Lebanon, Tennessee. He’s doing all the talking, and I’m grateful. The pizza rolls aren’t settling well in my stomach.
After we purchase the tickets, Daniel gets some popcorn and a drink, and we find a seat. Since it’s Tuesday, the theater is only half full. We’re early enough that we have a few minutes before the movie starts.
Daniel takes a handful of popcorn. “So are you still tutoring Tucker Price?”
My breath catches. I really don’t want to get into this with Daniel. “Yeah.”
“That must be a bitch.”
My mouth parts and I gasp at his rudeness. “It’s against the rules and unethical to discuss the people I tutor.”
He scoffs. “Come on. Price lives his entire life seeking attention. You can’t tell me that he doesn’t expect you to talk about it. Hell, I’m surprised he hasn’t begged you to.”
Tucker may live an attention-seeking life, but that’s not the Tucker I see. I refuse to share details of our time together. The Tucker I know seems vulnerable. I almost laugh at the thought, but I still feel protective of him. “It doesn’t matter whether he wants me to talk about it or not. I’m not going to.”
Daniel leans back and views me through narrowed eyes. “Don’t tell me you have a thing for him. I thought you were different than every other girl at this school.”
The blood in my veins catches fire, and I have trouble catching my breath. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
He shakes his head. “That doesn’t prove anything. It’s not like he’s going to ask you out. You’re not his type.”
His insult is clear. I’m not good enough to garner the attention of Tucker Price. I wonder what he’d say if he knew that Tucker had come over to my apartment the night I met Daniel and that Tucker spent the night in my bed. But the truth is he’s right. Tucker will screw every other girl on campus, but he’s not interested in me.
Daniel quickly realizes what he’s said and panic spreads across his face. “That didn’t come out right.”
I clench my teeth to stop my chin from quivering. His statement has hit too close to home.
He leans closer and takes my hand in his. “Scarlett, I swear that came out wrong. I just meant that he usually goes out with girls who are loud, obnoxious, and flashy.”
I agree with his assessment, but I’m still hurt and consider leaving.
“Scarlett, I’m sorry. Price and I have history, and I took it out on you. It wasn’t fair.”
The lights dim and the previews start before I can answer. I’m angry with myself when tears sting my eyes. The fact remains that Daniel’s telling the truth. I’m not Tucker’s type, and Tucker has made it painfully clear he isn’t interested in me. Nevertheless, while I like Tucker, it’s not for the reasons every other girl on campus does.
I like him for the person he lets me see and doesn’t share with anyone else.
That thought is what keeps my butt glued to my seat, and my hand in Daniel’s firm grip. That thought is more dangerous than anything Daniel might inadvertently say to me, because that thought encourages me to hope for things out of my reach.
I try to pay attention to the movie, but I can’t focus when I’m concentrating on not hyperventilating. I start reciting prime numbers up to seven hundred and forty-three in my head, then move on to square roots with rational numbers. Old soothing habits I picked up in middle school. When one of Momma’s boyfriends lived with us for two years of hell filled with drinking, smoking, loud arguments, and police visits every time he resorted to taking his frustration out on Momma with his fists.
When the movie’s over, I’m exhausted in every way—physically, emotionally and mentally. Daniel wants to stop and get something to eat, but I can’t do it. I can’t fulfill this social role a minute longer than I have to.
Daniel pulls into the parking lot of my apartment complex. I open the door before he has the engine turned
After we purchase the tickets, Daniel gets some popcorn and a drink, and we find a seat. Since it’s Tuesday, the theater is only half full. We’re early enough that we have a few minutes before the movie starts.
Daniel takes a handful of popcorn. “So are you still tutoring Tucker Price?”
My breath catches. I really don’t want to get into this with Daniel. “Yeah.”
“That must be a bitch.”
My mouth parts and I gasp at his rudeness. “It’s against the rules and unethical to discuss the people I tutor.”
He scoffs. “Come on. Price lives his entire life seeking attention. You can’t tell me that he doesn’t expect you to talk about it. Hell, I’m surprised he hasn’t begged you to.”
Tucker may live an attention-seeking life, but that’s not the Tucker I see. I refuse to share details of our time together. The Tucker I know seems vulnerable. I almost laugh at the thought, but I still feel protective of him. “It doesn’t matter whether he wants me to talk about it or not. I’m not going to.”
Daniel leans back and views me through narrowed eyes. “Don’t tell me you have a thing for him. I thought you were different than every other girl at this school.”
The blood in my veins catches fire, and I have trouble catching my breath. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
He shakes his head. “That doesn’t prove anything. It’s not like he’s going to ask you out. You’re not his type.”
His insult is clear. I’m not good enough to garner the attention of Tucker Price. I wonder what he’d say if he knew that Tucker had come over to my apartment the night I met Daniel and that Tucker spent the night in my bed. But the truth is he’s right. Tucker will screw every other girl on campus, but he’s not interested in me.
Daniel quickly realizes what he’s said and panic spreads across his face. “That didn’t come out right.”
I clench my teeth to stop my chin from quivering. His statement has hit too close to home.
He leans closer and takes my hand in his. “Scarlett, I swear that came out wrong. I just meant that he usually goes out with girls who are loud, obnoxious, and flashy.”
I agree with his assessment, but I’m still hurt and consider leaving.
“Scarlett, I’m sorry. Price and I have history, and I took it out on you. It wasn’t fair.”
The lights dim and the previews start before I can answer. I’m angry with myself when tears sting my eyes. The fact remains that Daniel’s telling the truth. I’m not Tucker’s type, and Tucker has made it painfully clear he isn’t interested in me. Nevertheless, while I like Tucker, it’s not for the reasons every other girl on campus does.
I like him for the person he lets me see and doesn’t share with anyone else.
That thought is what keeps my butt glued to my seat, and my hand in Daniel’s firm grip. That thought is more dangerous than anything Daniel might inadvertently say to me, because that thought encourages me to hope for things out of my reach.
I try to pay attention to the movie, but I can’t focus when I’m concentrating on not hyperventilating. I start reciting prime numbers up to seven hundred and forty-three in my head, then move on to square roots with rational numbers. Old soothing habits I picked up in middle school. When one of Momma’s boyfriends lived with us for two years of hell filled with drinking, smoking, loud arguments, and police visits every time he resorted to taking his frustration out on Momma with his fists.
When the movie’s over, I’m exhausted in every way—physically, emotionally and mentally. Daniel wants to stop and get something to eat, but I can’t do it. I can’t fulfill this social role a minute longer than I have to.
Daniel pulls into the parking lot of my apartment complex. I open the door before he has the engine turned
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