“Yes, Miss Daniels. Is there something you want?”
“I’d like to work out the last problem.”
“Really?” He doesn’t mask his surprise.
“Really. May I?” I’m trying to keep my tone polite. I don’t want to wind up with another detention.
He steps away from the white board. I carry my book and notebook, but when I walk by him, he grabs the notebook from my hands. “I’ll hold on to this.”
“Why?” I stop and stare at him.
“I see you have the correct answer, but I want to see how you arrived at it.”
“I was planning to show my work.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “You were planning to copy what you have written in your notebook. I’d rather see you work out the problem.”
He thinks I copied someone else’s work! Unbelievable! “Fine.” I catch my bitchy tone before I get into more trouble. “I’d be happy to show you.” I force a smile.
I take a deep breath as I walk to the board. Staring at the problem in the book, it looks completely foreign. No, I had this last night. I can do this. I just can’t let Rollar rattle me. I picture Toby explaining the problems to me, and go through all the steps, one by one. When I finish, I step back and look at Mr. Rollar. “Did I do it correctly?”
“You tell me.” He puts my notebook back on my desk and folds his hands in front of him. “Is that how you did the homework last night?”
He’s trying to get me to admit to cheating. “Yes.”
“Then you have your answer.”
I did it right. I smile and walk back to my seat. Mr. Rollar nods as I pass by him. “Your tutor said you’re doing well. I guess he’s right.”
So Toby talked to him already. But then why would Rollar put me through that? Why make it sound like he thought I cheated? When the bell rang I held back, determined to find out. After the last student left, I walked up to Mr. Rollar’s desk.
“Do you need something, Ms. Daniels?”
“Yes. I need to know why you give me a hard time. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but I feel like you don’t like me or something. You made it sound like I copied someone else’s homework, but then you admitted Toby told you about tutoring me. I don’t get it. I’m trying to improve my grade. I really am.”
“I see that now, but yesterday you came in here with an almost blank piece of homework after you swore you were going to study and have the homework completed. Look at it from my perspective.” He leans back in his chair. “It seemed to me like you were just telling me what you thought I wanted to hear and that you had no intention of doing anything about your grade.”
“I studied with Tori at first, but she couldn’t help me much. I did try, though. It’s frustrating. And so I got Toby to tutor me. He’s a really good teacher.”
Mr. Rollar nods. “Then I suggest you ask him to keep working with you.” He stands up and grabs his briefcase. “You may just manage a good grade after all.” He smiles and walks out.
It wasn’t the victory I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.
I head to my locker and get my books before dreaded detention. I told Mom and Dad Tori and I were studying at the library after school. As long as Mr. Rollar and Vice Principal Davidson don’t call home, I’ll be fine. And considering this is my first detention ever, I don’t see why they would call.
I take a seat in the second row by the door and open up my history book. I have to read a chapter and answer questions. Mindless work that I can do in here and save myself from having to lug the giant textbook home. Halfway through the second page of the reading, someone sits down next to me.
“Using your time wisely, I see.”
I look at Toby, my eyes widening. “What are you doing here? You couldn’t possibly have detention.”
He leans back in his chair. “What can I say? I had a bad day yesterday.”
“No way!” Vice Principal Davidson shoots me a look, and I lower my head, pretending to read from my history book again. After a couple minutes, I discreetly turn toward Toby. “What did you do?”
“I was caught in the halls without a pass.”
“When?”
“Right after I left you.”
“So, you’re here because of me?”
“Don’t sweat it. I told you, everyone gets detention once in a while.”
Something doesn’t add up. Toby isn’t the type to cut class. If he was in the hallway yesterday when I ran into him, he must have had a pass. “Why were you in the halls?”
“I didn’t feel like listening to Mrs. Engleberg talk about research papers anymore.”
Knowing Toby, his research paper was already done. “Right. That sounds just like you.”
“Ooh, you don’t believe me.” He sits forward, looking up at Vice Principal Davidson before he continues. He definitely doesn’t want to get into trouble, which only shows how bogus his story is. “I’m a little hurt.”
“Did you tell Meredith we’re studying tonight?” It sort of just slips out.
“Tori tell you that?”
I nod. “Did you tell Meredith you were studying with me, or did you just say you were tutoring someone?”
“You worried Meredith won’t like you hanging out with me?”
“We aren’t hanging out. You’re helping me with trig.”
“Right.”
This conversation just took a turn for the weird. Is he trying to tell me something?
“Why don’t you and Meredith get along?” he asks. “You’re neighbors, right?”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t think I’m up to her level.”
He stifles a laugh.
“Why is that so funny?”
“Because Meredith isn’t up to the standard she thinks she is. I feel sort of bad for her. She’s dying to fit in, and she doesn’t even see that the people she hangs all over don’t really like her. They tolerate her.”
“Is that what you do?”
“She’s okay. I’d be friends with her, but that’s not what she wants, apparently.”
“Apparently.” Davidson looks our way, so we stop talking. I read another two pages in my history book before I attempt conversation again. “You know, we’ve never talked like this before.”
“That’s because Tori claimed you as her friend. Ever notice we don’t share anything?”
“So you can’t be friends with her friends?” Well, that sucks for me. If Tori won’t let Toby be friends with me, she’ll definitely never approve of us dating.
“I’ve never tried. She wants to keep the twin stuff to a minimum, so we hang with different crowds.”
“But what about me? I mean, we’ve always interacted when I’m at your house. That’s not a problem for her, right? And she was the one to suggest you tutor me.”
“That’s not the same as being friends.”
“No, I guess it’s not.” My heart deflates. He’s saying we aren’t friends. I really am nothing but his sister’s best friend.
“Does that bother you?” He shifts closer in his seat.
How do I answer that without him knowing I have a huge crush on him? “I think it’s weird. I mean, you’re twins. You’re bound to like some of the same people.”
“I agree, but this is how Tori wants it.”
“So you get no say in the matter? And that’s okay with you?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s never really bothered me before.”
“Before? It bothers you now?”
He smiles. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“Sorry. I don’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business.”
He shrugs. “It kind of is.”
“How?” Damn it, another question.
He smiles again. “I get asked to tutor a lot.”
“Oh. You’re too busy to keep tutoring me. That’s okay.” No, it’s not. I don’t want to lose that time with him. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to being with him.
“That’s not what I meant.”
&
nbsp; This time I’m silent, waiting for him to explain.
“I get asked to tutor a lot, but I’ve never said yes.”
“Why not?” I cringe as another question comes out of my mouth.
“I’m busy mostly. And a lot of people think if I tutor them, it gives them access to the crowd I hang out with.”
“Like they’re using you for your popularity and your brain?”
“Exactly.”
“But you knew I wasn’t.”
“Right. You really just wanted help in trig.”
And a date would be nice. Man, I feel awful for having other motives that he knows nothing about.
“If I thought you were like the others, I would’ve said no, suggested another tutor.”
Except, I am like them. Aren’t I? No, I didn’t trick Toby. I wasn’t going to ask him to tutor me. Tori did it. Yes, I’m enjoying his company, but I didn’t trick him at all.
“So, are you up for another tutoring session this evening?”
“You sure you want to?” There, I gave him a way out. If we continue with this, it will be because he wants to. His decision.
“Yeah. I had a lot of fun with you last night.”
My stomach knots. “Me too.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you at seven.” He gets up. “Now, I have to get out of here. I don’t really have detention.” He winks and walks out of the room without Vice Principal Davidson even looking his way.
Chapter 5
When seven o’clock rolls around, I still don’t know what to make of Toby’s detention appearance. Why was he there if he didn’t really have detention? And what was with the story about getting caught skipping class? Nothing makes sense to me. Because if those things weren’t true, then the only reason he showed up in detention was to talk to me. And that confuses me more than anything else.
“Why have you been so quiet tonight?” Tori asks, polishing her last fingernail.
“Have I?”
She looks up at me. “Something wrong?”
“I had a weird day.”
“Again?” She blows on her nails.
“Yeah. Mr. Rollar was strange in class today. He gave me a hard time and then tried to tell me it was because he thought I wasn’t really trying to improve my grade.”
“Toby’s tutoring didn’t help any, huh?”
“No, it did. A lot. Mr. Rollar was impressed. He said he can see I’m really trying now.”
“So, he gave you a hard time and then you made him eat his words, basically?”
“I guess.”
“Nice.” She waves her hands in front of her. Her nail drying ritual might be effective, but it looks ridiculous. “But you know he’s going to hate you if you keep making him look stupid in front of the class.”
“Not if he learns to stop picking on me.” I smile.
“That’s my girl. I’m rubbing off on you.”
“Maybe a little.” I laugh.
“You’re going to be late for your tutoring session.” Tori waves her hands in the direction of the clock on the nightstand.
Why am I putting off going to Toby’s room? It’s not like me, but his strange behavior has me questioning everything. “Yeah, I guess I should go.”
“And tell Toby we’re going to have to swap phones soon. I’m still getting bombarded with calls. Only this time they’re from Meredith.”
“Meredith? But she has Toby’s number.”
“How do you know?” Tori arches a brow.
“She called last night while he was tutoring me.”
“Then tell him to make sure she doesn’t call me anymore.” Her tone is anything but friendly.
“Geesh, Tori.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to take my anger out on you. It’s bad enough you have to spend time with my brother. You don’t need to get involved with his many girlfriends.”
“They aren’t his girlfriends. More like stalkers.”
“Yeah, as if he doesn’t love the attention. Don’t let him fool you. It’s always been like this. Just because he’s my brother doesn’t mean you have to like him or defend him.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Good. Because last time I checked, we’re best friends. Toby has his own friends to stick up for him.”
“Right.” I don’t want to get into an argument over Toby, so I grab my stuff. “See you later.”
“Go get all smart and stuff.”
I walk to Toby’s room and knock on the door. Something feels off. He didn’t come get me like he did yesterday, and he has music playing. Maybe he changed his mind about tutoring me tonight. I knock again, and this time he answers. In his boxers. Holy hell!
“Oh.” He laughs and looks down at his underwear. “Oops. Come on in. I’ll put on some clothes.”
I hesitate in the hallway. The image of his bare chest is burned into my eyelids. Yes, I’ll be having good dreams tonight. But this isn’t a dream right now, and I’m not sure what to do. If he wasn’t off limits, I’d be in his room already, but I can’t act on anything I’m feeling.
“I’ll give you a minute.”
He steps behind his door and a minute later he’s back, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. “Sorry about that. I guess I lost track of time.”
“If you’re busy—”
He reaches for my arm and pulls me into his room. “So, still unit seven?”
“Yeah, just a new section. I think I might understand some of it.”
“Good. Mr. Rollar said you did well in class today.”
“Was my tutor checking up on me?” Damn, I’m flirting. That needs to stop. Immediately.
He laughs. “Just making sure you’re getting your money’s worth.”
“You want me to pay you? Oh. I didn’t even think—”
He puts his hand on my arm. “Relax. I was joking.”
“Oh. Right.” I turn away, my cheeks on fire.
“All right, before we get into your trig work, you have to tell me what’s got you so jumpy.” He closes the door and sits down on the bed, motioning for me to join him. His room is neater today. The bed is fully made, his closet is closed, and the bookshelf is dusted.
I sit down, letting my bag fall to the floor. “What was up with detention? First you show up and tell me you got in trouble for cutting class. Then you leave and say you never had detention.”
He laughs. “I did get caught in the hall without a pass, but I was sent on an errand for Mrs. Engleberg, so I didn’t get busted for it.”
“Then why did you make me think you had?”
“I didn’t want you to feel bad about getting detention. It really isn’t a big deal.”
“So you keep telling me.”
“Look, I thought if I was there too, you wouldn’t feel so bad about it.”
“But you didn’t have detention.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“And why did you leave so suddenly?”
“I remembered I was supposed to meet Meredith.”
“Oh.” I can’t keep up with those two. Are they together or are they not? And if he’s into her then why go to detention to see me? I couldn’t be more confused right now.
“It’s not like that. Remember how she called yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, she asked me to help her with her lab. She couldn’t figure it out, and she was absent the day the rest of the class did it.”
“So you were tutoring her?” He said he never tutored anyone else.
“No. We’re lab partners. I already did that lab the day she was absent. I told her I’d meet her in the lab and help her after school.” He shrugs one shoulder. “Only I sort of forgot until detention was halfway over.”
“I’m sure she wasn’t happy.”
His eyes widen, and he smiles. “No, she wasn’t. But it made it easier to tell her what I needed to.”
Did he set her straight? Tell her he’s not interested in her? “Well, I’m glad things worked out then.”
“You’re not going to ask me, are you?”
“Ask you what?”
“What I had to tell Meredith.”
“No. Why would I?”
“Because you want to know. I can see it in your eyes.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s none of my business.”
“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.” He fidgets with his hands in his lap. “I told Meredith that I’m not interested in her like that. And that I like someone else.”
I can’t help wondering if he’s telling me this so I know he likes someone else. Kill two birds with one stone and all that. “I feel sorry for the girl. Meredith is going to be gunning for her.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t.” He smiles, but I’m in no mood to return it. My stupid heart is crushed. I shouldn’t have let my feelings get this intense. It’s my own fault. Toby liking someone else is for the best. I couldn’t ever date him anyway. Tori wouldn’t allow it. But I still want to curl into a ball and cry my eyes out.
“So, maybe I should do a few problems and you can check them for me.” I pull my trig book from my bag and open it to the homework.
“Okay.” He takes the book and slides closer so I can see it while figuring out the problem in my notebook.
I work quickly, hoping to end this disaster of a tutoring session as soon as possible. “How’s that?” I hand him my notebook without meeting his eyes.
He looks it over. “You were good until here. Watch.” He takes the pencil from my hand, brushing his fingers across mine, and erases some of my work. I have to keep the physical contact to a minimum if I’m ever going to get over him. He explains what I did wrong, and I try the next problem, following his example. “Much better. Keep going.”
I finish the page, and he checks my answers. I only have to fix two of them, and considering my brain and heart are both piles of mush right now, I think that’s pretty good. “Great. Thanks.” I shove my books in my bag and stand up.
“Is there a fire I don’t know about?” He stands.
“I promised my parents I’d be home early. They want to spend some quality family time together.”
“Oh.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Well, have fun.”
I nod and walk out. I don’t want to stop in Tori’s room. She’ll spot the disappointment on my face in seconds, so I run downstairs and text her from the car.
Crush: A YA Romance Collection Page 94