His face pales.
“I’m sorry. You’re not bad at algebra. That isn’t what I meant.” I should have taken another sniff of the coffee. I rest a hand on Vaughn’s arm to reassure him, but the tingling sensation has me pulling back. “This is like anything else. It’s just going to take time.”
“I don’t have time. If I fail this test…” His lips slam shut, and his throat works with a swallow.
I can feel the panic radiating off him.
“You won’t.” I touch him again, this time forcing myself to ignore whatever weird reaction my body has every time I do.
His dark blue eyes search my face. “How can you know that?”
I get the sense that he needs me to reassure him. I didn’t think he needed anyone or anything.
“I just do. You’reVaughn Collins. Stubborn, hardheaded, determined.”
The smallest smile tugs at one side of his mouth. “The way you say those things I’m not sure if you think it’s my downfall or my upside.”
“Maybe a little of both,” I admit. There’s no denying he’s good at getting the things he wants, but he’s so all-or-nothing. And theallis soccer.
“Come on. You got me out of bed, so we might as well make the most of the morning,” I grumble a little, then cover a yawn.
The tension in his body seems to relax. “It’s cute that you’re not a morning person.”
“I’m a morning person,” I counter, though my tonesuggests maybe not this morning.
We study for the next two and a half hours. It goes by in a flash, and before I know it, he’s packing up and I’m finally awake and ready to start the day.
“What are your plans today?” he asks as he zips up his backpack. He’s a little freer with his words around me. Not chatty exactly, but I’m getting more than grunts. I guess that’s progress.
“Studying for the SAT this afternoon, and then I’m not sure. You?”
“Practice. More studying.”
“If you get stuck or have any questions, text me.”
“Yeah. I will.” He glances to the empty hallway. “Are you sure your dad is in there?”
“Trust me. He can stay holed up in his office for days.”
“Does that bother you?”
“No,” I say too quickly.
Vaughn stares at me intently like he’s sure I’m going to change my answer. Sure, I’d love to spend more time with my dad, but I’m gone a lot too with school, cheerleading, and friends. He just channels all his time into work.
“It isn’t that big of a deal. When he finishes every big project, we celebrate by watching a movie or going on a day trip,” I explain.
He nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer. But even after he’s gone, I can’t stop thinking about it.
* * *
The following day, I go over to Claire’s house in the evening. I spent all day yesterday alternating between studying and working on my bucket list, and I’m finally ready to share it.
“Okay, tell me what you think.” I set the paper downin Claire’s lap and take a seat next to her on the bed. “And be quick about it because I have to meet Vaughn in twenty minutes.”
She laughs quietly and then picks up the paper. “First of all, there is now glitter all over my bed.”
“You’re welcome,” I whisper, but then brush off a little from the comforter onto the floor. Oops. I might have gotten carried away with my little project, but I like glitter, and it felt like something that needed a little extra decoration.
