She sits in the driveway, freezing, for thirty-six minutes. Arguing with herself. Because she thinks she's in love with him too. And there are two ways she can be a fool in love right now. She chooses the harder one. And knocks on the door.

Lisa McMann

Categorized in : Thinking Two Doors

Maybe you don't have to remember something for it to be true. For it to exist.

Lisa McMann

remember-something being-true remember

Go force your condescending man-logic on the next house. You can go now.

Lisa McMann

next house men

Feels like I'm in a play and I don't know all my lines.

Lisa McMann

lines play feels

They linger near the back door, forehead to forehead and curved like statues as their lips whisper and brush together.

Lisa McMann

lips together doors

No rash decisions. No big commitments. Each day as it comes.

Lisa McMann

each-day decision commitment

With practice, you will master your own dreams.

Lisa McMann

masters practice dream

Dreams happen in the strangest places. Watch for them.

Lisa McMann

dream happens watches

Just stand. Bend. Balance.

Lisa McMann

balance

You - best secret boyfriend ever.

Lisa McMann

secret

...she's leaving now. ... Janis attacks the back door of the school gym and finds herself in a heavy cloud of smoke. She realizes she's found the Goths' hangout. Who knew? "Oof," someone says. She keeps walking, muttering, "sorry" to whomever it was she hit with the flying door. *** Cabel: ... That was the Goth stage where I decided I'd never get the girl of my dreams because of my scars. Not to mention the hairstyle. (pause) But then she slammed a door handle into my gut. And, when a girl does that to a boy, it means she likes him.

Lisa McMann

girl sorry dream

Captain looks at Janie closely. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," she says. "You're gonna have a heck of a shiner by the time the day's over. Did you black our?" "I...uh..." Janie shrugs. "I really have no idea." "Yes, I think she did." Cabel cuts in. "I'm going to need to watch her all day. And probably all night, too," he adds. Very, very seriously. The captain throws a rubber eraser at him and sends him out for coffee.

Lisa McMann

cutting coffee jesus

Janie: Did you ever sell drugs? Cabel: Yes. Pot. Ninth and tenth grade. I was, uh...rather troubled back then. Janie: Why did you stop? Cabel: Got busted, and Captain made me a better deal. Janie: So you've been a narc since then? Cabel: I cringe at your terminology.

Lisa McMann

captains drug pot

If you don't want me to see, I guess, don't sleep in the same room as me." He looks at her with a sly smile. "But I'm known for sleeping in school. It's my shtick.

Lisa McMann

sleep looks school

Cabel smiles and hangs up. "Guess what." What," Janie says. We can go out on our first date." Woo hoo!" And guess what else- You're buying." Me? Why?" Because you lost the bet." Janie thinks for a moment. Punches Cabel in the arm. "You did not fail five quizzes or tests!" I did. I have proof.

Lisa McMann

arms tests thinking

Are you okay?" she whispers, giggling. Me? Oh sure. You might have to carry me out of here, though." What happened?" I created a distraction." I gathered that." Step stool, encyclopedias, floor." I see. Well, I can't thank you enough." Sure you can. Help me flunk enough tests, so I drop out of the 'torian range." Can't you just tell Abernethy that you have a reputation as a dumbshit to keep up, and you don't want the attention?" Flunking is more fun.

Lisa McMann

steps fun attention

She gets to school late. Bashful gives her a tardy, and won't reconsider. Janie always hated Bashful. Stupidest. Dwarf. Ever.

Lisa McMann

dwarves giving school

So, what are you doing tonight?" Me?" Janie laughs. "Homework, of course." You want company?" Carrie's looking wistful. Do you have homework to do?" Of course. WEther I do it or not is the real question.

Lisa McMann

tonight real laughing

Bashful=Spanish, Miss Gardenia Doc=Psychology, Mr. Wang Happy=Chemistry 2, Mr. Durbin Dopey=English Lit., Mr. Purcell Dippy=Math, Mrs. Craig Dumbass=PE, Coach Crater

Lisa McMann

psychology missing math

Janie. Does not like. To be called. Buffy.

Lisa McMann

janie doe

Dreams aren't memories," he says.

Lisa McMann

dream memories