Monkey Business by Sarah Mlynowski Read Free Book Online Page A

eighteen again.” She motions to a sprawling stone building. “We’re here.”
    We climb the stairs to the top floor and show our studentcards to the scrawny kid at the front desk. The gym caters to the entire school, not just the business school, so it’s packed. Puffing women on treadmills are lined against the window.
    â€œDo you lift weights?” Kimmy asks.
    â€œYeah.” Truth is, I’ve been slacking on my workouts. I feel a wave of panic that my muscles have all disappeared.
    She stretches her leg in front of her. “Do you want to run with me?”
    Even though I’m feeling anxious about the state of my muscles and want to get to the weights, the idea of watching her jiggle beside me is too appealing to pass up. I stretch out my hamstring beside her. “Sounds good.”
    We find two unoccupied treadmills in the corner, facing the window. She sets her speed to seven. I set mine at nine.
    Shit. That’s fast.
    We run in silence. The sun beats through the glass, and I’m starting to sweat faster than usual. Oh, man. I must be out of shape. The wall of window makes me feel as if I’m running off a cliff. I wonder if the miniature students below us can see us. Maybe the windows are tinted. I’ll have to check next time I walk by.
    It’s interesting watching below. Groups stopping, laughing. Someone doing a handstand against the side of a building. What is that guy doing? “Is that Jamie?”
    Kimmy peers out the window, then grabs the handlebars and ducks. “Yikes, hide me.”
    â€œHide you? Why?”
    â€œI can’t escape him. What’s he doing?” A group of three girls are standing around him, laughing. He flips over and sits on the pavement. Two of the girls sit next to him. I think one of them is Rena.
    â€œGymnastics of some sort. Maybe he’s working out.”
    Kimmy smirks. I’m pretty sure we’re both thinking thathe doesn’t look like a guy who works out. “So does that mean you’re not interested in him?” I ask.
    Her mouth flies open. Closes. Then it opens again. “Jamie? Nooo.”
    â€œWhat about what happened last week?”
    She’s flushed from my question. Or from the workout.
    She bites her lip. “You know about that?”
    â€œAh…no?”
    â€œVery funny. Did he tell everyone?”
    â€œDidn’t you see the ad in the LWBS paper?”
    â€œHilarious.”
    I’m worried that I’ve upset her, but then she laughs and adds, “What a blabbermouth.”
    Now I feel bad for Jamie. “Don’t be mad, we forced it out of him. Tortured him, if you want to know. Tied him up then performed Japanese water torture.”
    She raises an eyebrow. “I’ll bet.”
    â€œSo, you interested in him or not?”
    She shakes her head no, and her ponytail swings again. Game, set, match. “That night was a mistake. He’s not what I’m looking for.”
    â€œWhat are you looking for?” I ask, now watching her pump her arms. She gets very into her workout.
    She turns toward me. “Exactly what I’m looking at, actually. You.”
    I miss a step and almost trip into the handlebars. As I steady myself, I think, me, eh? This hot chick, breasts heaving, is interested in me?
    Now might be a good time to mention Sharon.
    Okay, now.
    Now.
    Kimmy reaches over for her water bottle, pulls up the tab with her teeth and sucks the water into her mouth.
    Now.
    â€œDo you want some?” she asks.
    I nod. I know, I know. Shouldn’t share water bottles. She hands me the bottle and our damp fingers touch. I swallow a mouthful, not unmindful of the bulge in my gym shorts. I’m hoping for those tinted windows. I wouldn’t want this entire scene being described to Sharon via her sister via Rena.
    Bad business this sharing of water bottles.

first semester

Monday, September 8, 9:13 a.m.
jamie comes late (literally)
    L ove