Page 14 of The Pucking Kiss

“And what?” I replied defensively, irked by her bluntness.

I didn’t like being bad at things. In fact, it was one of the things that I hated the most. It was true that I never got good grades at school. My perfectionist tendencies told me that I should be getting straight A’s. Maybe then my parents would pay more attention to me.

“And I think that you really shouldn’t have to be dealing with those problems,” she finally turned to look at me. I could tell that she was measuring each word carefully as if not to scare me off.

“You’re being really weird. And that’s saying something for you.”

“I just think that you have a problem, and I have a solution for it.”

“Really?” I said, feeling a bit intrigued by how cryptic she was being. “Pray tell. I want to hear this brilliant solution of yours.”

“Well,” she pressed her lips together, “If you had done Mrs. Johnson’s assignment, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

“And if they didn’t assassinate Archduke Ferdinand, World War I wouldn’t have happened,” I rolled my eyes. “What’s your point?”

“Wow,” she breathed out, seeming impressed. “So you have better historical knowledge than I expected.”

“Shut up, Raggedy Romai,” I said, looking down at my watch again. “Watch your mouth. It’s not like I’m stupid.”

“I never said that you were,” she perked up instantly. “In fact, I know that you can be doing a lot better, and I’m going to help you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me right. I’m gonna help you with your grades. I know that you’ve been in a really tough spot in school lately and you could really use the help of somebody like me. I have a straight-A record, and I’m probably gonna be the Valedictorian this year. You’re not gonna get any better than me.”

As much as I hate to admit it, I did have a problem with my grades.

“Well, not everyone has the time to stay cooped up in the library like you. Some of us actually have a life.”

“I know that,” she said, “But I’m going to help you so that you can fix your grades without having to frequent the library.”

“So what?” I cocked my eyebrow in her direction, “You’re gonna do my homework for me?”

“Well, no.” She hesitated. “That’s unethical, but I can help you with your homework, and trust me. I’ve been told that I’m a really good teacher.”

“And you’re just going to do the side of the kindness of your heart? What’s the catch?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her suspiciously.

Her nervousness seemed to increase even more, and she clasped both of her hands together tightly.

“Well….”

“I don’t have all day,” I reminded her promptly, “You’re acting weirder than usual, Raggedy. I need you to just spit it out.”

“You have something I want, and I have something you want.”

“What do you have?” I snorted, “Loser disease?”

“Very funny,” she rolled her eyes. “No, I have the smarts, and you have popularity. I think we can help each other.”

I eyed her, curious now. “Oh really? You suddenly want to be popular?”

She bit her lip and decided not to give me a direct answer.

“I have an offer for you; if you choose to agree to my terms, then I will personally make sure that your grades improve by the end of the summer. You’ll get dedicated tutoring, one-on-one sessions, and everything else that you need to move ahead.”

“Is that code for saying that will you do my homework for me?”

“As I said, I will assist you.”

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