AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I sigh, leaning back against the counter. “I know, I know. Can we keep this bit of information between us? I don’t want CJ to find out, or Willow, for that matter. She’ll only get upset.”
His lips press together, but after a few painfully slow seconds, he nods. “Just be careful. Don’t go looking for trouble.”
“I will be.”
The sound of the door opening gains my attention. Turning, I notice a guy who’s in my English Lit class and possibly another, though I can’t think what one it might be—outside my circle of friends, I don’t really know anyone.
“Sorry, we’re not open today,” Alex calls out over my shoulder.
As the guy’s gaze nervously flicks between me and Alex, I try to remember his name, but it’s evading me. “I’m here to see Allie.”
I sense Alex turning to me for answers but keep my focus on the guy in front of me. I don’t know what he could possibly want with me. We’ve never spoken to each other.
“Can I help you?”
He takes a hesitant step forward. “I’m Ian. I’m in the same English class as you. I was wondering if we could talk for a moment?”
“Sure.” I glance over my shoulder to where he’s staring and notice Alex still standing there, watching him with the same interest. “I’ll come help in a minute,” I tell Alex, wondering why he seems so tense.
He nods, walking into the back. When he’s gone, I gesture for Ian to sit down at the table. As I take a seat opposite him, watching as he continues to study the room with a nervous energy, my mind tries to figure out what he could want from me. The only thing I can come up with is he needs some tutoring for our English class. I can help him; I don’t mind. But he might have to come into the library when I’m working because I don’t think I’ll have the time otherwise.
“What can I help you with?”
He jumps, like he forgot I was sitting here. Weird.
“Our teacher said I need to get at least a B on our next assignment. I need to pass this course this year if I want to finish my degree. She mentioned partnering up with someone. I remembered you from class and was wondering if you wanted to—team up, that is.”
Okay, not what I was expecting, and really, he shouldn’t have started by saying he needs to pass this course. It tells me he’s not applying himself, or he’s struggling, and teaming up with me, a straight A student, is a sure way to pass.
“I’m sorry, I already have my assignment planned out and am in the middle of writing it.”
“Already? We have six months to complete it.”
“I like to get a head start on everything. But if you want some tutoring, I’d be happy to help.”
He glances around the room again, when there’s a noise at the door. I glance over my shoulder, not finding a reason for the source of the noise.
“Would you?”
“Yeah.” I smile at the relief in his expression.
“Would you like to meet up tonight to work out a plan? We can meet up at Perk Inn on the corner of Green Street.”
“I actually have plans tonight, and if you really want my help, I’ll only be able to meet you here when I’m working.”
I hate letting him down—letting anyone down really. I see his shoulders sag and want to take back what I said, but I know I can’t.
Since dating CJ and standing up to Logan, I’ve felt a new-found confidence, something that wasn’t there before. I’m more social and have started to speak up instead of being spoken down to.
He keeps crossing and uncrossing his arms. “Cool, cool. What about?”
“Cupcake! I’ve come to offer you my services. And in case you’re wondering, that’s my extremely well-endowed muscles.”
I turn, a smile breaking across my face as CJ walks in. He frowns when he sees Ian, giving him a look that has the poor guy getting to his feet. He nearly trips over himself to get past me and CJ.
“I’ll, um, talk to you, um, later,” he stutters over his shoulder, before rushing through the doors.
CJ raises his eyebrow at me. “What’s his deal? And are those his friends outside giggling like little kids?”
