The Sphere Read Online Free PDF

eyes met while we sat at the empty end of the beach. I would say it, but I won’t, because I know it’s not true. I don’t even know what part of my brain, which wire threw the sparks that made me stand up and hurry away from the dinner table. The next thing I remember is seeing Axel in the distance, next to the phone booth. He looked so calm. If I hadn’t come, would he have waited there for me for a while? I suppose so. He sees me, and smiles, and tucks something into the pocket of his jacket. He waves.
    And here we are, at the famous party that was supposed to be tiny. I’m beginning to wonder if the concept of a small party might be different for college students. I take note; after all, soon I’ll be a college student, too. Axel seems happy that I’ve come with him. Correction: he isn’t happy, he is overjoyed , and the god of misfits knows I don’t use that word lightly. He hasn’t stopped introducing me to people since we got here. I don’t remember a single name; I couldn’t even if I tried. I’ve seen too many faces, too many hands go by. I can’t take my eyes off of Axel. All of my attention has been focused on him for the last half an hour. He knows everyone! And here I thought he was a little odd. Honestly, I was sure he was a freak, but here they adore him. And no, noooo, it’s not that we’re dealing with a whole gang of freaks here. At least not the kind I’m used to. They’re nice, I can’t say that they’re not, but they make me feel so out of place. They all went to school someplace top-notch, that’s clear. Speaking in refined tones about things I don’t even understand. Now that I think about it, I don’t know where the hell I fit in here. As the freak of the party, I guess. 
    “What’s that face for?” Axel asks me quietly, with his perennial smile. He squeezes my hand affectionately. “I hope you don’t feel uncomfortable.”
    I’m about to say that I have no reason to feel uncomfortable, but that would tell him that I am. I look at him and keep smiling. I wonder if he really likes me, and my own answer comes as a surprise. It’s clear that he does. You just have to look at him. I don’t understand it, I’ll never like myself... God, now I’m just rambling.
    “You’re really not uncomfortable?”
    “No.”
    “So why won’t you stop fidgeting?”
    I say nothing, and just give him the most natural smile I can muster. The umpteenth girl of the night comes over and greets Axel, letting her hand rest on his neck. Does she not see that we’re having a private moment? No, she doesn’t see, or she doesn’t want to see. It seems like it’s not just my parents who act like I’m invisible—it’s the rest of St Andrews, too. Great. I haven’t even started college life and I’m a resounding success. Axel’s fingers keep brushing against my hand. The little princess prattles on, and without thinking twice I take Axel’s hand just to make it totally clear that he’s all mine. Wait, really? Did I just call him all mine ? Now I really am rambling.
    “I’m not going anywhere,” Axel whispers softly to me.
    I realize that I’m squeezing his hand much harder than necessary. The little princess has gone. He didn’t introduce me, but there was no need—I didn’t want to meet her, either.
    Is he even more handsome than usual, or does it just seem that way to me? Dissie, try not to drool. I look around: so many pretty girls! And the outfits they’re wearing! It’s like we somehow slipped into the pages of a fashion magazine. Axel should have warned me. Here I am in one of my extra-large t-shirts—not like there’s much else in my closet. It’s like night and day: high heels, minidresses, makeup, and me in my jeans and t-shirt. Are they staring at me because of that, or because I’m with him? I guess it’s both: because I’m dressed like this and I’m with him. Wait a second, why didn’t he introduce me to the last girl? A million different far-fetched