Page 52 of More Than Chemical
“Yeah, you sound like a civil, not the material science engineer you want to be.”
“Speaking of engineering,” he said, “we should compare our physics homework.”
I nodded, and we exchanged our problems. I sat down at my desk and glanced over his. We had the same answer. We even showed the same work to get there. My arms felt light and airy. I was getting this. I was doing better.Dean’s list, here I come.
Jay let out a low whistle. “Wow, Ade. Looking good.”
We returned our homework to each other, and Jay moved to the saucer chair.
“So about last night…” Jay folded his arms. “I just want you to know that I’m sorry I got caught up in Emma’s little freak-out.”
I breathed in and sighed. “It’s okay.”
“Really?” He tilted his head. “You seemed pretty upset, especially when she told everyone that you’re a…a…”
“Virgin?”
“Yeah.”
“You can say it, Jay. Vir-gin. It’s not a hard word to pronounce.”
“I know how to say it.” He looked at the floor. “I just want you to know thatIknow that Emma was rude, and I’m sorry for any part I had in that.”
“Are you a virgin, Jay?”
He glanced up. “Huh?”
“Are you a virgin too?”
He frowned.
Ha! I wasn’t alone in this.
But then my neck tightened. He thought guys were hot, and he was still a virgin. Could he be closeted?
“You know what?” I felt bad for pressing him. “Don’t answer that. I don’t need to know.”
Jay exhaled.
“What I do want you to know is that your apology is accepted.”
“Good.” He smiled slowly. “Thank you.”
“So…moving on.” I went to my closet, took off my jacket, and hung it up. “I need you to help me with something.”
I looked down at myself. I still had on my low-cut shirt. I glanced behind me, at the top of Jay’s head. It peeked out above the back of the chair. This shirt might be a good test for Jay. What kind of guy type was he? Did he think girls could be hot too?
“If it has to do with Dallas,” he said, “I don’t want to be involved.”
“No, of course not.” I stepped in front of him, my shoulders pulled back.
“Okay. Shoot.” But Jay had laid his head back, and his eyes were closed.
Come on, Jay. Open them.
But he didn’t move. He appeared to be content as he was.
“I need help with my grades.” I paused, waiting for him to sit up and pay attention.
