Page 25 of Tutored By the Smart Girl

Great. Just great.

There’s a tap on the door. “Rush. You in there?”

“Enter.”

The door opens and Pat’s flashlight illuminates the dark bedroom.

“Just checking to see who’s home.” She pauses. “Oh, hello.”

“Hey Pat, this is Adison.”

We exchange pleasantries.

“You guys need to stay put. The reports are saying power lines are down. We’re supposed to shelter in place and, according to radar, the storm is far from finished.”

“Yeah, I was just looking at radar on my phone. Doesn’t look good.”

“You may want to spend the night here, Adison.”

My heart pounds in my chest.

Spend the night? Here?

“Oh? I?—”

“Hey Pat,” comes a deep voice from behind her.

Pat turns her flashlight toward the hallway.

“Where’d you come from?” she says to one of Rush’s housemates. “You’re soaked.”

Pat closes the bedroom door. The only light in the room is from Rush’s cell phone screen.

My stomach churns and grumbles.

“You hungry? I do have some snacks on top of the fridge.”

“Not hungry.”

My stomach is invaded by a mob of butterflies.

Why didn’t I pay closer attention to the weather instead of getting all wrapped up in the excitement of this day?

The lightning snaps and illuminates the room. I gasp and a small whimper escapes from my throat.

Rush studies me, concern on his face. He sets the cell phone aside. “You’re scared?” He holds open his arms to me. “Come here.”

I slide into his protective embrace and let out a sigh.

Safe.

Rush

Adison paces around my bedroom like a nervous cat. She goes between the window and sitting on the edge of my bed.

“Doesn’t look any better out there,” she says as she peers out the window.

She sits down on the bed and I take her gently by the wrist.

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