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It looks like I’m going to have to bug River to help me, either that or deal with failing the course.
I go to class, feeling less than awesome about this new development, as well as the fact that Kodiak still has the paper copy of my schedule. I would like to think it doesn’t matter, but he’s proven to derive great pleasure from making my life difficult, and I have a feeling this is only going to help his cause.
After class, I meet up with Lovey and Lacey for lunch in the student cafeteria. I choose to drown my sorrows in coconut-milk ice cream—I’m not above using food as an emotional crutch, but actual ice cream will create more problems since I’m lactose intolerant.
“That’s your lunch?” Lovey asks when I take the seat across from her with my giant sundae. Her plate is full of salad and some kind of vegan casserole. The cafeteria here caters to everyone, so they have great nondairy and plant-based options.
“Don’t judge,” I say through a mouthful of ice cream and cookie bits—those are also vegan. Who knew? The marshmallows and gummy bears, however, are not.
Lacey slides into the seat beside Lovey, her plate almost matching her twin’s. “Ooooh, looks like someone is eating her feelings. What happened?”
“I failed a test.” I pop a mini marshmallow into my mouth. I love them when they’re frozen because they remind me of the Lucky Charms marshmallows.
“Oh no,” they say in unison.
“It gets worse, though.” I stab my spoon into the ice cream, digging out a gummy bear.
Their eyes flare.
“Worse how?” Lacey whispers.
“I went to student services to see about an econ tutor.”
“They didn’t have anyone available?” Lovey asks.
“Oh, they sure did. But it was Kodiak.”
Both of their faces fall. “Oh.”
“And I said I’d rather fuck a cactus than be tutored by him, so obviously I won’t be going back there.”
Lovey choke-coughs on a mouthful of spinach, and Lacey pats her on the back. “Oh my God, did you really say that?”
“Yup.” I’m equal parts mortified and impressed with myself. It was witty, but also highly inappropriate. My mom would probably be proud.
“That’s awesome, but I guess that means he’s still being a jerk.” Lovey props her chin on her fist. “I don’t get it. You guys were so close when you were kids. He would do anything for you.”
I shrug and dig back into my sundae. “People change.”
“I guess,” Lacey agrees.
“Except BJ, he’s always a flirt and a player.” Lovey rolls her eyes, but her cheeks flush. “Anyway, back to this tutor thing. We might know someone who could help.”
“Really?” I perk up. Most of Lovey and Lacey’s friends are really nice.
A bright smile spreads across Lovey’s face, and she claps her hands. “You remember Dylan? You met him at the party at our place?”
I deflate. “Oh, yeah.” The guy I bitched to about Kodiak while I was drunk off cheap coolers.
“Well, he’s majoring in, like, some kind of business program. I don’t really know what it is, but he does all the financial stuff for the fraternity, so I bet he’d help you out.”
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
She frowns. “Why not? He asked about you after the party.”
It’s my turn to frown. “Really?”
She nods vigorously. “Oh yeah, he said you were really pretty, and funny.”
“He said I was funny?” I’m parroting her now, but I’d thought I made a total ass out of myself. I perseverated about it for two days, running over the things I could remember saying, wondering if I sounded like an idiot. It’s the reason I try to avoid parties in the first place.
“You are funny,” Lacey says and takes a bite of her casserole, chewing slowly.
Maybe he was as drunk as me and doesn’t remember all the asinine things I said.
“Lacey’s right. You are, and maybe he can help you with econ and you can get to know each other better.” She gives me a hopeful look. “You’re not living with your parents anymore, so you can have a little fun, right? Meet someone new? Maybe date and stuff?”
“I dated last year.” I even lost my precious virginity. He was nice, and I liked him, but it wasn’t an earth-shattering experience. Still, it felt good to be wanted and to finally have some experience that had nothing to do with a freaking silicone pleasure device gifted to me by my grandmother. “Besides, I may not be at home, but I still live with my brothers.”
“Well, they don’t have to know, do they? And it’s just tutoring. So what if the guy who wants to tutor you also thinks you’re pretty and funny?”
I dig another marshmallow out. “Okay. You can give him my number or whatever. If nothing else, I need the help, and it’s flattering to have someone say I’m pretty.”
