The Boy Project Read Online Free PDF Page B

period (the class I’m in).
    That’s because we always sit in the same seats in his class. So before handing them out, I
very lightly
(and very tinily) wrote a code number on the back of each sheet. I used the old initials-are-assigned-a-number-based-on-their-place-in-
the-alphabet code. (The code for my initials is 11-13, for example.)
    This way, I’ll be sure to know if there’s anyone in my class who’s likely to be a match for me. Perfect!
Bedtime
    Even though I was able to distribute my surveys today, it was not the greatest day because
I didn’t get to sit with Evan at lunch. Again.
I heard Maybelline talking about how stupid my surveys were. And even though I don’t care what she thinks at all, I really do.
Maybelline thwarted my research during fifth period! She asked what my note cards were for when I pulled them out of my backpack, so I had
no choice
but to stuff them back in. I’m going to have to keep an eye on her if I want to continue my observations. This is a huge problem since she sits
behind
me, and last time I checked, “eyes in the back of the head” is a genetic mutation currently unavailable to humans.

Wednesday, January 10
Sixth period
    Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I felt the hawk eyes beneath Maybelline’s pale green eyelids on me
all day
. Band is the one class I don’t have with her, so this is the first time I’ve been brave enough to do a little more research. (We’re supposed to be “warming up.”) Since I only have two classes with Malcolm Maxwell, and this is one of them, I might as well concentrate on him.

    Malcolm is a quiet guy. I’d say his soul, like his eyes, is partially hidden (in a not-unattractive, mysterious way). He’s cool without being conceited, somehow. Unfortunately, I can’t observe him too much since the drums are at the back of the class — two rows behind the trumpets.
    He’s not the type of guy that you just go up to and start a conversation with. It would be too odd. Or too obvious. Or something. But once we bumped into each other when he was coming out of the instrument room. I immediately glanced down. (Why don’t I have the guts to look cute, mysterious guys in the eyes?) This gave me a chance to check out those doodles he puts on his high-tops.
    He’s a good artist! I mumbled that I liked his Chucks. And he said, “Cool.” And now you know one hundred percent of the words we’ve exchanged. Ever.
    Mr. Waldorf is rapping his baton on the podium. Gotta go!
After dinner
    Tonight I got a phone call. One that
ruined my life
. One that started with Tabbi saying: “Do you think Evan Carlson is cute?”
    I did.
    â€œDon’t you think he’s nice, too?”
    I did.
    â€œDo you think he’d make a good boyfriend?”
    Did I!
    I closed my eyes and crossed my fingers. This had to be it. Evan had talked to Tabbi and told her that he liked me!
    But that is not what happened. Not at all.
    â€œI’m so glad you think so, Kara! I want my best friend and my boyfriend to get along.” Tabbi giggled.
    I stopped breathing.
    â€œAnna told me that Evan is going to ask me to go out! Wanna guess what I’m going to say?”
    I didn’t.
    â€œI’m going to say yes! I’ll finally have a boyfriend! Do you believe it?”
    I didn’t.
    â€œAs of this time tomorrow, I, Tabbi Reddy, will have a boyfriend.”
    But I didn’t.
    Tabbi kept talking. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want you to still hang out with me and Evan. If you hadn’t gotten me to go talk to him at lunch, he might not have ever noticed me!”
    Thank you, tightwad parents, for denying my request for a webcam! My eyes were overflowing and my heart was thumping so wildly that I’m sure Tabs would have seen it trying to burst through my sweater. Plus, I know my burning face must have been the color of my tom-tom heart.
    Do you have any