The Female of the Species Read Online Free

behind a burger grill, wondering what the fuck happened. And then my kid’ll do the same thing and when I retire I can cede my spot in the drive-through to my grandkid. I can keep my body in shape anywhere, but my brain is going to rot in this shitty little town because I’m too poor to get out of here without a free ride.
    I’m so focused on me, I’m not sure I’ve heard her right when Alex says, “You should just give it to him.”
    Alex, who could write a book about things that aren’t fair. That guy in the woods had it right three years ago—I’m a douchebag.
    Miss Reynolds’s eyebrows come together. “Class rank is not given, Alex. It’s earned.”
    â€œIt’s nonsensical for me to have it. I’m not going to college.”
    Now the guidance counselor’s mouth tightens as she says, “We’ve talked about this and—”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t you go to college?” I interrupt Miss Reynolds, turning to look—really look—at Alex. I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to her, and when she turns her head, I see how green her eyes are.
    She shrugs. “I can’t conceive of myself outside this place.”
    â€œOookaaaayyyy,” I say, glancing at the guidance counselor. She smiles at me encouragingly, but her eyebrows are still stuck together in concern .
    â€œIt’s very simple,” Alex says patiently, dividing her words between the two of us. “We’ve both earned it. He wants it. Give it to him.”
    The way she says this makes it seem so easy that I know I’m wearing a yeah, see? look on my face. But the guidance counselor sighs and shakes her head.
    â€œI can’t just arbitrarily decide who is the valedictorian.”
    â€œYou’re misinterpreting where ‘arbitrary’ fits in this conversation,” Alex says.
    Miss Reynolds closes her eyes and pinches the bridgeof her nose. I get the feeling she’s had many, many conversations with Alex that end this way. When she looks up, she’s got her professional face back on.
    â€œA lot of things can change before the end of the year,” she says. “And, Jack, you need to remember that being salutatorian is nothing to sneeze at.”
    Which to me sounds like: Alex is very unlikely to make any mistakes, so you need to start adjusting to the new reality .
    Alex and I walk out of the office together and I find myself in an awkward situation that only people from small towns can appreciate. I know Alex Craft. I know her in the sense that I could pick her out of my class photos from kindergarten on. I know her because people don’t leave this place and our parents know each other—hell, I’m pretty sure my mom dated her dad. I know her because everyone knows everybody here, and Alex especially because her sister is the only reason a news crew has been in this town, ever.
    I know Alex Craft. And I have nothing to say to her.
    But I want to find some words that will make her look at me again, because I liked the way her green eyes stood out among all those freckles. And the part of me that goes to AP English digs that she’s smart, while the part of me that slaughters freshmen with dodgeballs is kinda turned on by the idea that I’m competing against her for something.
    And she’s walking away from me.
    I know how to do this. I know the things to say to people that will keep them at arm’s length while reinforcing how cool I am. I know how to speed up or slow down to give them the idea that you’re really not into talking to them and the distance between the two of you grows even though you’re the only ones in the hallway. I know how to make a joke about taking a shit and duck into the bathroom for a few minutes until they’re gone.
    Instead I take a few extra inches in my stride until I’m keeping pace with Alex. I see her eyes flick in my direction for a nanosecond when she