Falling Read Free Page A

brave the lunch line and the mysterious food served there. I glance down at my chicken nuggets that seem a little too circular and at my limp French fries. I really need to start packing my lunch. As I head towards Leah and our normal lunch table, I stumble and barely keep my tray from flipping over. A ketchup packet skitters across the floor and comes to rest under a table full of jocks. I consider leaving it there, but I really like ketchup, and since our cafeteria ladies only allow one packet per student, I refuse to lose mine. I march over to the table hoping I can get the packet without embarrassing myself too badly. I quickly set my tray down next to Leah and then march over to the jocks’ table.  I explain what I am doing as I bend down to extract the packet from under a chair. A hand beats me to the packet. My eyes flick up to the owner of the hand, and my eyes collide with Connor’s. He winks and dangles the packet towards me. As I start to grab it, he quickly pulls it out of my reach laughing.
    "Klutzy, how did your ketchup get under my table? I mean, I really shouldn’t be surprised. You can barely walk, much less carry something and walk at the same time,” he laughs. I glance around the table and notice some of Connor’s friends are watching us with puzzling looks. One of them asks who I am, and Connor quickly explains that I am just a friend of his kid sister. While his attention is focused elsewhere, I grab the packet and head back to Leah. His definition of me shouldn’t hurt, but it does. I want him to look at me and see someone special. I want him to see Abby, a girl he has fun with, but instead all he sees is a friend of his little sister. Once seated next to Leah, I see Connor giving me a questioning look. I guess he is wondering why I walked away so hastily without a word to him. I focus my attention on Leah, who has been talking since I sat down. I need to forget Connor.
    “Don’t forget we have Mathletes practice Wednesday.” Mathletes is the name of our high school’s math quiz-bowl team, in which Leah and I are both members. I am the leader of this select set of nerds, which probably means that I am the biggest nerd of all.
    “I’m glad you reminded me. I need to talk to Mrs. McKinney about some of the practice problems. I bet you are excited about practice. Miles will be there,” I hoot. Leah has a crush on another member of Mathletes, Miles. He is super smart, cute, and sweet. Everything a girl could possibly want in a guy.
    “So, have you talked to him today?”
    “He walked me to chemistry this morning. He even carried my books, like the perfect gentleman. It was so romantic." Her story made me think of Connor and what a great guy he had been earlier today.
    “So, are you guys ever going out on a date?  You have been flirting for months. “
    “Be quiet Abby. Someone might hear you,” Leah whispers. I glance around the cafeteria to see if anyone is paying any attention to us. As if our conversation about her interest in Miles is a big secret. It is obvious to anyone who watches them that they like each other.
    “No one is listening or even looking at us,” I say as I spot some of the Mathletes heading towards us, Miles among them. As I wave at them, I see Connor and his best friend Blake heading in our direction. Then again, we sit near the door so they are most likely just on their way out of the lunchroom. As they walk past our table, Blake waves at me, he’s a member of Mathletes. Connor stops and looks in my direction, then back at Blake. He whispers something to Blake before they head out of the cafeteria. Another look from Connor. I look down at my shirt to make sure I didn’t spill something on it. No spills and my clothes are fine. What is up with these looks? Leah taps my arm to get my attention.  
    “Abby, can you give me a ride home today? Connor has practice like normal,“ Leah complains. She is always whining about her lack of transportation. I would gladly