How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles

brother Ben, aka the demon from hell (even though I'm Jewish and don't believe there's a hell), has rubbed off on her. One of his regular stunts is tossing chunks of challah bread across the Shabbat table with the purpose of getting one stuck in my cleavage. When he's successful, he grins and offers to take it out.
    "Lights out in four minutes!" Ronit calls.
    I wave to Miranda, who's on the bottom bunk two away from mine, across the aisle. I pull up my painfully thin blanket and try to get comfortable. It's not easy to relax with stretched-out springs squeaking overhead every time my bunkmate moves. I should watch all the food that goes into Vic's mouth during the next ten days. I can't risk her gaining weight while we're here, that's for sure... my life may depend on it.
    Seriously, if the springs do give out in the middle of the night and she falls on me, will I suffocate and die? And if I do, will anyone care? Maybe I should sleep on my side, so if the springs collapse and the mattress and Vic fall on me, I might still have a little air pocket and live.
    I'm definitely feeling sorry for myself tonight, but then I think of the Israeli soldiers who have to sleep on a bottom bunk staring up at missing and broken springs every night for years. I'm only here for a little over a week.
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    When Ronit flips off the lights, I turn on my side (partially because I like sleeping on my side) and think about Avi lying in his bunk.
    Is he in pain from the pushups?
    Is he lying on the top bunk, or bottom?
    Is he thinking about me as much as I'm thinking about him?
    "When Avi stayed at my house back in January, he never wore a shirt to bed. I loved staring at his abs and biceps. I would kiss him good night and he'd flash me one of his rare smiles as he pulled me close (of course this was when my dad wasn't hawking us and ordering me back to my room).
    I don't have my cell phone with me to listen to his old voicemail messages. He left them when we broke up during his visit and he was as desperate as I was to get back together. I know those messages by heart, and repeat them in my head...
    Did I tell you your eyes remind me of blown glass? I can see your soul through those eyes, Amy. They get darker when you're trying to be sexy and they shine when you smile. And when you think you're in trouble you blink double the amount that you usually do. And when you're sad, the corners of your eyes turn down. I miss your eyes.
    I want to say something to you. Not because I want you to say it back, either, (insert deep breath
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    here) /... I love you. It's not that kind of conditional love... it's the kind that'll be around forever. Even if you don't call. Even if you like Nathan or any other guy. We can befriends. We can be more. Just... call me back.
    Did I mention when I first met you I was so attracted to you it scared me? Me, scared. I still am when I'm around you, because now I want you in my life forever. How long is forever, Amy?"
    I wish his arms were around me right now, assuring me that this is just another bump in the road of our rocky but passionate relationship.
    I fall asleep, thinking of the day when Avi will hold me all night long without parental (or military) interference.
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    Chapter 10
    Lack of sleep has many, many negative consequences.
    I'm dreaming that someone is turning on the lights and yelling in my ear.
    "You have seven minutes to be dressed and outside! Bring your canteens!"
    No, this isn't a dream. It's a nightmare. And I'm living it.
    "I'm tired, Ronit. I just got to sleep," I hear Tori moan.
    Her complaint is met by a "Yala, zooz!"
    I hear some of the other girls talking, but instead of waking me up, the sound lulls me back to sleep.
    "Amy, wake up!" Miranda says, shaking me like I'm the lulav branch during Sukkot.
    "I'm up," I murmur.
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    "No, you're not. Come on! The guys from our unit are already outside."
    I pull my pink silky pillow over my head. "I'm taking a mental health day."
    "There are no mental health