Page 26 of What I Like About You

In everyone talking all at once, but being unable to access any of the conversation.

“… having Weisner for Englishblows…”

“… dude, yeah, I have McAlister and she’s amazing. Her book list is exclusively women and people of color …”

“… I didn’t think it was possible to screw up cheese pizza, yet here we are …”

“… Sawyer, if you make athat’s sexist against mencomment I’m breaking up with you …”

“… right? It’s so bad …”

“… If you have that little faith in me, maybe I should break up with you …”

“… I actually think it’s pretty good …”

My eyes flicker in circles, my eardrums bounce from conversation to conversation, attempting to piece together the web of relationships. Nash. Molly. Sawyer. Autumn. Taylor. Beth.

Nash + Molly = BFFs

Molly + Sawyer =

Sawyer + Nash = Bros

Autumn = Molly’s other BFF

Taylor + Beth = Autumn’s theater friends. Not Le Crew, but clearly lunch regulars—unlike me.

Overwhelmed by my total inability to naturally insert myself into the conversation, I look down at my phone. It’s the only place I never feel out of place. The home screen displays a string of texts from Amy.

Amy Chen

Happy LAST first day of high school, Kels + Elle!!

12:05 PM

Amy Chen

And happy FIRST first day of high school Samira, our freshman child!!

12:06 PM

I lock the screen. I can’t even respond to the string of texts from my friends, because Nash is here. Next to me. Heknowsmy friends. They’re his friends too.

“So what is your thing, Hal-lee Levitt?” Sawyer asks.

My eyes snap up to meet Sawyer’s. “Huh?”

Could Ibeany more eloquent?

Sawyer Davidson is Molly’s other half. We met this morning in AP psych, when I took the seat Nash had gestured to behind him.I’m not the new kid anymore, Sawyer had said. I laughed and I don’t remember what I said because between the wavy blonde hair and ocean-gray eyes, I was too busy thinkingDamn,Molly Good job.

“You know? Your jam.”

“Like how sometimes Sawyer speaks in syllables,” Molly says.

“And says ‘jam,’?” Autumn adds.

Sawyer rolls his eyes.

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