Page 38 of Spelling Disaster

“You actually showed up,” he calls out.

Unless I miss my mark, he sounds…happy.Elatedis pushing it butjoyfulis not much of a stretch.

“Yeah, I did,” I say, a little embarrassed, holding my elbow to keep myself contained.

My feet skid on my next few steps and I’m not sure how to fight against a large part of me that wants to rush over and leap into his arms, kiss him stupid.

The seconds stretch on until I’m right in front of him with blinders on for the rest of the world. Everything narrows until it’s us, the statue, the thumping of my heart. It all melts away until there’s only Theo because he’s looking at me. He’s giving me his full attention and it feels both strange and wonderful at the same time.

“So, what’s this plan of yours?” I ask in a desperate bid to fill the empty space between us with words. “You said you have a way to help us both. Let’s hear it.”

“So eager,” he purrs.Oh, god. My cheeks burst into flame. “I certainly think this will help us both.” He smiles at me and my knees melt. “It’s no secret you’ve had a hard time.”

I scoff. “Define hard time.”

He’s nothing but sympathy and understanding as he says, “You might not have seen me, but you’re impossible not to notice, Yasmine. You’ve had some trouble finding your footing since you came. Not with classes, but with the rest of the academy experience.”

“Um.” My insides feel hot and uncomfortable. “Well, it hasn’t been the easiest,” I admit, so embarrassed I’m lightheaded. My entire body is so hot it’s impossible to tell if he actually sees me blushing in the dark or not. “It’s not a simple thing to come into school in the middle of the semester.”

“You excel in your classes, though,” Theo insists. “You always know the right answer and you’re done with your practices before everyone else.”

“I’m well read.” I’m also squirming.

“Exactly my point, and I need a tutor. Which leads me to my proposition.” He leans back against the statue with his arms crossed over his chest. “I need help. You need help in a different way.”

I eye him, waiting for him to continue.

“Fitting in,” he clarifies. “You’re not having the best time making friends. That’s one thing I know how to do. I’ll be your fake plus one for this semester.Ifyou can help me pass my classes.”

He lets those final words settle and it takes me more than a few seconds to realize the implications.

A fake plus one? He wants to pretend to be my…friend. Date? No, impossible.

“I’m not going to cheat for you just to make sure you stay in class, if that’s the kind of help you’re asking for. That’s not…it’s not okay.” I’m fumbling over my words like an idiot. “I don’t cheat. And I don’t need help making friends.”

Theo chuckles, the sound is dark and rich and straight out of my wildest dreams. What choice do I have but to swoon? I hide the movement by shifting to his side and leaning my hip on the base of the statue.

“I don’t want to cheat,” Theo corrects. “I need someone to make sure I know the material. For some reason, directions and execution don’t mesh for me. I can’t become a high priest if someone else is doing the work for me.” He runs a hand through his hair once again, the strands already messed from before, and the movement captivates me. Then, dropping his voice low to avoid being overheard by anyone nearby, he admits, “None of this stuff really makes sense to me. Ever. I’ve always had an issue with this kind of thing and right now, when it counts the most, I can’t make it work on my own.”

I nod along with the words. I understand.

Sometimes it’s hard to follow along, especially if you have questions from the start. It can make the rest of the spellwork seem incomprehensible.

He doesn’t want me to cheat. That’s a relief.

But…

“Let me see if I’m following,” I start. “You want me to tutor you in the source material and in return…what? You’ll pretend you’re interested in me?” I shake my head. “I feel pathetic enough as it is. I don’t need your pity.”

How humiliating. I want to tell him no. I might have some problems socially but that doesn’t mean I need someone to pretend for me, to pity me.

Besides, what about Helena?

I say none of these things as I work my way through the scenario in my head.

“There’s no pity involved.” Theo shifts a little closer and his scent hits me like a brick to the side of the face. Wow, he smells good. Earthy and spicy and a hint of sweat. “Believe me, Yasmine.”

“You don’t know me.”

---