“Anyway,” I said, “do you want to go grab an extra book from Mrs. Brewster’s classroom?”
“Nah, let’s share yours.” He didn’t wait for an objection; instead, he got up from the table and made his way to my side.
I flinched as his leg bumped into mine. “Can you watch what you’re doing?”
“My bad.” Fuller pushed his dark hair off his face. His deep blue eyes locked with mine and refused to budge. “You really don’t like me, huh?” He offered a lopsided smile, but it faltered.
“Not particularly.” I wanted to say so much more, but the words refused to come out. Fuller James was literally the last person I’d ever choose to spend time with. He all but ruined my life five years ago, he walked around the halls of Magnolia Valley High like he was untouchable, and he never had to face any real consequences for acting like an arrogant jerk. He was always getting a free pass from one of our teachers or even the principal. Today was probably the only time he’d ever been forced to do something he didn’t want to while in the halls of our school.
“Ouch.” He held his hands to his chest and grimaced. “That hurt.” But instead of being serious, he laughed it off. Everything was a joke to him and his dumb friends. “Now, what do I need to do to get you to write my paper?”
“I knew this was a stupid idea. I’d rather take the suspension and lose my spot at STEM camp.” I picked up my backpack and slung it over my shoulder.
Fuller’s cheeks turned dark red and his mouth opened, but nothing came out. For the first time since getting beat by our rivals last year, he actually looked shocked. “I was just kidding, Wren. Hold up.”
Mrs. Parsons looked over at us and held a finger to her lips. “This is the library, not the playground.”
I expected Fuller to burst out laughing at the notion that we were behaving like we were at a playground, but he immediately stopped talking. It didn’t matter though; I’d had enough.
Fuller caught up to me and held out his hands. “Wait, Wren,” he whispered. “Don’t go. Please.” His voice had a slight quaver.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I shook my head. “Why not? You’re just going to treat this like a joke. Why should I waste my time working with you?”
“I’m sorry. I was just joking around.” Fuller dropped his gaze, his eyes actually looking remorseful. “I didn’t think,” Fuller said, his dark lashes sweeping up. “Please stay.”
I stood with my feet planted but remained silent. I really didn’t want a suspension or detention on my permanent record. More importantly, I really wanted to go to STEM camp. I’d won a spot there due to my grades and a heartfelt essay. There was no way my parents could afford the hefty seven-hundred-dollar price tag otherwise. Plus, everyone who got into the camp was awarded a certificate for four free science textbooks at college next year. That was worth at least four hundred dollars.
“Wren?”
“Fine.” The hesitation in my voice was unmistakable. “But only if you take this seriously.”
“I promise.” His tone had completely transformed. He sounded sincere.
“If that changes, I’m out.” I sat back down at the table. “For real.” I didn’t need to waste my time on a dumb jock, but I’d seen a different side of him in the library. Maybe there was more than met the eye when it came to Fuller James?
He nodded. “Understood.”
I pulled out my laptop and binder. “All right. First question…have you read the book?”
Fuller winced.
Surprise, surprise. “I’ll take that as a no. Break it up into chunks. Take nine chapters tonight and tomorrow, and eight on Thursday. You’ll obviously need to turn in your topic before then, but if you get the majority of the reading done, I’ll help you. Deal?”
“I’ll do my best.” Fuller’s voice didn’t sound nearly as confident as it had a few minutes ago.
“To get you started, I want you to think about these themes as you’re reading.” I paused and waited for Fuller to get out his laptop. “Racism and police brutality, the importance community plays in one’s upbringing, dueling identities, and racial injustice.”
His fingers moved over the keyboard painfully slowly. Waiting for him to finish, my gaze drifted to his muscular biceps. According to two sophomore girls who sat behind me at lunch, Fuller worked out constantly. He allegedly spent hours before and after school lifting weights, running, and shooting free throws. Whatever he was doing, it was obviously working.
“Okay, got it.” Fuller looked up and caught me staring. The corners of his lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything.
Heat crept up the back of my neck and pooled in my cheeks. Luckily, before I could die of embarrassment, Fuller’s phone buzzed.
He looked down to check it. He didn’t even worry that Mrs. Parsons would see him and take it away. His brazen confidence was beyond irritating.
“Okay, well, I’m going to get started on my apology note to Mr. Tillson and Miss Constance, and then I’ve got to tackle my Calculus homework. There’s really nothing more I can help you with until you do some of the reading.” I reached into my backpack and pulled out a notebook and my calculator. If I could get the letter and my homework done before the bell rang, I’d have time to go for a long run when I got home from school. After getting dragged into the principal’s office and being forced to deal with Fuller this afternoon, I’d need it to blow off some steam.
Fuller’s jaw dropped.
“What? Did you want me to sit here with you and read the book out loud?”
Recoiling, Fuller’s eyebrows knit together. “Fair enough.”
“Remember, nine chapters tonight.” I softened my tone and paused, mentally reflecting on his time-consuming workout schedule. “But, if you’re short on time or too tired, I recommend checking out the audiobook. You can listen to it on your phone or your laptop. Mrs. Parsons can help get you set up and you can start listening to it now.”
Fuller’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yeah, I listen to books all the time. Especially during training and cross-country season. Helps pass the time during long runs.” What I didn’t tell him was that I started listening to them in seventh grade, after Marissa stopped talking to me and Fuller’s nickname for me had stuck.
I escaped into those books for hours on end. Getting lost in new worlds, falling in love with shapeshifters, and wishing I could go back in time, become a vampire, or somehow magically escape into the pages.
With a fresh reminder of Fuller’s obnoxious ways, I closed my laptop and shoved it into my backpack. “Anyway, like I said, I’m going to get started on my homework. Somehow the first five problems aren’t legible anymore. They’re covered in lettuce and ranch.”
Fuller flinched. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
I didn’t respond. What could I say? It wasn’t like I forgave him. Plus, I still had to track down someone from Calculus to copy today’s notes.
“Okay, well, I’m going to go check on the audiobook situation. Thanks for telling me about that. I’m not the fastest reader. If I’m lucky, I might even be able to get a chapter in before practice.” Fuller packed up and headed over to the librarian’s desk. “See you here tomorrow?”
“All right,” I said, not looking up.
Thirty math problems and one box of grape and strawberry Nerds later, the bell rang. Glancing up, I was surprised to see Fuller still at the circular librarian’s desk. They must have been having problems with the audiobook. Normally, I would have headed over to help, but Fuller and Mrs. Parsons could figure this one out without me.
“Hey, Wren. Can we talk for a moment?”
I spun around, coming face-to-face with my uncle.
“I think you said everything you needed to in the principal’s office.” I knew I sounded disrespectful, but I was angry. If I wasn’t his niece, there’s no way I would have gott
en saddled with tutoring Fuller.
“Listen, kid. I’m sorry about earlier. I know this isn’t how you want to spend your study hall, but Fuller really needs your help.” He glanced over his shoulder at Fuller and Mrs. Parsons. “If he gets kicked off the team, he can kiss any chances at a scholarship goodbye, and there’s no way we’d be able to make it back to the state championship without him. That would really hurt him and the rest of the team, too.”
I grimaced. I definitely didn’t want any of the other guys on the team to have to pay for Fuller’s bad grades. But it wasn’t my fault he’d earned them in the first place.
“Listen, I have a favor to ask.” He looked around, as if he was checking to make sure no one was listening in on our conversation.
“Another one?” I crossed my arms.
“This is the last one, I promise.” He lowered his voice. “Can you keep this whole mandatory tutoring duty and Fuller’s failing grade to yourself?”
My nose scrunched up. Why did my uncle want to keep things so hush-hush?
“The thing is, when Fuller missed a few games before, the team took a nosedive. Even though he’s a bit full of himself, the other guys really look up to him and rely on him to be their leader. If word gets out that he might not play, it could start to mess with their heads. Doubt could creep in. It could have a very negative impact on the season. Plus, the one bad grade is practically irrelevant. After working with the smartest student at Magnolia Valley High, I’m sure he’ll be back up to passing in no time.”
I slowly let out a deep breath.
“And…it would mean a lot to me.”
My heart hammered in my chest. Mean a lot to him? You know what would mean a lot to me? Never having to spend five seconds alone with Fuller James, let alone ongoing tutoring sessions! What if it takes him until graduation to boost his grade?
“It’s not like we’re friends, though. What excuse do you want me to give people to explain why we’re hanging out during study hall?”
A line formed on his forehead as he pressed his lips together. “Maybe just say that, since you’re in the same class, you’re just doing your homework together?”
“Like people will believe that,” I scoffed.
“Please, Wren.” My uncle sounded desperate.
“Fine. I’ll just tell people we’re working on our AP Lit papers because we have study hall at the same time. That’s at least partially true.” Why Fuller couldn’t just switch to regular senior Lit was beyond me. I felt a bit guilty, but it wasn’t my fault he was struggling in an AP class. I mean, I’m not good at riding a skateboard, therefore, I wouldn’t try out for the World Roller Games.
I know my strengths and my weaknesses. Fuller the jock should know his, too.
“Thanks, sweetheart. You’re the best,” my uncle said with a smile. He checked his watch. “I better head to the gym and get ready for practice. Thanks again, Wren.”
After he left, I stood still for several seconds. Did I just agree to keep a secret on Fuller’s behalf? All so the boys’ basketball team wouldn’t have a complex over their star player getting benched?
Sure, he averaged twenty-five points a game, but so what? Why couldn’t TyShaun or Marc step it up? They weren’t as skilled with the ball as Fuller, but between the two of them, they should be able to improve their averages this season.
Before I could pick apart what had just happened, I felt the familiar buzz of my phone from the back of my book bag.
Seeing as school hours were over and we could use our phones without getting into trouble, I unzipped my backpack and unlocked the screen.
Dae: Meet me in the hallway.
Me: Which one?
Dae: Outside the library.
I slipped my backpack straps over my shoulders and headed out into the hallway. Dae stood on the other side with his arms crossed.
“What’s up?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice. “How did you know I was in there and not study hall?”
“Got out of class a few minutes early and saw you in there with—”
“Hey, Dae.” Two junior girls walked by, batting their eyelashes at him.
“Hey.” He smiled politely but turned his attention back toward me immediately.
“But Dae.” I did my best to imitate the girls. “Pay attention to us.”
Hot, but down-to-earth and not interested in being part of the popular crew, Dae had a lot of admirers at our school. But, after having his heart trampled last summer by his ex-girlfriend, Eva, he’d sworn off dating anyone new until he got to college.
“Yeah, yeah. Very funny. But seriously,” Dae said, lowering his voice, “not the important part of this conversation. Why in the world were you sitting next to F.B.M. in the library?” He looked like he’d just downed a large gulp of sour milk. “Have you lost your mind? Do you need me to take you to the hospital or something?”
“Oh, um, I…” The hallway buzzed with students, including a group of sophomore guys who all had their phones out. One of them narrowly missed an open locker.
“Hello? Earth to Wren? Why were you with Fuller James?” Dae waved his hand in front of my face.
“Not here. Let’s talk in the car.” I wasn’t sure how to handle what had just happened with my uncle. Everyone in school knew I detested Fuller. How was I going to explain hanging out with him during our last period if I didn’t tell the truth? Also, how would I put up with him one-on-one for an hour a day?
Not only had he given me the world’s worst nickname, he’d dated Marissa on and off since seventh grade. I knew he wasn’t responsible for turning my best friend against me, but he hadn’t exactly helped the situation. He was the reason I’d given up on being friends with girls after Marissa, Courtney, and practically every other girl in my class started making fun of me. I couldn’t trust that my own gender wouldn’t throw me under the bus the next time a guy like Fuller James gave them the opportunity.
I shook my head and cursed myself for getting in that stupid food fight. Spending time with Fuller was like a constant reminder of how, in a single night, I’d become the laughingstock of our middle school and lost my best friend.
On top of having to lie and being forced to work with Fuller, I thought about the extra time I’d have to spend doing homework every night, since my study hall had been hijacked. I could handle it, but it was more than annoying.
Dae and I walked side by side as we made our way through the crowded hall and into the crisp fall air. The leaves had started to change, and the towering oak and maple trees on the mountains surrounding our school had transformed from serene greens to vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. Thankful for the unspoken understanding that came from being best friends for five years, I walked next to Dae in silence until we got to my car.
“Okay, spill it.”
I inserted the key in the ignition and exhaled slowly.
Dae shook his head. “Spill. It.”
I knew I had just promised my uncle that I wasn’t going to tell anyone, but Dae wasn’t just anyone. He’d keep my secret. “So, you know how when you were meeting with Mr. Norman during lunch, there was that food fight? Well, I kind of lost it…”
“Yeah.” Dae’s voice was laden with confusion. “You texted me and told me that you nailed Marc with the mashed potatoes. Which I’m sure he totally deserved. But what does that have to do with Fuller?”
“Principal Davis called Fuller and me into his office after AP Lit. He had video of me chucking mashed potatoes at Fuller but accidentally hitting Marc.” Saying the words aloud made me realize how childish the entire situation was and how easy it would have been to avoid.
“Uh-oh.”
Even though the car was in park, I gripped the steering wheel. “He gave me an ultimatum. Suspension and detention, which would mean losing my spot at STEM camp, or…”
“Or what?” Dae tur
ned toward me, his dark brown eyes not leaving my face.
“Before I tell you, you’ve got to promise not to tell anyone else about this, Dae. I mean it, I haven’t even told Brandon yet.” I released the wheel and cracked my knuckles.
“Promise. Now what’s going on?”
“I could face suspension, detention, and missing STEM camp, or tutor Fuller James.” As the words left my lips, my gaze fell on Marissa and Courtney getting into Marissa’s car. Last year, when she’d gotten her license, her parents had surprised her with a BMW convertible. Sure, a few kids at our school drove really nice cars, but with Marissa, she was constantly shoving it in everyone’s face and making fun of classmates who drove old beaters. She was the epitome of spoiled rotten.
“Wait, what?” Dae shook his head. “Either get suspended or tutor Fuller? That’s complete crap.”
Marissa peeled out of her parking spot and sped off toward the exit, her blond hair flying in the air behind her.
“Tell me about it. To make it worse, my uncle was in the principal’s office with us. He totally guilt-tripped me. If Fuller doesn’t play, the team is going to pay the price and their chances of winning State practically disappear.” Saying his name left a bitter taste in my mouth. “There was no way I could say no with him in there.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “So, yeah. I had to decide between detention and suspension or tutoring Fuller until he brings his grade up.”
“Wow…” Dae sat in the passenger’s seat, looking at a complete loss for words.
“And there’s more.” I frowned. “My uncle doesn’t want me to tell anyone.”
“Keep the tutoring sessions secret? Why?” Dae asked.
“He doesn’t want the other guys on the team getting psyched out about the possibility of their star player riding the bench or even getting kicked off the team. He said it could cost Fuller and some of the other guys a scholarship.” Thanks to my grandpa, I loved watching basketball, especially our high school team, and I certainly didn’t want to do anything that would hurt the other guys… But, when it came down to it, did I love it enough to put up with Fuller James?
I Hate You, Fuller James Page 4