Gilbert and Louis Rule the Universe: First Impressions Read Online Free Page A

Jason, Dylan, and Ralph out in front of the Baileys' old residence. We slow our pace. My heart starts pounding in my chest. I can tell from the flush on Gilbert’s cheeks that she feels the same way. The boys catch sight of us. We move towards them, although I don’t remember how. I don’t know why my stomach is turning somersaults like I had just downed a cup of whole milk. I mean, I hate the guy.
    “Hey,” Jason says. Jason is tall and has brown hair with blond tips, cute but not crushable. We love that even though he is older he is always cool to us.
    “Hey,” we answer in unison.
    “This is Ralph.” Jason introduces us. “Ralph, this is Leah and Alex.”
    “What’s up?” he says without smiling.
    “Not much,” I answer. Gilbert and Dylan quietly say hi to one another. They look awkward.
    “What are you guys up to?” I ask.
    Jason answers, “We are just checking out Ralph’s new place.”
    “Do you like it?” I ask Ralph. “I used to hang out with the kid who lived here.”
    “Yeah, it’s cool, I guess. My room’s okay.”
    “Which one is it? The one in the back with the big window?”
    “Yeah, that’s it. It’s pretty good. But I won’t be here long. I go back to boarding school on Monday.”
    “Where do you go?”
    “ Havenhurst .”
    “Isn’t that for bad kids?” As soon as I say it, I realized the mistake I made. I didn't mean to offend they guy, but I had heard about the brother of a girl in my class who got sent there after being expelled from Piermont High because he placed a firecracker in a school trash can. I knew it was a place for what our principal would call “troubled youth.” All the boys look at me.
    “I guess so,” Ralph cracks a smile.
    “We saw you at the dance the other night,” Gilbert tries to save me.
    “Yeah, it was pretty lame,” Ralph snorts.
    See, I knew this guy was a jerk.
    “Yeah, totally lame.” Gilbert and I pretend to agree with him even though it had been the most important social event all year.
    “How do you guys know each other?” I ask the guys.
    “Ralph and I went to camp together when we were kids.” Jason says.
    “So are you in eighth grade?” I ask Ralph.
    “Yeah, aren’t you guys?”
    “No we are in seventh.” Gilbert says and we both blush.
    “Oh.” Ralph says in kinda a snotty way. I am slightly mortified and whenever I get nervous I just keep talking, so I ask, “Where did you live before?”
    “Over in Oakwood. My parents just moved here so my sister could be in a better school system. This town totally sucks. What do you guys even do here?”
    Now, I can appreciate that Piermont is pretty lame. I mean, the most exciting thing that happens here is the high school football team makes the playoffs or some kids TP a house. But, well, only people who have lived here for at least a year are allowed to make fun of it. It is like making religious jokes, you can only make them about your own.
    “I don’t know. Stuff.”
    “Stuff? Awesome.” Ralph laughs.
    We stand around awkwardly, out of things to say.
    “Well, we better get home. See you guys Monday,” I say to Jason and Dylan. “Nice to meet you,” I say to Ralph. Gilbert and I turn and walk back to my house as Ralph answers, “Nice to meet you, too.”
     
     

 
    Chapter 5
    Sunday, November 8
    Today’s horoscope: Don’t lose focus. Grab onto opportunities that come your way!
     
    I send a text message to Gilbert: Be there in 5.
    My mom is dropping me off on Lakeshore Avenue to meet Gilbert and go shopping. I have been holding onto a gift certificate to Hollister that I got for my birthday and I want to check out their new jeans. Gilbert was already down there. Her older brother had taken her earlier because he was going to meet some friends for coffee. Her brother is so cool. He is in high school, listens to the best music and drives a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser. I have a total crush. Not that I mention any of this to Gilbert.
    When I get there Gilbert is