He taps his book. “Better go check out this book before someone else puts it on hold or something.”
I nod. “Okay, sure.”
He turns to go. The thought of him walking away from me, of me never seeing him again, of missing out on a potential perfect guy for me, fills me with panic. For the past few days, I kept waiting for the guys to ask me out or make the first move, but none of them did. Feeling a confidence I’ve never felt before, I decide it’s time I go after what I want. It’s time formeto make the first move.
“Wait.”
He turns around.
My heart hammers in my chest. I’ve never done this before. My mind fills with so many thoughts that I can’t make sense of them. But I shove everything away and focus on one thing only.
“Do you want to hang out sometime?” I blurt.
His lips form such a cute smile as he nods. “Sure, that’d be awesome.” He hands me his phone and I punch my number in. “See ya, Sophie.”
“You, too, Axel.”
He smiles one more time before walking to the checkout machine. I watch him until he heads for the exit. Before he leaves, he turns around to give me another one of his cute grins. Then he walks out.
I sink down on a chair, my heart pounding, my hands clammy, and my mind a whirlpool. How in the world did I just do that? Could it be fate?
I can’t concentrate on the books I’m trying to take out. I just can’t stop thinking about Axel. Imagining him and me talking about books all day. I’ve never had anyone to share that with, and I can’t wait to hear his amazing thoughts.
Okay, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. We didn’t set up a date or anything. But he did say he’s interested. If I were home, I’d yell into my pillow. Instead, I need to get a hold of myself, take out the books I want, and return to campus before the ten o’clock curfew. I have time, but I need to be careful not to get so caught up in books that I forget to return in time.
My phone beeps with a text from an unknown number.
Hey, it’s Axel. Want to hang out tomorrow after school?
Wow, he’s fast. I guess he must be as interested in me as much as I’m interested in him. It makes butterflies flutter in my stomach because no one has ever been into me before. At all.
Sophie: Sure, but it’ll have to be a little later because I have tutoring after school.
Axel: That’s cool. We all need help once in a while.
Sophie: Yeah, of course, but I mean I tutor a student.
Axel: Nice! It’s always great to help others. You’re amazing.
I smile. He doesn’t even know me and already thinks I’m amazing?
Sophie: Thanks.
Axel: See you tomorrow, then.
Sophie: See you.
It takes me a while because I can’t stop thinking about Axel, but I manage to find books and drive home. The first place I go to is Harrington’s apartment and ring the bell. I know it’s notcool to go to the principal’s apartment, but I’m not here to see her. I hope she won’t mind, though.
The door opens and Damian stands there. His eyes widen like he wasn’t expecting me to be here.
“Sorry, is it okay if I come in?” I ask. “Or does your mom not let?”
He shrugs as he widens the door. “She’s not home, but I don’t think she’d mind because it’s you.”
“Oh, you mean your friend.”
“Tutor.”
