Page 61 of The Edge of Falling

"Hey girl, you know what I love about you?"

"No, what?"

"I love that whenever I call, you answer immediately."

"I mean, why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know. You know some people play games and let the phone ring on and on and on to pretend that they're doing something or have a life."

"What are you trying to say, Rosalie?" Alice laughed. "That I don't have a life?"

"No, but you don't play games with me."

"Of course not. You're my best friend. How are things, by the way?"

"Fine. I'm still not talking to him if that's what you're asking."

"So how long are you going to ignore him?"

"Forever," I said simply. "I'm folding up my sheets now, and I'm taking them into Foster's room."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because I realized that leaving the sheets on the couch was making me lazy, and I need to start looking for a job and who knows, maybe I'll find something online that will fit me or you or both of us."

"That sounds cool. I've been looking too. There are so many jobs in New York, but not many that pay well that we're qualified for."

"Well, I was looking at apartments as well."

"You were?" Alice sounded surprised. "But... we're both broke asses."

"I know we're both broke asses, but we need a goal, right?"

"I guess. So you were looking at apartments and...?"

"Well, there are some cheap ones really far down in Brooklyn and in Queens and in the Bronx."

"But didn't we move to New York so we could be in Manhattan?"

"Alice, beggars can't be choosers. We're broke asses, remember?"

"Yeah, but right now, you're staying in your brother's bomb-ass apartment, right?"

"Yeah, and...?"

"And it's free, right?"

"Yeah, and...?"

"So why would we leave that to go to some crappy apartment that's not even in the city?"

"I mean, I know what you're saying, but I can't stay here forever with Oliver and his smarmy voice and his laughing, mocking eyes."

"Oh, Rosalie. I know you're upset, but I'm actually kind of proud of him."

"What?!" I shrieked in shock. "What do you mean you're proud of him?"

"I know you don't want to hear this because you feel rejected, and I would feel absolutely the same way, but wouldn't it have been so much worse if you gave him your virginity and then he just acted like it was nothing?"

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