The Boy Project (O2L)

Chapter 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2

FIRST PERIOD

 STEP 2: Do Background Research ( Let the unobstructive observations begin!)

I arrived at school today armed with index cards, my pen, this journal, and the determination to get a social life. Or at least a boyfriend.

 So it was pretty hard to concentrate while Mrs. Willis was lecturing us about the Civil War. Again. Today the topic was General Lee at Gettysburg. I was looking around at the guys in my class and taking mental notes while she talked.

 Now that I'm observing them as a researcher, I'm noticing things that I've never noticed before. Troye Sivan was doodling on his Chucks the entire time Mrs. Willis was talking, for example. Does he do that everyday? I wouldn't know. I am usually paying way to much attention to what the teacher is saying.

 I also noticed Kian Lawley putting tiny pieces of paper into the curly hair of Dianna Leroy. See how mature he is? The back of her head was practically white, but she didn't seem to feel a thing. It was weirdly fascinating to watch. A lot of other people seemed to think so, too.

 When Mrs. W finished talking, she made us write three paragraphs from the point of view of a soldier following Lee as he retreated back to Virginia. I turned in my paper first.

 Normally, I'd pull out whatever book I'm trying to escape into at this point. This week it happens to be Bras and Broomsticks, which is a book about a little girl whose little sister is a witch. A real one. But the good kind. Anyway, the older sister wants to improve her social life, so she convinces her kid sis to use her magical powers to help. What  I wouldn't give for a sister with useful skills like that! But since I'm stuck with Julie, whose only skill seems to be making me look like the second-best sister, I am forced to take matters into my own hands. Which meant it was time to seriously study. Study boys.

 I looked around. Who should be my very first subject? Cool Jc Caylen? Nice Trevor Moran? Handsome Connor Franta?

 "Kara McAllister! Keep your eyes on your own paper!" snapped Mrs. W.

 What she thought I was cheating? I politely told her I'd already turned in my paper.

 "Then get out a book and read. Stop looking around at your friends." Everyone did the stare-at-whoever-is-being-yelled-at thing, so my face started heating up like it does when I eat Mouth of Hades chili and Texas Steakranch. In my head I could hear Lee yelling, " Retreat! Retreat!" But there wasn't anywhere for me to go.

 So much for unobstructive observation.

 Thankfully, Dianna stood up just then and a blizzard of paper snow fell from her head. That drew attention away from me in a big way. Poor Diana.

THIRD PERIOD

I was trying to be objective about which guy to study first, but I think, deep down, I already knew it'd be Trevor Moran. I've known him sense kindergarten and have had a crush on him for months.

 What's really great about Trevor is that, even though he's gotten a lot cuter over the past year, he's just as nice as ever. (Not like some people, who, once they start getting a little attention, act like they never played tag with you every single day.) Trevor looks right at me with his big blue eyes when we walk, and he has this gorgeous smile, that just makes me want to melt.

 Since Trevor is so nice, it makes me wonder: WHY DON'T I HAVE THE GUTS TO GO TALK TO HIM? I am NEVER going to find a boyfriend if I can't even make myself talk to a guy I've known for nine years!