CHAPTER ONE
“Tessa. A word after class.”
My stomach dropped. Professor Rodrigo’s tone was neutral, but I knew she was about to tell me bad news.
I packed up my things and told Willow I’d catch up with her later, then dragged myself to the front of the lecture theater where Professor Rodrigo was disconnecting her laptop. She fixed me a look, her eyes magnified by her tortoise shell glasses.
“I think you know why I called you here,” she said.
I winced. “Is it my midterm?”
Her expression softened slightly. “You got 17%.”
Crap.Maths was never my strong suit, but I’d done okay in high school — Well enough to get into Lacewood U. I thought I’d never have to take another maths class once I started college, but Intro to Algebra was required for all freshmen.
“So that means I failed, right?” I tried to put on a brave face, even though internally I was freaking out. I knew I shouldn’t have gone to that frat party the weekend before the midterm. Hell, I spent every weekend going to parties instead of studying. What had I expected?
“You’re going to sit a redemption exam. All you need to do is pass.”
“How will I pass if I failed the first time?” I asked.
“How hard did you study the first time?”
I couldn’t meet Professor Rodrigo’s eyes. We both knew the answer to that.
“Don’t worry,” she continued. “I’ve already gone ahead and organized a tutor for you.”
“A tutor?”
“Yes,” she said primly, returning her attention to her laptop, which she closed and put into her satchel. “A PhD student I’m supervising. I’ll give him your details and you can organize a time to get together.”
“Right,” I said faintly. “Great. Thank you.”
I knew Professor Rodrigo was doing me a massive favor, allowing me a chance to redeem my grade and organizing a tutor for me. But I didn’t want to meet with some random PhD student. I didn’t want to waste my precious time, listening to a stranger explain polynomials to me. I wanted to hang out with my friends, and make the most of the remaining few months of my freshman year.
I didn’t even understand why I had to take Intro to Algebra. My major was history, for god’s sake.
But there was no point complaining. Sometimes you had to do what you had to do. So I gave Professor Rodrigo my phone number and hoped the tutoring sessions wouldn’t be too painful.
Two days later, I sat in The Cozy Bean, the best cafe on campus. Outside, students strolled past, lit up in the sunshine. It was springtime, and the trees were covered in bright green leaves, and flowers were blooming in garden beds. I could be outside, having a picnic with my friends.
Instead I was inside, my algebra textbook in front of me, and a hot chocolate that had now turned cold.
I checked my phone, rereading the messages I’d exchanged with the guy who was supposed to be my tutor.
Tessa, this is Ryan Montgomery. I’m going to tutor you.
I’d replied:Hi. Thanks.
Ryan: When are you free to meet?
Tessa: Wednesday afternoon. I have class until 2, then I’m free.
Ryan: Let’s meet at 2:30 then, at The Cozy Bean.
I checked the time at the top of the screen. It was 2:30 exactly. I spent about three seconds feeling smug at the fact this Ryan Montgomery guy was late when someone appeared in front of my table.
“Tessa?”
