Patrick shoots a tortured glance at Laura. “We’re all just friends. Nobody’s boyfriend, that’s for damn sure. We all came from Brights Grove together.”
“Wait.” Harrison’s brows shoot up. “You guys are the Brights Grove group? You won with the project called Frozen Trees , right?” He blinks, looking between us all. “That project—those photos—they’re awesome! I saw all the first-place winners on the WOA website. Really, really nice art. I was hoping to meet you guys and now”—Harrison glances at me again—”I guess I’m calling this day lucky. We need to pair up with other groups for the summer, and I’d like to pair my group—which sadly is only a group of one—with yours.” He pauses and looks only at me with those soft eyes. “If it’s okay? I had my heart completely set on you. ”
*Throat chokes with hundreds of tiny-wow butterflies. Holy cow, this guy is very, very smooth.*
I’d call out the words YES, YES, and YES if it weren’t for the fact that I’m afraid I’ll stutter like a fool.
Patrick, who is apparently not as sold as I am, answers, “Yeah. Well, maybe. Let’s see what the teachers say first. Which photos were yours?” he asks, his voice going cynical. And by his tone, he’s about to get really cranky.
“My group also did a tree project. It was called Trees of Life . You guys were branches, and I was more into the roots, actually. And…of course we can wait if you want. I just thought I’d try to lock you down before anyone else does.” Harrison’s smile fades. “Because my group only took second for the Toronto area groups, only one of us got the scholarship to come here. They only posted the winners from each province, and since we’re both Ontario…you know. The better ones got featured. And congratulations on the overall win, by the way. Must be cool to come here with your best friends.”
“Wow.” Laura grins. “Lord, but aren’t we famous!”
At this point, I’m feeling sorry for Harrison because I think he thinks Patrick might not believe he’s good enough to work with us. “I’d love to see your trees. If it seems we mesh, I don’t see why you can’t work with us, seeing as we are one man down. If you have copies of your shots with you in your dorm room, I’d love to see them before classes start Monday. You know. Tomorrow. Or later tonight.”
*Slaps head. Cries: Awkward moment. Does it seem like I’m hitting on him?*
Patrick, Laura, and even Harrison are blinking at me strangely.
And as I play back what I’ve said, I realize it sounds like I’m trying to invite myself to his room. Alone. And possibly for the entire weekend!
*Slaps head again. Cries: Even bigger awkward moment.*
Laura saves me by calling out way too loudly, “Oh yeah, laddie. Me too. I’m a huge tree—root—fanatic. Huge. You’ll have to show us both as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” He’s flipped into copying Laura’s accent perfectly. “Wee -cute-lassies and pretty, big-eyed tree lovers are always welcome. Anytime. Hopefully you’ll like my stuff enough to convince this one”—he nods to Patrick—”to sign me on.” Harrison raises that one wicked, overly suggestive brow only to me again. “Like I told you, I’m room number 199.”
*Thinks: 199 rhymes with fine, divine, shine and mine…*
“Dude.” Patrick shakes his head, his voice still slightly on edge, but I can tell by his expression he also feels bad for making Harrison feel alienated. “Before you shackle yourself to one of these two crazies, the real hot girls with the more exotic accents are located on the third floor. So far I’ve met three from Paris and two from London. And you should see the shoes those French girls are wearing. So much sexy bonjour-ing going on up there. One of them invited me to a party with some of her friends tonight. Apparently she’s also got a no-show roommate. She said I could bring a friend, and I don’t really want to show up with any
“Wait.” Harrison’s brows shoot up. “You guys are the Brights Grove group? You won with the project called Frozen Trees , right?” He blinks, looking between us all. “That project—those photos—they’re awesome! I saw all the first-place winners on the WOA website. Really, really nice art. I was hoping to meet you guys and now”—Harrison glances at me again—”I guess I’m calling this day lucky. We need to pair up with other groups for the summer, and I’d like to pair my group—which sadly is only a group of one—with yours.” He pauses and looks only at me with those soft eyes. “If it’s okay? I had my heart completely set on you. ”
*Throat chokes with hundreds of tiny-wow butterflies. Holy cow, this guy is very, very smooth.*
I’d call out the words YES, YES, and YES if it weren’t for the fact that I’m afraid I’ll stutter like a fool.
Patrick, who is apparently not as sold as I am, answers, “Yeah. Well, maybe. Let’s see what the teachers say first. Which photos were yours?” he asks, his voice going cynical. And by his tone, he’s about to get really cranky.
“My group also did a tree project. It was called Trees of Life . You guys were branches, and I was more into the roots, actually. And…of course we can wait if you want. I just thought I’d try to lock you down before anyone else does.” Harrison’s smile fades. “Because my group only took second for the Toronto area groups, only one of us got the scholarship to come here. They only posted the winners from each province, and since we’re both Ontario…you know. The better ones got featured. And congratulations on the overall win, by the way. Must be cool to come here with your best friends.”
“Wow.” Laura grins. “Lord, but aren’t we famous!”
At this point, I’m feeling sorry for Harrison because I think he thinks Patrick might not believe he’s good enough to work with us. “I’d love to see your trees. If it seems we mesh, I don’t see why you can’t work with us, seeing as we are one man down. If you have copies of your shots with you in your dorm room, I’d love to see them before classes start Monday. You know. Tomorrow. Or later tonight.”
*Slaps head. Cries: Awkward moment. Does it seem like I’m hitting on him?*
Patrick, Laura, and even Harrison are blinking at me strangely.
And as I play back what I’ve said, I realize it sounds like I’m trying to invite myself to his room. Alone. And possibly for the entire weekend!
*Slaps head again. Cries: Even bigger awkward moment.*
Laura saves me by calling out way too loudly, “Oh yeah, laddie. Me too. I’m a huge tree—root—fanatic. Huge. You’ll have to show us both as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” He’s flipped into copying Laura’s accent perfectly. “Wee -cute-lassies and pretty, big-eyed tree lovers are always welcome. Anytime. Hopefully you’ll like my stuff enough to convince this one”—he nods to Patrick—”to sign me on.” Harrison raises that one wicked, overly suggestive brow only to me again. “Like I told you, I’m room number 199.”
*Thinks: 199 rhymes with fine, divine, shine and mine…*
“Dude.” Patrick shakes his head, his voice still slightly on edge, but I can tell by his expression he also feels bad for making Harrison feel alienated. “Before you shackle yourself to one of these two crazies, the real hot girls with the more exotic accents are located on the third floor. So far I’ve met three from Paris and two from London. And you should see the shoes those French girls are wearing. So much sexy bonjour-ing going on up there. One of them invited me to a party with some of her friends tonight. Apparently she’s also got a no-show roommate. She said I could bring a friend, and I don’t really want to show up with any
Similar Books
