I shrug. "Um... I don't know, I didn't think you'd want to, you know, tutor me." I tuck my hair behind my ear and look down. This is awkward. Everything about me is awkward.
"Andwhywouldn't I want to tutor you, Rory?" His question is an earnest one and I blink back at him, confused.
"Well, you've been ignoring me, so I just figured..." I trail off. He's looking at me like my words are irritating him. I'm trying to give him an out from doing something I'm sure he doesn't want to do, so why that would bug him, I can't imagine.
"You can't be serious."
When I just continue to blink at him he continues.
"Rory I haven't been ignoring you, I just backed off because I thought that's what you wanted."
"What I wanted?"
"Well you did say we couldn't be friends. And I thought... I don't know, I thought we were becoming friends anyway, at Andrew's party last week, but then you told Chelsea you didn't evenknowme. If anything,you'rethe one blowingmeoff." He shrugs. "It seems like you have a lot on your plate, I didn't think adding a stalker who couldn't take a hint would be very expedient, so I backed off."
You seem like you have a lot on your plate.It's his nice way of saying I'm batshit crazy.
Butdamn, he was trying to be respectful by giving up on thisfriendsthing. And I've been stressing about it, though I didn't want to admit it to myself. God, I just can't get it together - first I ask him to leave me alone, then I'm upset when he does. I suppose the concept of a man respecting my wishes, taking me at my word... these are completely novel to me. And how fucked up is that?
"Oh," I whisper.
"I'm not ignoring you," he repeats.
I can't help my shy smile, and I don't even know where it's come from. Ineversmile. Not unless it's forced.
"So can I tutor you? I could really use the extra credit."
I snort."Please,"I say sarcastically, "you don't need any extra credit in calc." I've seen his test scores. He knows his shit.
"I do, actually. My tests are fine, but Mr. Frank and I don't exactly see eye to eye on homework. You see, I don't like to waste my time doing it since I know the coursework, and Mr. Frank won't give me my A if I don't student tutor to make up for not turning any of it in last semester."
"And God forbid you were to earn a B," I tease.
He narrows his eyes at me and smirks again. "God forbid," he agrees.
"Well I guess I can't very well be responsible for letting you mar your perfect academic record," I shrug, wondering where I've pulled this wit out from.
Sam grins.
"Do you think you could help me before Monday's quiz? I'm totally lost," I admit.
"Sure, how's right now?"
"Perfect."
Sam starts walking down the hall and I follow.
"Should we go to your house?" he asks.
I startle, though I try to hide it. "My mom's not home," I reply.
He furrows his brow.God,I wish he wouldn't do that, I don't know why but it's just adorable when he does it.
When I realize he's confused, I elaborate. "I, um, I'm not allowed to have guys over when I'm alone," I lie. In fact, my mother and I have never discussed this - there hasn't been a need since I have no plans to put myself in such a position any time soon. Though, I'm sure she'd agree this rule is a good idea.
Sam looks skeptical. Obviously this isn't exactly par for the course for a normal eighteen year old, but he should already know that that isn't what I am. "What about your dad?" he asks. We're still walking, and I know he's glanced over at me, but I just continue to look down so he doesn't see how affected I am by his seemingly innocuous line of questioning.
"No Dad," I murmur as casually as I can manage.
