“What the fuck?” He said with alaugh andthen pulled back when he noticed that she was unamused by his outburst. “Sorry I just mean,that’scrazy. Like, crazy ina good way.”
“Mmhm. So, when can you do this?”
“What are your majors?” He asked, ignoring her question. She sighed and put her pencil down, a little annoyed.
“Journalism and English Lit. My minors are poetry and music theory.”
“Woah.”
“What?”
“So, you’re like, really smart,” he said with wide eyes.
“I like to read and write and play music.I’mnot sure if that makes me smart.”
“Are you from here?”
“No, Pennsylvania, can we please get back to the reason we’re here?” she asked with a frustrated sigh. Itwasn’tthat she was annoyed with him exactly –it'smore so that she feels flustered anddoesn’tlike it. Much to Tessa’s dismay he isvery handsome with bright eyes that shecan’ttellare green or blue. Andhe’stall, unbelievably tall, and he is carrying himself with a mixture of confidence and nervousness that ismakinghim irresistibly charming, and...okayyeah,maybeshe’sa bit annoyed.
“Sorry, you’re right,” he said, putting his hands up in defeat. “What was the question again?”
“What day are you available to meet to study?” Shesaidagain, her voice laced with frustration.
“Is your boyfriend okay with you tutoring me?”
“What?” She blurted out way louder than she had intended. “I don’t have a boyfriend, what are you even talking about?”
“Bullshit,” he said with a smile.
“Tristan please -”
“Aren’t yougoing toask if I have a girlfriend?” He teased with a cocky smirk.
“No, because I don’t care. And actually, I think I’m gonna go,” she said rolling her eyes and closing her planner.
“No no wait,” he said putting his hands up, “I’m sorry. I really appreciate your help, and Ineedyour help. I can do Thursdays after practice, around like 6?”
She sighed and sat back down, opening her planner back up. “That’susually when I do my pianolessons,but I can move that up an hour.I’llmake it work.”
“Really? Hell yeah, thanks Tess. You’re awesome.”
“Just please don’t waste my time, Tristan,” she said sincerely, her blue eyes looking straight into his, causing his heart to speed up. “I have a lot of stuff going on and I’ll be pissed if you don’t take this seriously or waste my time to be out partyingorhooking up with girls.”
“Nah I’m not like that,” he said, knowinghe’slying, but also wanting to whatever to stay on the team.
“Cool,” she gave him a small smile and started packing her things up before slinging her large bag over her shoulder. He stood up with her and shoved his hands awkwardly in the pockets of his grey sweatpants.
“So should we like exchange numbers or whatever?”
“No,” she said dryly. “I’llmeet you here Thursday at 6.”
She walked out of the room without another word, and hecouldn’thelp but smile widelytohimself. She was very pretty and smart, and seemed completely uninterested in him, whichpiquedhis interest even more. Still, he knew that therewas no way a girl like her would ever give some dumb jock like him the time of day,and alsothat he should be respectful and take this opportunity seriously. Little did he know just how serious he would become about this Tessa girl.
As much as Tessa wished this day not to come, it was now Thursday at 6pm.
She really wasn’t trying to be mean. That simply wasn’t her nature, and she really did want to help someone who needed it, she just wasn’t so sure this guy was going to take this seriously.
She had heard about him around campus here and there. He played on the football team, although she had no idea whatposition,she did know that he was a starter, which she assumed was a good thing. She also was awareofhis abilityto party extremely hard on Friday nights and still have a great game the following day.
