Page 119 of Nothing Like the Movies

“None of your damn business,” I snapped, wanting them to go away now. “Shhhh.”

Liz: Feelings? That is RIDICULOUS. Is that what the poster was about too? “Feelings”?

Was she trying to find out what the posters said? It was probably my wishful thinking, but I texted like that was what she wanted.

Yes. There were multiple posters, actually. The first one said TO ME, YOU AREN’T PERFECT

Liz: Um… okay. Humbling.

I took it as a good sign that she was making a joke. I texted:The second one said TO ME, YOU ARE EVERYTHING

I didn’t expect a quick response, because I imagined her squealing or kicking her feet or texting a friend. But she immediately texted:THAT IS ASININE, WES. No offense, but you don’t even know me. How could I be everything?

“Why are you scowling?” Sarah asked. “What did she say?”

“Tell us,” Adam said. “We’re dying over here.”

I reached over and disconnected the FaceTime call, and then I dialed Liz’s number. I didn’t expect her to answer, so I was surprised when I heard, “Hello?”

I stood and started walking around the room, pacing as I said, “I know you. Come on, Liz.”

“No, you don’t,” she replied, very matter-of-factly. “We haven’t had a real conversation in years. How could you think that we know each other at all?”

“Because we just do,” I said, aware that it made zero sense, but also, it did make sense for us.

“Oh, really? Okay, then. What is my new favorite show to watch on the weekends?”

“What?” I cleared my throat and thought hard. “Um, that’s a trick question because you still like to watchGilmore Girlsand Nora Ephron movies.”

“Wrong, it’s football,” she said, sounding happy I’d gotten it wrong.

“Wait, what?”

“I love to watch football—college and the NFL. See? You knownothingabout me now.”

“Well, Iwantto know you,” I said, sitting down on my bed and turning my body so I could lean back against the wall. I knew she was proving a point to me that I didn’t want proven, but even in spite of that, it was nice to be talking to her on the phone again. “You should go out with me, and we can get to know each other all over again.”

She immediately said, “No, thank you.”

“What about as friends?” I said just as quickly, needing to keep her on the phone. “Can’t we do that? It doesn’t have to bea date-date; we can just eat food and catch up. I’d at least like to be your friend again. What are you doing Friday night?”

“I have plans,” she said, striking me down. “Nick Stark’s—”

“Ski Mask-erade?” Everyone was talking about the Halloween party where you wore a costume and a ski mask (the only rule was no exposed faces).

“I’m going too,” I said, way too excitedly. It was impossible for me to be cool when Liz Buxbaum was involved, but especially when we were going to be in the same place. “We can hang out at the party.”

“But you won’t be able to find me,” she said, a smile in her voice. “Because I’ll be in a costume, with a ski mask over my head.”

“Trust me, Lib,” I said, picturing her lips. “In a crowd of a million ski masks, I’d still be able to find you.”

“There is no way you’ll know who I am. No way.”

I wanted to wrap myself up in the warm breathlessness of her voice.

“Want to make a bet?” I asked, knowing I was going to win. “If I find you, you go on a date with me Saturday.”

“What happened to just going for friendship?” she asked, sounding a little amused (though that couldalsojust be my wishful thinking).

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