Page 8 of Tutor With Benefits

“Makes sense I guess,” she says.

“You want me to grab you something from the diner? I’ll be there in about five minutes,” I tell her. “I’m grabbing a burger and fries special.”

“Nah, that’s okay,” she tells me. “I’m going to head out here in a second. I’ll get some food where I’m going.”

“Okay,” I reply.

I don’t bother asking her where she’s heading. Anna is always either just getting back from somewhere or just about to leave again. She’s social and outgoing, never one to stay in for the night no matter what.

“So are you doing it?” she asks.

“Doing what?”

“Are you going to tutor them?”

“Fuck no!” I cry. “Are you insane?”

“Areyouinsane?” she repeats back to me, putting emphasis on theyou. “Why the fuck not?”

“First of all, how the hell am I going to tutorthreeguys—let alone three of the hottest guys in school—when I can’t even muster up the guts to speak toone?”

“Shit, Tori, you still haven’t talked to Johnny? What are you waiting for?” Anna asks. “It’s not like any guy is a mind reader. If you want to get his attention, you better dosomething.”

“I know,” I say, dragging out the second word.

And I do know. I’ve been crushing on Johnny for over a year now, and I don’t think he even knows I exist.

Which is entirely my fault, not his.

I’m the girl who is so shy I barely leave the dorm and only speak to my family, my professors, and my roommate.

“Knowing isn’t getting you anywhere with him,” Anna tells me. “Did they at least offer to pay you?”

I realize she’s talking about Zach and his friends again.

“I turned them down so fast, they didn’t have the chance to offer anything,” I say. “You know how I get when I’m in an awkward situation, which that was as soon as I realized they were there to talk to me.”

Anna laughs. “I’ve heard they all come from money in one way or another. It could have been a way for you to make some extra cash.”

“Making a complete fool out of myself?” I ask her. “No thank you.”

“How would you be making a fool out of yourself? It’s no secret you’re one of the smartest girls in school, and all you’d have to do is show them some of your secrets,” Anna tells me.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say. “I just pay attention in class and commit myself to the lessons. It’s not like it’s rocket science.”

“To jocks like them, it probably is closer to rocket science then you’d think,” Anna replies. “I’m going to put you on speaker while I touch up my makeup, can you still hear me?”

“Yeah,” I say. “But can you hear me?”

Her voice has changed now that she put me on speaker and likely put her phone on the edge of the sink so she can use both her hands. But my voice lowers when I get in line at the diner. Not only do I know it’s rude to be on the phone when I’m in public, but as I’m standing in line I just now realize that Johnny is sitting at one of the tables in the diner, surrounded by other popular kids.

He hasn’t seen me and is laughing and talking with the other kids who are at his table, and my heart flutters.

At the exact same time, my stomach ties itself into a knot, and I almost lose my appetite from the nerves I’m feeling. Part of me wishes Anna were here to say or do something that would get him to look in our direction. Another part of me is glad I have my outgoing roommate on the phone rather than in person so I can remain the wallflower I strive to be.

“Barely,” Anna tells me. “What are you doing? Being a secret agent or something?”

“No,” I tell her. “I just got into the diner, and you know it’s rude to be on the phone when you’re in public.”

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