The Tragedy of Loving Jamie Clarke Read Online Free PDF Page A

much convincing to get her to come over to help me get ready for my date with Jamie tonight. “Working on your book?”
    I slam the laptop shut and swivel around on the chair. “If you call debating hitting the delete all button working on it then, yes I am.” 
    Amber rolls her eyes and begins digging through the closet. “If you keep deleting it you’ll never get anything done. Didn’t you say that most published authors say to write it as it comes to you and then go back and edit it later on?”
    I hate it when she quotes me to me.
    “Yes, but when you’re writing garbage editing becomes impossible,” I explain.
    “Okay, whatever you say Ape. Write tomorrow, tonight it’s all about your date with Jamie!” 
    I’m not even sure it’s really a date, he just asked if I could show him around town; is that an official “ask out” or am I reading too much into it? Everyone who knows about it thinks it’s a date and when I told my parents my mother practically flew off the couch and into my lap.
    “I told you that brace wasn’t the end of your social life!” Mom gives me a big hug and says, “I’m happy to see you’re realizing that there’s more to life than five guys dancing around and singing.”
    Anna and Jason Marks don’t necessarily encourage me to date but they also don’t discourage it. I am a sensible person and have never done anything to make them question me. They trust almost all of my choices, thus far, but they’ve been terrified these last few weeks that I’ll lock myself in a depression and wither away as the new brace consumes me. So the idea of me going out and being social is like winning the lottery to them.
    “Is it even really a date?” I ask, almost in a whisper.
    “Is anyone else going with you tonight?” Amber lines a floral dress against me.
    “No, at least I don’t think so,” I reply.
    Amber tosses the dress into a growing pile of discarded outfits on the floor and continues to browse through the closet.
    “Nothing looks good with this damn brace on!” I scream. “That’s five dresses we’ve tried that won’t work and these stupid bars just rip my shirts if the neck isn’t wide enough. You know my mom and dad took me shopping for new clothes the day after I got this brace and still…”
    “Oh stop that, we’ll find something,” Amber assures me. “I thought for sure you were going to try to convince your parents to let you leave the brace off for the night since it’s a special occasion.”
    “I did, but they had a brief phone call with Dr. Meresh, who said it wouldn’t be wise, and they turned me down. I don’t see how a few hours without it is going to change anything other than to improve my mental state.”
    “I’m sorry Ape, but it is going to be okay,” Amber says as she lines up a black skirt and pink blouse, which I would never wear.
    “Maybe it’s not a date,” I flop onto the bed and dangle my feet over the side, “and I’m freaking out for nothing.”
    “Is he picking you up?” Amber asks.  
    “He’s meeting me here, yes.”
    “Then it’s a date.”
    I feel sick. “Maybe I shouldn’t go.” Amber cocks her lips to the side and stomps her foot. “Okay, I’ll go. I just wish you were coming with us tonight. You would have been a great buffer during all those awkward silences we’re going to have.”
    Tonight it is going to be Jamie and me, alone. Solo. Mano-y-mano. Nope, I can’t do this. My head is spinning. I focus my thoughts on the Backstreet Boys poster hanging above my bed. Since the rest of my room is covered with other posters, pictures and musings from the group, the ceiling was my only option. I don’t mind waking up and seeing the five guys, in their white suits and top hats, staring back at me. Actually, I wish they could sing some sense into me right now.
    “Why did I let you talk me into this?” I whine as I throw my arms over my face for dramatic effect.
    “Oh stop being so dramatic, Ape. You must have