Cross

I knew it was bound to happen. This book has slipped a little into the cliches of high school and social ranking. The unpopular girl that nobody notices has fallen for one of the most popular guys at Ault School. Cross Sugarman (insert heroic music)
...Charming, sexy, and everything that Lee doesn't have. Lee immediately falls for him. She describes the typical high school crush: she falls for something small about him and suddenly loves everything.

Fortunately for my reading interest, Curtis Sittenfeld has taken a new spin on the crush scenario. Lee ends up going on an almost date with Cross after she faints while getting her ears pierced. Lee fainted at precisely the right moment in the right place. It is while he is taking care of her afterwards that her crush truly develops. She is fascinated by his laid-back attitude that makes him seem cool and unreachable. He is different from the typical guy in high school. Cross doesn't seem to care about the opinions of other people. It's hard to describe exactly the impression that he gives off, but overall he is definitely a person everyone wants to be or be friends with.

Lee ends up spending an entire day with Cross and his friends at a mall. She is pleasantly surprised by the openness in which her presence is accepted. At the end of the night, Lee takes a taxi home with these guys. Sitting next to Cross, she feels his fingers gently stroking her hair in the most adorable fashion. The scene was all together sensual and cute. Unfortuantely, upon returning back to campus, their normal distance is resettled. But this "relationship" of sorts can't be over already!

So thumbs up once again Curtis Sittenfeld! You've both used and altered the cliche of high school crushes. I'm definitely predicting that Lee's infatuation will weaken and then restrengthen throughout the rest of this novel. Lee has to have something to look forward to in this story...something to work for.

Even if it's just a single kiss with Cross.