alley. Our mouths opened wider and I felt his tongue roam over mine. But before I could respond, I started gagging and choking. Blake pulled away quickly. “My gum!” I nodded, hitting my chest to release both wads from the back of my throat. They popped forward and I gasped, sucking in a few breaths and coughing. “Are you okay?” Blake looked concerned as he patted my back awkwardly. I nodded and pulled out the gum, holding it up between us. We both stared at the connected wads for a moment, then looked at each other and busted out laughing. “Want your gum back?” I asked between gasps. Blake shook his head. “You keep it,” he said. “Consider it a gift.” “How thoughtful.” I rolled the gum wad into a dirty ball and wrapped it in one of the gum wrappers I’d stuffed into my pocket. “Are you two going to eat with us or get a room?” Bus Boy’s voice startled me. He and Jilly stood on the sidewalk; Jilly had her hands on her hips, eyebrows raised. Bus Boy glanced at the bush. “Oh, I see that instead of a room, you got a hedge.” My cheeks warmed and I pushed past them all to the sidewalk. “I’m hungry.” “Worked up a little appetite, Erin?” Jilly asked as she fell into step beside me. She grabbed my arm and leaned toward me so her lips were practically inside my ear. “Were you guys making out?” “Jilly!” The boys were only a few feet behind. Couldn’t we talk about this later? But she was looking at me with such eagerness, I had to give her something. “We kissed,” I whispered. She squealed and squeezed my arm. “I knew it!” “But not for long,” I said. “I practically choked on his gum.” Jilly looked at me. “What?” Then she laughed and shook her head. “I know,” I said. “Only I would choke on the guy’s gum the first time we make out.” “At least you’ll remember it,” Jilly said, tucking her arm through mine. Saturday , September 13 THINGS THAT ARE WEIRD Weird #1: My mom totally wanted me 2 dish about Blake… not since the BN have we talked abt boys. Weird #2: I don’t want 2 talk 2 her about boys or anything… not sure why. HOT——METER #1 Blake Thornton —totally gorgeous 9th grade mountain surfer #2 Dylan Beaumont —taken, but cute #3 Mark Sacks —the hair, the butt in shorts—need I say more? #4 Mr. Perkins (drops to #4 because of age gap) THINGS THAT ARE FREAKING ME OUT IN A GOOD WAY Blake & I kissed again after we 8 burgers & b4 we got picked up. Right in front of Jilly & Bus Boy. It was AMAZING. Blake e-mailed me @ least 10 times since yesterday. Jilly can’t stop talking about it & neither can I. Mark called & asked where I was yesterday. .....................................Quiz..................................... 1. If a guy who is 1 of yr best friends asks where u were, u tell him u: a. were kissing a hot boarder boy behind some bushes & in front of friends (don’t think so). b. had 2 wash the dog (even if u don’t have 1). c. had 2 practice your bowling stance (need 2 but didn’t). d. had 2 help your mom pick out software (lame, but he bought it). 2. If a guy who is 1 of yr best friends asks where u were Fri & u LIED 2 him, u r: a. a very mature 8th grader waiting until u know 4 sure the BF status b4 making anything public. b. a good friend protecting his feelings. (He likes Kara. What’s 2 protect?) c. a total loser who should be banned from the planet. d. a very confused person who has no idea what she’s doing. Sigh. All I know is that Blake is cute & fun & I want 2 kiss him again & I don’t want 2 have 2 explain it 2 Mark.
CHAPTER 12 FALLING IN LIKE SO THIS WAS WHAT IT was like to have someone like you back. I loved knowing Blake was thinking about me and I could also see why Jilly was obsessed with texting. I grabbed her phone whenever I saw her because Blake had started texting me on it. Just little stuff like wassup? and test in lit kicked my butt because of course