Parallel Parking (6 page)

“If I’m going to go through all the trouble and hellishness of a school dance, there’s got to be some payoff,” Sebastiano
said. “I won’t go with just anybody. I’d rather stay home and watch
Lizzie McGuire
reruns. And you know how I feel about that show.”

Holly felt sorry for him. She could see he was experiencing real pain over this.

“I know,” she said soothingly. “You’ll find a great date. But why not make things easier on yourself? At least ask someone
who’s available.”

“But all the good girls are taken. They always are.”

“It seems that way,” Holly said. “But even good girls break up with their boyfriends once in a while. And you’ll be there
to swoop in, catch them on the rebound, and take advantage of their vulnerability. Okay?”

Sebastiano nodded.

“Feel better now?”

“Yeah. Thanks, H.”

Holly was surprised Sebastiano cared so much about a school dance. It wasn’t like him. He usually held himself above things
like that. But maybe he was changing.

QUIZ: IS HE OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE?

You’ve got a crush on a super-cute guy. But are your hopes realistic?

Do you have a chance with him, or is it the Impossible Dream?

1. He is the star of the boys’ soccer team. You are:
   

   a
   the star of the girls’ soccer team
   .
   

   b
   the star of an upcoming feature film
   .
   

   c
   the star of a puppet show you put on in your basement
   .
   

2. You are a straight-A student. He is:
   

   a
   an A student
   .
   

   b
   a dropout
   .
   

   c
   a nuclear physicist
   .
   

3. A modeling agent stops him on the street and asks him to model. She turns to you and says:
   

   a
   And what about you? You could be an actress
   .
   

   b
   Nice to see you again, Gisele.
   

   c
   We also handle animal acts
   .
   

4. You’re head of the cheerleading squad. He’s:
   

   a
   captain of the football team
   .
   

   b
   lead singer of a hot new band
   .
   

   c
   Chief Gorilla of the King Kong fan club
   .
   

5. His last girlfriend was the Homecoming Queen. Your last boyfriend was:
   

   a
   school president
   .
   

   b
   Orlando Bloom
   .
   

   c
   your teddy bear
   .