Torch Red: Color Me Torn with Bonus Content Read Online Free PDF

which shoes look best. Tonight it was boots. Really, it’s just not as simple as it looks. But, after a couple of hours and a totally ransacked closet, I finally got it together just right. And I could tell that not only Justin but also some of my friends were glancing at me like I was looking good. Huge relief. What if I’d looked like a dog on my very first date with Hamilton High’s coolest guy?
    Even so, I do feel a bit self-conscious as I walk across the gym floor with him. But that is mostly due to the fact that Justin and Iare like
the latest news
. Emily gives me a subtle thumbs-up, since I’d already clued her in to what was going on. But I’d also asked her
not
to tell
anyone
, and being a good trustworthy friend, she didn’t. I can tell she didn’t by the expressions of shock. Kirsti Quackenbush even drops a pom-pom she’s so stunned. But then Kirsti is pretty good friends with Katy, and it’s possible that she thinks I shouldn’t be going out with Justin now. Or maybe Kirsti is bummed that she missed her own opportunity.
    I see Shawna sitting up on the bleachers with some of the drama kids and I’m happy that she’s fitting in so well. Todd’s with them, but at least he’s not sitting right next to Shawna. Then I remind myself, hey, it’s not my problem anyway! I’ve warned Emily several times now. But she just acts like she and Todd are so tight, so committed to each other, that no one could possibly break them up. I cannot imagine having that kind of confidence in a guy. Especially someone as hot as Justin, or even Todd. But then I remember that she and Todd have had sex. And I wonder if
that’s
what makes her so sure of herself.
    Justin finds us a good seat, and we sit down and start visiting with friends as well as each other, and I’m relieved that he’s not one of those guys who brings his girlfriend to a game then just leaves her on her own until it’s over. I’ve seen some guys do that and I think it’s totally rude. So I’m sitting here next to Justin, thinking,
all right—now this is the way it’s supposed to be!
    “What’s up with you and Justin?” asks Kirsti as the dance team does their halftime performance.
    “What do you mean?” I act like I’m clueless.
    “I mean”—she glances over her shoulder—“are you like going out?”
    “We came to the game together.”
Like duh, what do you think?
    “So are you like a couple then?”
    I just shrug and then wave at Emily and hurry over as if I have something important to tell her.
    “Kirsti is totally baffled,” says Emily. “It’s like she just can’t believe it.”
    I roll my eyes. “Like he’s too good for me?”
    “Oh, I don’t think that’s it.”
    “Or maybe she wishes she’d gotten to him first, since she’s temporarily out of a boyfriend.”
    “Well, knowing Kirsti, that won’t last too long. But tell me, how’s it going? Do you really like him?”
    I nod eagerly. “He is sooo nice, Emily. Right now he’s out there getting me a Coke, and you know how long those lines are during halftime.”
    “Yeah, I’ve always thought Justin was a good guy.” Emily smiles. “I’m so happy for you!”
    Then Justin comes back with my drink and we resume our spots on the bleachers and I am feeling like I’m on top of the world. So cool.
    But the basketball game seems to literally fly by. And I’m having such a good time that I don’t even feel too bad that our team loses, although I do put on the obligatory act. I suppose I am sort of sad, but mostly because the game is over and my date with Justin will soon come to an end.
    But then he invites me to go to Chevy’s with him and, of course, I agree. I mean why would I want this date to ever end? Chevy’s is this new fifties-style restaurant downtown. It’s partly owned by Coach Hampton (the football coach) and last fall he talked a lot of his players into hanging out here pretty often. It’s kind of funky with all its fifties memorabilia, and sometimes