“Sorry,” I say, running a hand through my hair.
Could this morning get any worse?
“If you find working with me difficult, I’ll request Professor Dunn reassign you.”
Penelope shakes her head and lets out a dry laugh, exposing her tongue piercing.
“Exactly my point.”
Her eyes lock on mine. I’m shocked at their dark brown colour, surrounded by thick black lashes. Her makeup does little to hide them. If anything, it accentuates them. It’s then I realise Penelope is tall. Not as tall as me, but taller than the average girl. She’s closer to Jaxson’s height.
She folds her arms over her chest. It’s rare for me to be around a woman I don’t have to look down on, especially when she’s only six inches shorter than me.
“I ask, and I’m told I have to live with it. You ask, and I’ll be reassigned. Some of us are here to work, Mr Frazer. I need this degree. I don’t need to be carrying people who’re only here for the experience.”
I almost take a step back at the venom in her tone.
“I see you and your friends partying. You rock into class half asleep...”
My annoyance rises. How dare she? She doesn’t know me. She’s slinging mud when she has no idea.
“Get your facts straight,” I hiss. “As for rocking up to class half asleep. That’s not the case. I’m at the pool every morning at five AM, training. I swim at a national level and I’m hopingto qualify for the Olympic team in two years. Believe me, that lifestyle excludes partying and drinking.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, wondering why the hell I’m standing here explaining myself.
Then I remember.
I need her.
“Look, I may appear half asleep, but one hundred lengths in a hot chlorinated environment has its effect.”
I watch as the woman in front of me shrinks and realise I don’t like it.
“Oh,” she says.
“Yes. Oh,” I say, letting the silence between us stretch. “But I can promise you. I’m here to work.”
“Fine. But I will not carry your sorry ass. If we’re partners, then it’s an even share,” she says suddenly, making me want to smile.
“Deal,” I say, holding out a hand. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I tell her truthfully.
She looks at my outstretched palm and shakes her head.
“Fine. Write your initial thoughts on the assignment, and we can discuss it in our next class,” she says, picking up her laptop.
“Why wait?” I ask. “Two days, and we can get ahead. I hate putting things off.”
She looks at me and inclines her head. A small smile playing at the edge of her mouth.
“Done.”
She returns her laptop to the table and holds out her hand.
I raise an eyebrow until I realise she wants my phone. I hand it over to her after I unlock it. She tuts but says nothing. Instead, she inputs her number and saves it, handing it back to me.
“Tomorrow morning. Meet me in the library, first period. Message me when you’re ready.”
“I will.”
