Perfect Chemistry 1 by Simone Elkeles

Author:Simone Elkeles [Elkeles, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-05-24T19:03:32+00:00

across her face. "My parents don't like when I have people over."

"Are they home?"

"No." She sighs, then opens the door hesitantly.

I step inside. The house is even bigger than it looks from the

outside. The walls are painted bright white, reminding me of a hospital.

I swear dust wouldn't have the nerve to land on their floors or

counters. The two-story foyer boasts a staircase that rivals the one I

saw in The Sound of Music, which we were forced to watch in junior

high, and the floor is as shiny as water.

Brittany was right. I don't belong here. It doesn't matter, because

even if I don't belong in this place, she's here and I want to be where

she is.

"Well, what did you want to talk about?" she asks.

I wish her long, lean legs weren't sticking out from her shorts.

They're a distraction. I look away from them, desperate to keep my

wits. So what if she has sexy legs? So what if she has eyes as clear as

glass marbles? So what if she can take a prank like a man and give it

right back?

Who am I kidding? I have no reason for being here other than the

fact that I want to be near her. Screw the bet.

I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what

makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me

as if I'm her knight in shining armor.

"Bwiee!" a distant voice echoes through the house, breaking the

silence.

"Wait here," Brittany orders, then hurries down a hallway to the

right. "I'll be right back."

I'm not about to stand here like a jackass in the foyer. I follow

her, knowing I'm about to get a glimpse into her private world.

TWENTY-NINE : Brittany

I'm not ashamed of my sister's disability. But I don't want Alex to

judge her. Because if he laughs, I couldn't take it. I whip around.

"You're not good at following directions, are you?"

He grins as if saying, I'm a gang member, what did you expect?

"I have to check on my sister. Do you mind?"

"Nope. It'll give me a chance to meet her. Trust me."

I should kick him out, tattoos and all. I should, but I don't.

Without another word, I lead him into our dark, mahogany-paneled

library. Shelley is sitting in her wheelchair, her head awkwardly

slumped to the side as she watches television.

When she realizes she has company, her gaze shifts from the

television to me to Alex.

"This is Alex," I explain, shutting off the TV. "A friend from

school."

Shelley gives Alex a crooked smile and hits her specialized

keyboard with her knuckles. "Hello," says a feminine, computerized

voice. She hits another button. "My name is Shelley," the computer

continues.

Alex kneels down to Shelley's level. The simple act of respect

tears at something suspiciously like my heart.

Colin always ignores my sister, treating her as if she's blind and

deaf as well as physically and mentally disabled.

"What's up?" Alex says, taking Shelley's stiff hand in his and

shaking it. "Cool computer."

"It's a personal communication device or PCD," I explain. "It helps

her communicate."

"Game," the computer voice says.

Alex moves beside Shelley.

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