know I may have gone