Life In The Palace Read Online Free PDF

enquire what grade I got. Eyebrows got raised when I slept at Spike’s on the weekend. I went from being the second kid to being the only kid. I hadn’t really minded playing second fiddle to Stacy all those years.
    “Suddenly I’m the champion of all their hopes and dreams, and they’re watching me like a hawk to make sure I don’t turn out like her. But I already had a life and friends, and soon I’m sneaking around to keep doing same things I was doing before. After a while I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
    I suddenly remembered I was talking to someone else. Maybe Spike’s right. It might be time for therapy if I’m spilling my guts to some random stranger.
    It dawned on me that acting as my unofficial therapist was the most attractive man I’d ever met. I sighed inwardly. Spike can say what she likes but I am definitely not going to end up with Mr. Perfect eyebrows, because every time I speak to him I prove how totally lame I really am.
    I glanced over at him. His eyes hadn’t left my face. I couldn’t read his expression, but it was one of neither the amusement nor pity I had expected to see. He looked like he was about to say something. I turned my head and waited. His eyes flickered away from mine for a second.
    “I guess Texas’ loss is Montreal’s gain.” He said quietly.
    Someone called his name from across the circle. Five guys in loose fitting pants, most with their hair in short ponytails were motioning to Seth to join them. A grin spread across his face.
    He looked back at me. “Excuse me.” I nodded. It wasn’t like I had any hold on him. I’d probably had more than my allotted share of Seth time.
    Does Seth know everyone in this whole city? Or does everyone just know Seth? I hope for his sake that he’s very good with names. Look at all of these people, he talks to each one like they’re his best friend. It really works, ten seconds ago I was about to believe he was interested in my pathetic little saga. He must make everyone feel that way.
    “Are you enjoying?” Bernie asked to my right.
    I nodded. “I was just thinking that Seth should run for office.”
    She smiled, “Don’t worry he probably will. Dwayne is already on board as his campaign manager.”
    “He knows all of these people from the bar?”
    “Some. He was also editor of the college newspaper last year. And he gets around.”
    He’s pre-med, a philosophy major, the editor of a college newspaper and he plays in a band. This guy can’t be for real.
    Bernie saw the look on my face. “He doesn’t sleep much.” She explained.
    “What are they doing now?” Four made a loose circle, while the one I thought of as the leader stood in the middle.
    “Capoeira”
    I’d never heard of it. I shrugged.
    “It’s a form of Brazilian martial arts. Watch, it’s cool.”
    Laughing, Seth stood and entered the circle. The crew around the edge began a lyrical chant. Quickly a crowd gathered, clapping their hands in time to the chant. The leader moved from side to side in time with the chant. Seth, still laughing, mimicked his movements. They danced around each other, and then the dance became more complicated. Still in time with the chant, they kicked and lunged. Seth kicked out and the leader whirled under his raised leg. The leader pivoted on one hand, his legs deftly avoiding Seth’s next move. It was a mix between very slow break-dancing and tae kwon do.
    After about five minutes, Seth bowed elaborately to his opponent and moved backward out of the circle. Immediately his place was taken by one of the original men. By now there must have been fifty people watching. In comparison to this pair, Seth was just a beginner: They span together like an oversized executive toy, flying over and under each other as though they were tied together.
    He’s not that good at it. All those people watched him do something he’s not very good at, and he didn’t care. Stacy’s every move seemed crafted, perfectly presented for the