The Opposite of Me by SARAH PEKKANEN

Author:SARAH PEKKANEN
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS
Published: 2010-10-05T04:00:00+00:00

We were finishing up dinner (Chinese; by the time Mom was through with him, Dad was certain that it had been his preference all along and that she was doing him a favor) when the doorbell chimed.

“I’ll get it,” Alex said, hopping up.

I looked at my watch: almost seven-thirty. I was itching to get ready for my night out with Bradley. I’d left him a message saying I’d meet him at the coffee shop next to the theater at eight, which meant I’d need to pack up my clothes and go find a gas station where I could change. I didn’t want Alex to see me in my new clothes. I knew she’d circle me like a shark, then she’d make some crack, maybe something snide about me finally shopping in the twenty-first century. I’d feel silly under her scrutiny, and the magic of my new look would disappear.

Alex came back to the table just as I stood up, and I realized the worst thing imaginable hadn’t happened yet. It was happening now.

Bradley was two steps behind Alex.

“Oops,” Mom said, looking at me.

“Hey, everyone,” Bradley said.

I looked back at Mom.

“I forgot to tell you Bradley called while you and Alex were out getting dinner,” Mom said.

“No big deal,” Bradley told me. “I can hang out and wait if you’re not ready. I just happened to be doing a shoot nearby, so I came straight here after work.”

“No, this is great,” I said, forcing a smile as I looked down at my suit. This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to start. Bradley was supposed to open his door and see me in my new boots and jeans, with my hair loose and pretty. The smile was supposed to slide away from his face, like it had all those years ago.

“Want a beer?” Alex offered.

“No, I’m good,” Bradley said.

If I took down my hair or put on lipstick now, everyone would notice. Worse, it would look like I was making an effort for Bradley. Besides, I couldn’t take the time to change. I had to get out of here, fast, before Bradley and Alex started talking. They’d already gotten to know each other plenty well enough.

“Ready to go?” I asked, just as Alex said, “Hey, Bradley, how about some Chinese?”

Suddenly, she was filling a plate with egg rolls and garlic chicken and Mom was fetching him a glass of water and Bradley was sitting down at the table.

“You won’t believe how great Bradley’s photos are,” Alex said, sitting down next to him. Why not just climb in his lap? I thought bitterly. No, no, not bitterly. Bitterly conjures up images of a pursed-lip maiden aunt. Sassily, that was the word I was striving for.

“I’ll drop off some copies for you next week,” Bradley told my parents. “Alex finished picking out the ones she liked best last night.”

I felt like I was in a boat that had become unmoored and was drifting out to sea. I had to regain control. I quickly pulled over a chair and sat on the other side of Bradley.

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