So Much Closer Read Online Free PDF

girl sitting next to him. Who is touching his shoulder.
    He’s with her. They’re together.
    He’s here with another girl.
    This totally goes in the Of Course file. Because of course Scott Abrams is here with another girl. Of course he wasn’t asking me out.
    Could I be a bigger reject?
    After I make my way back behind the crowd, I start running. Three blocks away, I realize that I’m still holding the chair.

    “Uuuhhh!” is all I can say when April picks up.
    “Brooke?”
    “Hi.”
    “You sound weird.”
    “Yeah, I usually sound weird after I’ve been mortified in front of the whole entire world.”
    “What happened?”
    I tell her.
    “Are you sure Scott was with her?” April says.
    “Yes. She had her hand on his shoulder.”
    “That could have been—”
    “He was with her.”
    “Blerg.”
    “I thought he wanted to go with me!”
    “Who was she?”
    “How should I know? I just got here.”
    “Have you seen her at school?”
    “No.”
    “Maybe she doesn’t go there.”
    “Maybe she’s Scott’s girlfriend.”
    “She could have just been a friend.”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I could tell.” It wasn’t as strong as The Knowing, but I immediately got this horrible sinking feeling in my stomach when I saw them together, like they’ve been going out all summer and I’m a complete fool for thinking I ever had a chance with him. “I could not have looked more ridiculous. Scott saw everything. Oh, and I stole a chair.”
    “What?”
    “Nothing. I can’t believe I was hoping this could work.”
    “You don’t even know what he’s thinking. He probably thinks it’s funny.”
    “Do you think it’s funny?”
    “Um ... it might be a little funny.”
    “This is so not funny.”
    “I know,” April says.
    I wish April was here. I’m not used to being by myself at night, and it’s getting lonely. Dad had to work late. This morning I found money and a note on the kitchen counter, saying that I should order whatever I want for dinner. Dad was already gone by the time I woke up. He said he’d probably have to work late a few more nights, but that it’s just temporary craziness. Some big client needs his attention or something. But how could he work late and not even come home for dinner when I just got here?
    I shouldn’t have moved. This was a ginormous mistake. I’m all alone. I don’t know where anything is. I’m a total outsider at school. I don’t know anyone. Scott doesn’t count. He didn’t even recognize me at first. I’m obviously thinking about him way more than he’s thinking about me. And I really don’t see that changing anytime soon. Because how do you convince a boy that you belong together when he’s going out with someone else?

Six
    I’ve discovered the best coffeehouse ever. It’s called Joe the Art of Coffee and it’s only a few blocks away. Mom didn’t let me drink coffee back home. But I would drink it anyway when April and Candice and I hung out at Bean There. What I now realize is that the stuff at Bean There was merely masquerading as coffee. Joe has shown me what real coffee tastes like. It is seriously delicious. They even make these swirly designs on top of the lattes that look like fancy leaf decorations.
    The first time I came here, I felt intimidated. New Yorkers are all so entrenched in their routines in this way that makes you want to run out and get your own routine. Everyone has these automatic motions, ways that are totally ingrained into their daily lives. I feel like a foreigner just watching them. So the first time I came to Joe, it was awkward. I didn’t know where to stand after I ordered. I didn’t know where the napkins were. And were you supposed to leave your mug on the table when you’re done or put it in a bin somewhere?
    Things are different now. I’m really comfortable here. I could totally sit here all day reading or doing origami. I even snagged the prized window table today. I’m attempting to