Gilbert and Louis Rule the Universe: First Impressions by Rebecca Heller Page B

because I still check my phone every day. Somehow that piece of information doesn’t seem worth sharing with everyone else.
    My social life is non-existent. My parents have decided to move the computer into the living room so that that can make sure I don't use IM or Facebook . The only person I am allowed to hang out with is my mom. She makes me go everywhere with her. Apparently, now that I am a “ groundie ” they think leaving me home alone is some kind of risk. Like I will be on the phone and IMing while smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages. I have to go to the grocery store, post office, hardware store… I have to take part in whatever errands my mom has. It is so boring. The night of the Christmas Tree Lighting I was so miserable that my mom finally gave in and let me watch TV. She said I was getting on her nerves.
    Back at school it is a short week before Thanksgiving. Gilbert has already left for the East to celebrate the holiday with her grandparents. To tell you the truth, it is kind of a relief. When I get to school on Monday morning I corner the girls.
    “How was it?” I demand.
    “What?” Riley asks. “Oh, the Christmas tree lighting?”
    “Um, yeah!” I say. No duh.
    “It was fine. It was kinda cold out,” Maddy says.
    Right, like I give a rat’s ass about the weather. I am trying to remain cool.
    “Did you see him?” I question.
    “Winston?” Rowan asks.
    Of course, ladies. Get to the good stuff.
    “I didn’t see him,” Rowan continues. “Did you?” she asks the others.
    “No, I am not sure if he was there,” Riley says.
    ”Maybe he was bummed you couldn’t go that he didn’t go,” suggests Rowen .
    From the attitude of his text I doubt it, but whateves , I don’t say that.
    “Maybe,” I say. “Well, I better get to class.” As I walk away I can hear the girls talking excitedly about their weekend. I know they are trying to downplay the Christmas tree lighting so as not to hurt my feelings, but I still feel like crap.
    I tried to get more information about the weekend’s festivities out of the other kids. I was busy eavesdropping on any conversation so I could to try and get the details. I even went so far as to stalk Sophie.
    “Sophie!” I called after her in the hallway as she walked from one class to the next.
    “Oh, hey Leah, what’s up?” Sophie gave me a look like why was I bothering her.
    “Um, hi, yeah, so did you go to the Christmas tree lighting this weekend?” I asked.
    “Yeah,” she sounded both bored and annoyed by the question.
    “Was it fun?” I was really trying.
    “It was okay. Weren’t you there?” she asked.
    “No, I, um. I, um, had to see my grandma,” I lied.
    “Bummer. Yeah, it was cool. Same as last year.”
    “Anyone cool there?” Please Sophie, please, please give me some information.
    “I don’t know, the usual.”
    Should I ask? Should I bring up his name or is that too desperate?
    I didn’t even get the chance.
    “Well, see you.” We had already made it to her next class and she walked in the door. The late bell rang. I was tardy.
     
    *   *   *
     
    The next three days are totally uneventful. Thursday is Thanksgiving and this year I have to go with my dad and Bonnie to Bonnie’s parent’s house. They are, like, some kind of health nuts. They have free-range turkey, whatever that is, and grain stuffing. They even made homemade cranberry sauce, which they are all raving about. I can’t see the big deal, it is totally gross. I like the stuff straight from the can with no lumps in it and the funny can markings on the side. On the way over, I try to tuck a can of Oceanspray into my bag but my dad catches me and says that would be rude. To top it off, I don’t get to eat my aunt’s sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. In fact, there isn’t a marshmallow in sight at Bonnie’s parent’s house. During dinner I borrow my dad’s phone and text my mom that the food totally sucks and to bring home left-