The Stand-In by Steve Bloom

Author:Steve Bloom [Bloom, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: iction, Fiction-Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Social Themes, Class Differences, High Class, Low Class, Working Class, Carolrhoda Lab, Date, Dating, Family & Relationships, High School, High School Dance, High School Dances, Homecoming, Homecoming Date, Prom, Prom Date, Relationship, Relationships, School, School Dance, School Dances, Senior Year, Steve Bloom, Teen, Teenagers, Teens, The Stand-In, Young Adult Readers
ISBN: 9781512418910
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Published: 2016-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Uncle Max

No matter how many times I experience it, it still floors me. That first distant glimpse of the shimmering City on the northbound train. It comes at you all of a sudden, out of nowhere. A massive mountain range of glass, steel, and enterprise, towering past vast marshlands, beyond the glittering Hudson. It’s like that scene in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion go skipping merrily across the fields of poppies toward the Emerald City sparkling ahead—except I don’t pass out stoned on opium. I stare out my window in awe. I haven’t been around much: Boston and Philly a couple of times, Baltimore once, but no great world capitals like London, Paris, or Beijing, but even so, I somehow know in my soul there’s no City like mine. And nothing gets me stoked like just diving into it. Because in the City, you never know what’s around the corner. In the City, any and all things are possible.

---

When I arrive fifteen minutes early, I discover Celia Lieberman’s already there. Perched way up at the top of the great granite stairs to Low Library, sitting cross-legged, absorbed in a book. I almost don’t recognize her because it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her when she wasn’t wearing a doofy gown or fluffy outfit that Gayle’s picked out for her. Bundled in a knit cap, parka, and jeans, Celia Lieberman actually appears somewhat normal. She quickly tucks away the book into a pocket as she spots me approaching. She stands. I hold out my hand for her to shake. She takes it. Looking her steady in the eyes, I shake her hand firmly for a full five seconds, then release it. Her arm flops limply at her side.

“So how was it?” I inquire by way of greeting.

“How was what?” she responds, mystified.

“The average college interview lasts a mere 6.3 minutes,” I explain. “Every second counts. Thus, the handshake, as my one PPC, assumes enormous importance in the Admissions Process.”

“PP say what?”

“Physical Point Of Contact. It’s in all the self-help books.” How so like Celia Lieberman not to know. But then anybody who gets in Early Decision to Stanford doesn’t need to know much about the gentle art of kissing ass like the rest of us mere mortals.

“A short, weak handshake exposes a lack of confidence,” I explain in all seriousness. “But squeeze too long and hard and you might come off as a pushy jerk. The secret’s a comfortable middle zone.”

“You’re scaring me, dude,” she says, stepping back.

I thrust out my hand again.

“Go ahead,” I instruct. “Give it another whirl.”

“If I must.” Celia Lieberman reluctantly re-shakes my hand. I give her the full treatment again—steady look in the eye, count to five, release.

“So how was it?”

“Weird,” she answers. She plucks two cups of hot Starbucks from the steps and presents one to me.

“Better not,” I beg off. “I’m wired enough as it is.”

“You’re nervous?” she asks, surprised.

Yes, I’m nervous. What does

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