What if It's Us by Adam Silvera & Becky Albertalli

Author:Adam Silvera & Becky Albertalli [Silvera, Adam & Albertalli, Becky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, General, Lgbtq, Love & Romance, People & Places, United States, Performing Arts, Theater & Musicals, Juvenile Nonfiction, Dance, Social Topics, Dating & Relationships, Humorous Stories
ISBN: 9781471176401
Google: 1QpODwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2018-10-18T14:01:06+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Ben

I’ve been home from my fourth first date with Arthur for a couple hours now, but I’m still coasting on my happy high. It’s like the satisfaction I just got from a scene I wrote, where an old nemesis of Ben-Jamin unexpectedly popped back in and is making things extra tense. It’s this exciting feeling of everything falling into place. Except this happiness is a real thing everyone can see. Like holding Arthur’s hand as we left karaoke. Like the first kiss. Like the second first kiss.

I can’t focus anymore, so I close my laptop. All I can think about is how much I want to still be out on the streets hanging with Arthur. Or even having him over to hang out. Wherever.

I have to talk to him. I don’t even text, I just call.

“Hello?” Arthur asks.

“Hey.”

“It’s actually you. Not a butt-dial. I get everyone’s butt-dials. Always have. Always will. Unless I change my name. Identity change seems like a good idea since I sang you a song about a rat.”

I have only said one word on this call—a call I made—and I’m already ready to settle into another few hours of Arthur rambling. It’s better than my favorite Lorde and Lana Del Rey songs.

“You can sing a different song next time,” I say. I like that we’ll have a next time. That even though things have gone wrong, we’ve tried to make it right. “So I was nervous to admit this at karaoke, but—”

“Please don’t tell me you’re actually a bunch of rats wearing a cute boy as a disguise.”

“Worse.” I take a deep, dramatic breath. “I haven’t listened to Hamilton.”

He doesn’t say anything. Then the line goes dead.

Arthur texts: I’m sorry for hanging up, but I’m speechless. I really need to know something: HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? HAMILTON HAS BEEN OUT FOR YEARS!!!

I laugh at his ridiculousness. Whoa three exclamation points, I text back.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he says.

I’m actually glad we’re doing this over text.

BEN HUGO ALEJO!!!!

So we’re breaking out the full poet name.

So you’ve heard nothing of this millennium’s greatest phenomenon?

I’ve heard some stuff. but I haven’t gone out of my way to sit thru it all. It’s like Terminator movies. I know I should watch them but I haven’t gotten around to it

You did not just compare the history of our great nation to the Terminator franchise.

Haha

BEN. The entire album is on YouTube for free. You need this 142 minutes and 13 seconds in your life.

Pls tell me you had to google how long the soundtrack is

You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.

Ok. if I agree to try it, can I call you back?

PUT IT DOWN IN WRITING.

Do u have a middle name?

Arthur JAMES Seuss is not interested in your changing the subject.

I promise I’ll try out Hamilton for mega fanboy Arthur James Seuss

I’m shaking my head and smiling when Arthur calls me back. “I’m sorry I had to hang up on you,” he says. “But Hamilton is very serious business.”

“I get that now.” I’m staring at my ceiling and I really wish he was here.

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