Free This Is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer Page B

the gerbils?”
    â€œWe want to show that, all things being equal, given two similarly attractive guys, Lauren will ultimately prefer the one with whom she’s endured more . . . thrilling . . . experiences,” Addie answered. “And, similarly, the same will be true for the boys. That is, if the other guy you’ve found meets that criteria.”
    â€œHe absolutely does. He’s extremely handsome and intelligent, and that’s not merely my opinion.” Dr. Brooks flicked on the lights. “Headmaster Foy interviewed himthis morning and called me with the green light.”
    â€œExcellent!” Addie smiled at Dexter, expecting him to be relieved.
    He wasn’t. “He’s already been approved? But we haven’t even met him.”
    â€œThat’s about to be rectified.” Dr. Brooks peeked out her door and crooked her finger. “Why don’t you stop sweeping for a second, Kris, and step into my office.”
    Addie felt her legs go numb as Kris entered carrying a broom and decked head to toe in the ugly green uniform of the Academy’s Buildings and Grounds employees.
    No. Way.
    Dr. Brooks said, “Dexter. Adelaide. I’d like you to meet participant number three.”
    â€œKris Condos?” Dex slapped his forehead. “You have got to be kidding. Is this a joke?”
    Wait, Addie thought, confused. Dex knew him? That was odd. Dex didn’t know anyone besides her, the faculty, and the nurses down at the infirmary.
    Dr. Brooks knit her brows. “I’m surprised you two are acquainted. I thought for sure . . .”
    â€œNot personally,” Dex interjected, “but . . .” He took Dr. Brooks aside and whispered in her ear.
    â€œYes, yes, that’s true,” she said, breaking apart. “As long as you don’t have a close relationship with him, it shouldn’t affect the outcome of the experiment.”
    Dex scowled. “Close relationship? With him? Definitely not.”
    Addie remained baffled. What was going on? What did Dex know that she didn’t? Why was he giving Kris such a dirty look?
    Unless . . . ? Oh god. No. The sins . The mistakes . The screwed-up neural pathways !
    She looked to Dex, who confirmed her fears by whispering under his breath three simple words: “Kara. Wilkes’s. Boyfriend.”
    The news hit her hard, like a sucker punch to the solar plexus. It knocked the wind out of her and left her dizzy. Kris was Kara’s boyfriend. He’d been part of the trio that had ransacked her sanctuary, smashing tanks and terrariums, sending the gerbils scurrying in fear and the frogs into dark corners, only to be found days later shriveled and dead.
    She’d been so stupid, so incredibly blind. How had it not dawned on her before that of course this was why Kris had been expelled? Ed knew. That’s why he was so standoffish in the car. That must have been why Tess stopped Kris at the top of the escalator, to tear him a new one. She was good at tearing new ones.
    â€œAnd you, Addie?” Dr. Brooks was saying, her voice sounding far off. “Do you have a personal relationship with Kris?”
    She pivoted, prepared to let him have it. Her fists clenched and the muscles in her jaw ached, she was so angry. “Do I have a personal relationship with Kris? Is that what you’re asking?”
    Ar e you kidding? she wanted to scream. Kris Condos and his jerk of a girlfriend ruined my junior year. They ruined the lab and they almost ruined me. They had no business doing what they did.
    Instead, when she locked on to his deep-chocolate-brown eyes, all she could think of was their conversation on the plane and how remorseful he’d been, how willing to make amends, how sad she was that he was burdened with guilt.
    â€œYes?” The corners of those eyes crinkled, and despite her swirling fury, something inside her snapped.
    Then things got really weird.
    Her pulse fluttered and her