The Twelve Dates of Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

kill him if you dump him out of the blue.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’m not planning to dump Cam at all.” I smiled slowly as a great idea popped into my head. Who says scientists can’t be creative? “No, I’ve just realized there’s a much kinder, gentler way to handle this. I’m going to get
Cam
to break up with
me
!”
    â€œHuh?” Allie looked perplexed. “What are you talking about, Lexi?”
    â€œYeah.” Nick set down his threaded cranberries and peered at me suspiciously. “Since when do you play those kinds of games? You’ve always been a straight shooter.”
    I raised an eyebrow at him. “Actually, you were the inspiration for this plan.”
    â€œMe?” Nick blinked. “You’re pinning this on
me
?”
    â€œYeah. Just look at you—Rachel dumped you almost a month ago, and you’re still a mess. And you guys were together less than a year.” I shook my head. “No way do I want to do that to Cam. It’ll be way easier on him if I let him make the decision to end things.”
    â€œI hope you’re not in a hurry,” Allie said dubiously.
    â€œI’m not,” I replied, tossing a piece of popcorn into my mouth. “I won’t rush it. These things take time.”
    â€œNo.” Allie shook her head. “I mean, I hope you aren’t counting on Cam suddenly deciding to dump you anytime this century. Because it’s not going to happen.”
    â€œShe’s right, Lex.” Nick stretched out his legs and flicked a stray cranberry off the knee of his jeans. “The dude has it bad for you. He never even
looks
at other girls. Not even superhot, half-naked ones.” He licked his lips. “Mmm, half-naked girls,” he Homer Simpsoned.
    I rolled my eyes. Maybe there was aglimmer of light at the end of Nick’s tunnel of heartbreak after all.
    â€œAnyway,” he went on, “if you’re really set on ending things, you should just go ahead and do it. Cam is going to be totally devastated either way.”
    â€œNot if I do this right,” I countered, the plan forming more fully in my mind even as I spoke. “All I have to do is set things up so he falls for another girl. That way, he’ll realize for himself that we’ve been growing apart and then
he’ll
break up with
me
.” I shrugged. “He’s too honest to do anything else once he’s seen the light. And that way, no one’s heart gets broken. If I handle it right, we can totally stay friends and enjoy the rest of senior year together without all the complications and wondering where our relationship is going and stuff. It’s winwin. Totally foolproof!”
    â€œYou’re nuts, Lexi,” Allie said. “I’m telling you, it’ll never work. Cam adores you.”
    â€œAnd I adore him.” I sighed as they both stared at me with skepticism written all over their faces. Just because I was able to look at the situation logically, it didn’t mean I didn’t have feelings or that this wasn’t tearing me up inside. “Listen,you guys, I wish I didn’t have to do this. But I’ve been over all the options, and it’s the only way. Cam and I are just too different. That’s okay in high school, but we won’t be in high school much longer. That means it’s time for some tough choices. Like it or not.”
    Nick rolled his eyes. “Oh, please,” he said, reaching for the popcorn bowl. “If you keep this up, you’ll have to quit the Science Geekettes of America and join the drama club.”
    I reached over and gave him a shove. “I’m serious, smart guy,” I said. “If you can think of a better idea to handle this, then spill it.”
    â€œI can think of a better idea,” Allie put in. “Stay with Cam. Figure things out. Live happily ever after.”
    That was Allie for you. Hopeless romantic.