Read Online Not Quite Perfect Boyfriend by Lili Wilkinson - Free Book Online

really annoying. ‘ Silence of the Lambs ,’ I say. ‘You know, that famous old movie about the serial killer who removed people’s skin? It had Jodie Foster in it?’
    â€˜I’m really not seeing the connection, Midge,’ says Tahni. She turns back to Ben. ‘So do you have that new FX Photoshop plug-in?’
    â€˜Remember you said that stuff about the New Guy being weird and a possible killer at his old school,’ I interrupt.
    Tahni manages to convey concern and scorn at the same time. ‘That’s hardly something you should be making jokes about, Midge.’
    I sigh. ‘Never mind.’
    George would have understood the reference. Although he probably wouldn’t have thought it was funny, what with it being about him and all.
    But then Ben leans over and whispers into my ear, in a low, private voice that is only meant for me.
    â€˜Do you have a dollar?’ he murmurs.
    â€˜A what?’ I say, delirious.
    â€˜A dollar. I want a Mars Bar, but I don’t have enough money.’
    â€˜Of course,’ I fumble in my pocket. The poor boy. A Mars Bar probably costs twenty-five pence or whatever in England. He has to get used to a new currency as well as a new school and new friends. I am so happy I can help him, it doesn’t matter that now I won’t have enough money for a pie at lunchtime. I hand over the coin.
    â€˜Thanks,’ he says. ‘See you later.’
    He kisses me swiftly, then saunters away.
    I watch him go. Who cares about the pie? I will never have to eat again. I am sustained by my love for him. That kiss will keep me going until at least dinnertime.
    â€˜He looks so hot in school uniform,’ I say to Tahni. ‘What is it, about some boys? Most of them look terrible in it, but Ben looks like it’s been personally tailored for him.’
    â€˜Do you think we could possibly have a conversation about something other than Ben?’ says Tahni.
    Wow. She just killed those watts like flicking off a light-switch. She’s back to grumpy and snide. And how can she say that about Ben after she just turned the full charm offensive on him? She really is testy. It’s definitely jealousy. As if I haven’t been in exactly the same position, listening to her go on for ever about some Boy she met at Luna Park or Nando’s. Man.
    â€˜Fine,’ I say. ‘What do you want to talk about then?’
    â€˜Actually,’ says Tahni, ‘I have to go to the library.’
    She gets up and walks away. I watch her, stunned. Tahni, go to the library? I bet she doesn’t even know where it is.
    When I arrive at my History class, I’m feeling guilty about Tahni. I should be more understanding. She’s single. Probably lonely. I should be grateful for this opportunity to perfect being empathetic, rather than just plain old pathetic. But by the time I walk out again to go to French, I’m just plain old angry.
    She’s supposed to be my friend! She should be happy for me. So what if I want to talk about my new boyfriend for five minutes?
    I decide to avoid her at lunchtime and seek out Ben instead. I need some kisses to sustain me.
    As I make my way down the corridor to his locker, I’m stopped by Nina Kennan. At first I don’t think she’s actually talking to me, so I look behind to check who else is around. But it is me. Nina Kennan has never spoken to me in my life. Nina Kennan and I have been going to the same school since we were five, and she has never once spoken to me. People like Nina Kennan don’t speak to people like me.
    Nina is the kind of girl who never would have done anything so unglamorous as be born. She was never a squalling purple creature covered in gunk. She just appeared one day, floating down from the clouds in a pale pink cashmere blanket carried by white doves.
    Nina has perfect blonde hair. Perfect blue eyes. A smattering of freckles across her perfect nose. She smells