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

waiting on the corner for me. Apparently there is no way her brother is going to let her join him and his friends while they sit around and talk about girls, cars, and the newest Jack White album.
    “What took you so long?” Gilbert wants to know as soon as I get out of the car.
    “Sorry, my mom got back late from her Pilates session, and I couldn’t get her out the door.”
     
    *   *   *
     
    “I think these make my butt look big.” Gilbert and I are in the dressing room at Hollister and these are the third pair I have tried on. Gilbert gives my ass a once over.
    “No, I think they are totally cute.” I check my butt again. Hmmm. Gilbert tries on a red v-neck sweater. It looks totally classic on her.
    “Oh, Gilbert. You have to have that. You look like Anne Hathaway.”
    Gilbert admires herself in the mirror.
    “Are you sure?” Gilbert always doubts her own beauty, a trait which is both admirable and totally annoying all at the same time. I have on another pair of jeans and these, well, they make me look hot.
    “What do you think?”
    Gilbert looks. “Wow, you look hot.”
    We walk out of the store with bags in tow, and head over to The Bean to get a vanilla blended. I half hope that Gilb’s brother will ask us to join him, but he conveniently ignores us, so we go across the street to the public space where all the boys skateboard. There are about five guys working on their kick-flips and grinding along the benches. This kid, Wins ton, who we met at Sophie ’s bat mitzvah, is there with some other guys. The last time I saw him, he was in a suit that was too short on his tall and lanky figure and he was dancing at the after party like a total spaz . He has filled out a little since then and he’s suddenly hot in his jeans and surf t-shirt pulling a fai rly decent Ollie . Gilbert and I sit with our drinks and try to look cool.
    Winston walks over.
    “Hey, you’re Leah, right?”
    I look up, do my best eyelash bat and pretend to be a little confused.
    “Hey.”
    “I’m Winston, we met at Sophie’s bat mitzvah.”
    “Oh yeah. Hey, this is Alex.”
    Gilbert and Winston nod to one another, but he never takes his eyes off me.
    “What are you girls doing down here?” he asks us.
    “Oh, just some shopping.” I was deciding that I could overlook the spazzy dancing.
    “Cool,” he says as he sits down next to us.
    “You’re a good skater,” Gilbert comments.
    “Thanks, I’m kinda beat. I’ve been out here like an hour already.”
    “Want to walk around with us?” I suggest.
    “Sure,” he says. “Let me just go tell the guys.”
    When he gets up to tell them I give Gilbert my best “Oh my gosh, this is actually happening” look. Her look says, “I am so stoked for you!” We are, like, totally telepathic.
    We walk up and down the street looking in windows and making jokes. When I go to throw my vanilla blended cup away Winston stops me.
    “Don’t you know that is recyclable?” he says and throws it in the recycle bin. A friend to the environment? I have totally decided if he asks me out I will say yes.
    “Those puppies are so cute.” We coo into the window of the pet store. Winston and I agree on everything. Like that the cutest dogs are Wheaton terriers, Porsches are the coolest cars, and that Verizon totally has the best service in our area.
    “Hey guys, what’s up?” We look up and Jason and Ralph skateboard up behind us.
    “Oh, hey.” I am surprised to see Ralph again, considering he is taking off the next day. My hands start to sweat.
    “Do you guys know Winston? He goes to Dixon.” I introduce them. He and Jason shake hands. But Winston and Ralph give each other a cold stare.
    “What’s up, Ralph?” Winston says. His voice is icy.
    “ Nothin ’,” Ralph answers. “We gotta go.” Ralph says, jumps on his skateboard and rides away. Jason gives us a shrug and a wave and follows after him.
    That was weird.
    “Hey, you guys wanna grab something to eat?” Winston asks.