Page 18 of Innocent Princess

I bite my tongue because the last thing I want to do is promise something I can't deliver. So, I go with, "I'll do what I can, Zella."

There's no way around it. I know I'll be spending my night and next several days trying to find out as much as I can about Zella's parents.

7

Zella

"Remember,as you come in, please find your test from last week. If you don't pick it up, the grade won't change. It's already been entered in the grade book," the prof tells us as we all file into the room. We had our first Western Culture and Humanities test last week, and while I thought it was pretty easy, Wells and Cameron did not. I'm guessing, due to Ryker's blasé attitude toward it, that it was hard for him too.

Before taking the test, we were instructed to fold it in half, write our names on the back upper corner, which now makes sense as I can see all our tests piled up on the desk, in the folded form.

"A-F is in on the desk to the left. G-N on my desk and O-Z on the podium. Please be quick about it, people," the prof yells again.

I quickly look through the stack and find my test. As I climb the stairs to our normal seats, I open up my test and see a neatly written "A" in the corner. I smile.All in a day's work.Both Cameron and Wells follow behind me as we find out seats and sit.

"So, how'd you do, boys?"

"Meh, C plus," Wells grumbles.

Cameron shows me his test, and I'm happy to see a B minus.

I pat him on the back. "Nice job, Cameron."

Just then, Ryker shoves into the row in front of Cameron and me and folds himself into the seat next to Wells.

"What about you? How did you do, Ryker?" Cameron asks.

Ryker casually shrugs a shoulder. He opens up his test to see his grade. His facial expression doesn't change when he says, "Fine."

I can't tell if it's the truth or if he's just playing it off.

The prof calls the class to order, and Ryker and Wells turn forward. I pull out my notebook and pen, and as I look up toward the front of the room, I catch a glimpse of Ryker's test. The way it sits on the tiny desk in front of him leaves a gap between the folded pages. In red ink, I see a "D".

Bummer. I knew he was struggling during our study session, but I didn't realize it was that bad. I wonder if he'd take my help if I offered to tutor him. This stuff is easy, so helping him catch up would be easy.

Right then, I make a decision to offer my help next time we are together.

Later that evening, after eating dinner with the guys. Cameron heads off to Atlantica Athletic Center, and Wells, to meet Louisa.

Ryker walks me home. He’s unusually quiet tonight, and I wonder if his grade has got him down.

"Hey, so I accidentally saw what you got on your test." I give him a shy smile. It was an accident, but I was curious.

He grins down at me. "Oh yeah, an accident, huh? Nosy much?" He bumps the side of his arm into mine, and I know he doesn't really care that I saw.

"Yeah. I wanted to tell you that if you are interested, I'd happily be willing to help you get caught up."Please say yes, please say yes.

"Is that so?" He looks away from me and focuses on the path in front of us.

"Culture and Humanities is kind of my wheelhouse." I don't care; I'll toot my own horn. Especially when it gets him to smile. "I could help you in exchange for finding info on my parents. I'd be happy with any kind of information you could find me."

My hopes are high, but he's still looking forward and not at me.

This isn't going to go my way.

He twists his lips as he considers his words. "Look, Blondie, your offer is appreciated, but I don't need help. I can pull things around on my own."

My hope deflates like a day-old balloon. I wanted to help him, but I also wanted an excuse to spend time with him, alone.

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