Kindred Spirits

by Rainbow Rowell

even though Star Wars was Elena’s whole life at ten, she didn’t get to go to the party. She was eighteen now. She could do whatever she wanted. So where was the party?

Elena felt tears rolling down her cheeks. “Don’t cry,” Gabe said. “That won’t help.”

even if I go see a comic-book movie, the whole world is there—so I’m still the nerd. I would have thought that a Star Wars line would be safe,” he said, waving his arm around the way Elena had. “No way am I going to feel like a social outcast in a Star Wars line. No way am I going to have to sit next to one of the cool girls for four days.” “Whoa,” Elena said. “I’m not a cool girl.” “Give me a break.”

Gabe rolled his eyes again. “I thought you said you couldn’t talk to people,” he said. “You don’t seem to have any problems talking to me.” “I’m having a lot of problems talking to you.” “OK, then, let’s stop.”

“So, who’s your favorite character?” he asked again. “You’ll probably think it’s basic.” “I’m not a jerk,” he said. “People who are jerks don’t get to decide whether they’re jerks. It’s left up to a jury of their peers.”

“I’m part of this, part of the line.” “What does that count for?” “I don’t know,” she said, “but it should count for something. Look, I’m sorry Jocelyn calls you names. She’s a loudmouth. She’s been a loudmouth since fourth grade. We’re all just used to her. And if you’ve noticed me at all at school, you’ve noticed that I don’t exactly reach out. I don’t talk to anybody in some of my classes. There’s nobody in my math class who could pick me out of a line-up.” “I don’t believe that,” he said. “I’m sorry,” she said, “that I’ve never talked to you before. But you’ve never talked to me either. We’re talking now.”