The Brat and the Brainiac Read Online Free PDF Page A

major?”
    “Boring old Business. I’m thinking of changing to English Lit, though.”
    “English Lit? Why’s that?”
    “Because I think I want to be a writer,” she says. “Ignatius thinks Uncle Tommy will get mad, but I don’t care. He’s got to stop running my life so much.”
    I sit back then, certain Tommy only invited me to his house to meet Miranda. I’m not too sure how I feel about that (except for really liking her, of course.)
    “He does try to run your life a lot,” I say, thinking about our conversation in his study. “Finish your drink.”
    “You’ll let me see your place?”
    “Yes, but only for a little bit. I have to be up very early.”
    I take her back to my place, and she seems charmed by the courtyard, just like I hoped she’d be.
    “Azaleas? How pretty. Oh, my God, a Japanese elm. I’ve always wanted one.”
    “Gardenias, too, and roses. I don’t know what those over there are,” I say, pointing at the bush with the small lavender flowers on it.
    “I don’t know, either, but I love the color.”
    “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
    I unlock the door and hold it open for her to enter. She stands just inside the doorway, waiting for me to come in and turn on the light. When I do, she looks around, interested.
    “Nice. Nice and clean. I like that.”
    “Yeah, I’m kind of OCD about that.”
    “Good. That’s a good thing to be OCD about. You should see some of those dorm rooms.”
    She shudders at the thought, and the knot in my stomach is back. I hate hearing about the dorm rooms, because it makes me picture her in some dumbass Junior’s twin-sized bed, under the comforter purchased by the guy’s mom.
    “Jeez, I hope they wash the sheets,” I tell her.
    “Good God, yes. I only got between them if they were clean.”
    “How much experience do you have, anyway, if you don’t mind my asking?”
    “Um, I don’t know. Like, maybe eight guys? I’m clean, though. I always make sure they use a condom and I get tested twice a year. So far, nothing.”
    “Would you mind if we get tested together?” I ask
    She dimple-smiles again.
    “Why? Do you like me?”
    “Hold on,” I say, taking off my glasses and setting them aside on the recently dusted end table. I drag her into my arms to finish the kiss that got interrupted the other night at the party. She feels good in my embrace and she’s a good kisser, not all slobbery like my last girlfriend.
    “What do you think?” I ask. “Do you think I like you now?”
    “When can we make the appointment?”
    I kiss her again. This having to be tested first gives me a good excuse not to sleep with her tonight, even though I want to down to my soul.
    “What I really mean is, you see your doctor and I’ll see mine, and we’ll both show each other our results.”
    “Okay. Cool. Fair enough. So, do I get the grand tour, or what?”
    “Yeah,” I say, grabbing my glasses and putting them back on. “Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the place.”
    She follows me into the kitchen, and her inquisitive nature prods her into opening every cupboard and drawer in there. She lingers long over this task, and before I know it, she’s checking out my dinky little refrigerator, one that’s probably half the size of what they have.
    “Does it meet with your approval?” I ask.
    “Yes, of course,” she tells me. “Let’s hit the linen closet.”
    It’s nice to know she takes such an interest in housekeeping, because having an organize d girlfriend exactly suits my personality.
    “You only have two sets of sheets?” she asks me.
    “One to wash and one to put on the bed.”
    She nods and digs a little deeper. I feel a blush steal over my face when she pulls out one of my raggedy old towels and inspects it.
    “They suck,” I admit. “I know. I need to get some new ones.”
    “You can always donate these to the car wash.”
    I don’t say anything else, but she must sense my discomfort, because she folds the towel up neatly and puts