“I was really impressed, Ellie. Really impressed. I know you struggled at the beginning of the semester, but you turned itaround. I’m sorry that I underestimated you before.”
My eyes widen and Dev’s do the same. “That’s... no problem at all, Dr. Allen. Thank you.”
“Well, your principal at Waterford Valley asked us to look out for exemplary students that we could recommend as tutors at your high school. I already have a few names in mind, but I’d like to add you to the list. I think your struggles and successes in the class could be inspiring to other students who are intimidated by chemistry.”
My eyes bulge out.Me?Be achemistrytutor? I almost turn around to make sure this isn’t another Andy situation and Dr. Allen isn’t talking to a different Ellie standing right behind me.
“Um...”
There’s no way I’m doing that. I can’t possibly be a tutor. I’m barely holding my own in this class. I only worked so hard on that presentation out of spite. I look to Dev and he gives me a subtle thumbs-up.
“Well, I mean, thank you. That’s really amazing to hear. But, um, I don’t think it’s a good idea right now.”
Dr. Allen cocks her head. “You know the tutors are paid, don’t you? And it’s always a good addition to your college résumé.”
“Oh, right... but no thanks. I think it’s just too much to take on senior year.”
“Hmm, okay.” She frowns. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
She walks away and I give acan-you-believe-thatlook to Dev as we walk into the cafeteria. “Has she lost her mind?”
“Haveyou?” he asks. “Why didn’t you say yes?”
“Because it’s chemistry, Dev! I hate chemistry. I can’t imagine how much work it would be to tutor other people in it when I’m drowning already.”
Dev mumbles something, but I don’t respond. I have no interest in getting into a debate about this. I mean, it’s a huge compliment that she’d think of me as a possible tutor. I can’t believe all my work has actually paid off. Maybe, if I really dedicated myself, I could keep it up next semester at Waterford. Or even in college eventually. But that doesn’t mean I want to dedicate myself tochemistry. Life’s too short for that.
Once I’ve grabbed a slice of pizza, I sit down at our usual cafeteria table for dinner. Sam and Kelly sit farther down the same table. They aren’t officially unwelcome—Kelly’s pretty nice actually—but Sam has kept his distance since the incident last Monday.
Huan is looking at photos on his phone and I lean over his shoulder to see. “Wow, that’s gorgeous!” He hands it to me and I find more postcard-perfect pictures of Oxford University. “Did you get to take a tour?”
“Frank offered since he knows some people there, but I didn’t want to spend the whole day thinking about college.” He shakes his head wistfully. “Though Oxford is really amazing.”
“Is it too late to apply for next year?” I ask.
“Um, I don’t know. I hadn’t really—”
“Yeah. The deadline was October fifteenth,” Sage says as if it’s not weird to have university application dates memorized.
Huan’s shoulders sag a bit.
“Well, there’s always the following year.” I nudge him. “In the meantime you can just enjoy hanging out with yourboyfriend.”
“Oh, you made it official?” Sage asks.
He perks up. “Just this weekend. But Frank’s been trying to convince me since he came for the cricket match.”
“I’m glad you finally listened to reason,” I reply. “But if you guys didn’t spend the day in OxfordatOxford, where did you go?”
“Keep swiping,” he replies with a chuckle.
Dev leans closer to the screen. When I move to the next photo, we both pull back and laugh at the same moment.
“Seriously, man?” Dev says.
“What?” Kelly asks loudly from the end of the table.
I hold up the phone.
