The Perfect Emotion Read Online Free PDF

my eyes out and take in another bite myself.
    “Wh-at?” He mumbles through his chewing.
    “You know what,” I challenge him.
    “Let me enjoy the pizza first, okay?”
    “Fine.”  We finish up the whole pizza and I drink all my coke.  I wipe my hands up and sit back with my arms crossed under my chest and wait patiently.
    “Ok, under one condition I’ll talk to you.” 
    “What?” I honestly have no idea what he is going to throw my way, but I’m preparing myself for the worst. I cross my fingers against my chest that he doesn’t ask me to talk opening about Reed.
    “Go see a movie with me after this.”  I laugh in relief.  “What did you think I was going to ask?”
    “Nothing, but yea, I’ll go see a movie. I could use a break from studying, deal.” He smiles and the strain of worry sets in on his face. His hands move up and rub up and down on his eyes.
    “What is it?” I ask cautiously. He takes a deep breath in and then hesitates for a moment longer. I don’t push and let him gather himself.
    “I’m just not ready. I can’t do it. Shit.”
    “Not ready for what?” I fear the worst and my heart hurts as I think about the sadness that spread over Kelly’s face today.
    “To meet her parents and everything.”
    “Why?” Again he hesitates, but I just wait patiently.
    “Because I’m not like them.  I don’t come from that kind of money.  Don’t get me wrong my family is great, but I grew up in a small suburb where everyone knows everyone and the biggest house has three bedrooms and a basement.”
    “That doesn’t matter Derek. Kelly is happy with you and I’ve never heard her talk like that.”
    “I know; it’s not her.  Her parents sound like high society socialites.  They put a lot of pressure on her, including how she dresses.  It’s so different from how I grew up, ya know?”  I reach across and put my hand on his arm that is resting on the table and pat it gently.
    “Hey, any parents would be lucky if their daughter brought you to dinner Derek. You are a great guy. Kelly adores you and she’s proud of you obviously.”
    “Just not great enough for you though, huh?”  I glare at him and start to move away, but he grabs my arm.  “Sorry, I didn’t mean that Kate.  That was a selfish and stupid thing to say.”
    “Forgiven,” I state flatly. 
    “I’m sorry, you’re a great friend and I appreciate you talking to me. I don’t know what to do. I really like Kelly, I mean really like her. I guess probably more than like, but it’s so soon. I just don’t want to disappoint her or put myself out there to get rejected.” I move my hands to my chin and rest my elbows down on the table thinking about what to say. We sit in silence for a moment and it’s not uncomfortable.
    “You need to just tell her what you are feeling.  She doesn’t even know this is the reason you don’t want to go and instead you are pushing her away.  But when you tell her and she reassures you, because I’m positive she will reassure you that she doesn’t care what her parents think remember that if you go you are going for her and not her parents. Sometimes you have to do things that you might not want to do for the people you care for or … even love.” I pause and take a in a breath and let it out. “At least that’s what I think.” As the words leave my mouth I can’t help and think of the things that my dad may have had to do for my mom more recently.  Then I think of Reed, my mind floods with the memories and words I left between us.  I wonder if what I did was a selfless act of love.
    “Huh, never thought of it like that.  That’s some smart thinking.”  He doesn’t elaborate anymore on the subject.  I don’t push him any further because I’m hoping it’s enough. 
    We wrap up our bill and he tells me about the movie we are going to see.  As we are walking up to the front Jenna, Quinn and Lynn walk in.  The girls are full of giggles because they’ve had a