“I didn’t even know you could still enroll this late in the semester.”
“Professor East pulled some strings.”
“Well, if agreeing to let you tutor me means you have to sit through classes that will probably be super boring for you, how could I say no?” I wasn’t trying to be rude or snarky, but I really couldn’t imagine why Callan would take the time to tutor me. Any number of students could do that. He must have had some ulterior motive. Besides, did I really want him to see how truly bad I was at anything to do with numbers or equations?
Callan hefted out a large book from his backpack, and from the corner of my eye, I recognized the math text we were using for the class. He glanced up at the board then flicked to the page number that was listed there.
“I have the patience of the trees, remember? Now, drink up, local. Caffeine is going to be your friend this semester.”
I frowned and flipped my textbook to the same page and tried to suppress a sigh. The patience of trees. Well, with my math skills, he was going to need it.
It wasn’t until class had started and we were forced to be quiet that I realized he’d called me “local” like he had in the woods at the beginning of summer. All this time, I’d been wondering if he remembered, and if so, why he seemingly hadn’t said anything to Professor East about it.
But based on his tiny smirk, I was pretty sure I had the answer to one of those questions. He remembered.
Maci was waitingfor me when I emerged from math forty-five minutes later. From the corner of my eye, I could see her studying us with interest as Callan said goodbye.
“Professor East gave me a copy of your schedule,” Callan said. “I’ve got to get back to Evergreen for a few hours, but I’ll be available this evening after our classes. Do you prefer to study there or here?”
I leaned back slightly, surprised that he was giving me an option and that we were getting started so soon. The answer was out of my mouth in seconds. “There.”
Callan nodded. “See you then.”
“Hope your patience is still holding up because you’re going to need a lot of it to tutor me.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at Callan’s mouth. “Patience of the trees.” He turned and walked away.
“Who was that gorgeous guy you were talking to?” Maci asked when I joined her.
“Just someone from my math class.”
“It seemed like things were a little charged between you two.”
“He’s tutoring me, apparently.”
“He works at the tutoring center?” I could see the gears in Maci’s brain working in overdrive, wondering why she’d never seen him there.
“Not exactly. It’s a private tutoring arrangement.”
“Wow, I’m impressed that you’re taking your grades so seriously.” She gave me a high five. “Does hetutor for calc? He looks like he’d be more fun to work with than my current tutor.”
“I think you’re out of luck. I’m not sure that tutoring is usually his thing.” I paused. “He actually attends Evergreen Academy with me.”
Maci’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you lead with that? He’s the first person I’ve seen from that mysterious academy, besides you. You should introduce me.”
I squeezed my fingers more tightly around the cup Callan had brought me, which I’d nearly finished. Callan’s presence on campus was going to make it more difficult to fend off Maci’s questions about Evergreen Academy.
“We’re not friends or anything like that. He’s just super smart, and they asked him to tutor me on some of the basics, since I’m, well, not doing so well in their classes.”
Maci frowned. “You’re not? What kind of classes are they?”
I stiffened, chastising myself for my slip. “It’s mostly high-level science stuff. Way out of my wheelhouse. He’s helping me with math.”
“Well, don’t stress yourself out about it. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Just give it time.”
I forced a smile and tried to relax. “Thanks, Mace. Math and science just aren’t my strong suits. I’m going to have to work hard to keep up.”
Maci pursed her lips. I knew she was still confused about why I’d been selected for the “research project” in the first place, but she was too cognizant of my feelings to ask a second time. My flimsy explanation about Evergreen Academy being interested in my artistic skills was the best she was going to get.
