Page 22 of Let's Pretend I'm Okay

She sighs.

“What’s that for?” I ask.

She leans into the pillow. “Do you think I’m pretty?”

I laugh. “Is this a trick question? We have the same face.”

“I’m serious. Do you think guys think I’m pretty?”

I give her a look to make sure she knows just how ridiculous her question is. “Of course they do. You’re gorgeous.”

“Then why don’t the guys at school seem to notice me?”

“Maybe, and I could be wrong, but maybe it’s because you spend all your time reading books instead of interacting with other humans.”

She shoves the pillow at me. “Hey!”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “I said I could be wrong.”

She falls back into the couch with another sigh. “You know you aren’t.”

“Then why don’t you try talking to people.”

She takes her pillow back. “Reading people’s conversations is easier than having my own.”

“Why does it matter?”

Her cheeks redden, and she hides her face. “I can’t tell you.”

“Oh, come on. Since when do we keep secrets from each other?” My hypocritical words are heavy on my tongue as if it’s dirty for them to leave my mouth.

“Because you’ll think it’s silly.” Her voice is muffled behind the pillow.

I tug it away. “I will not.”

“Yes, you will.”

“I promise I won’t.”

She twists her lips, staring me down. “I don’t believe you.”

I squint. “Is it really that embarrassing?”

She groans, tossing her head back. “You’re not going to let this go now, are you?”

I cross my arms. “Nope. So you might as well tell me.”

She takes a breath, letting her shoulders fall. Then, she mumbles something I can’t understand.

“Come again?”

“I want to . . .”

I gently shake her shoulders. “Louder.”

“I want to fall in love!”

We lock eyes and both burst into laughter.

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