Page 79 of Tutoring the Bad Boy
“Have you watched the movie yet?” she asks.
10 Things I Hate About You.“Yeah.” I didn’t hate it like I thought I would either. Actually, it was pretty funny, which surprised me sinceOthelloisn’t funny at all. “I really liked it.”
Her lips turn down even further if that’s possible, and she works her jaw. “Right.”
The last movie I liked that she’s aware of is the movie on the beach. I liked that one too. If my thoughts are floating back to that, I can only imagine what she’s thinking since I also lied about that to her mom.
The hour I spend with Ginny is torture. I can’t talk to her about anything other than the play or the movie. There are only so many things you can say about two topics. Honestly, by the time we’re packing up, I’m glad. With the tension as thick as it is, I need fresh air.
Over the next week, there are no changes. Ginny is cold and distant. I’m miserable and hopeless. If she even thinks I might possibly say anything, she glares at me until I want to yelp and run from the library.
We end up performing our scene during my class period. It’s not even close to great, and while I’m glad we won’t be performing it in front of the school, I do worry it’ll affect our grades.
The bell rang five minutes ago, but I’m still slouched in my seat as the last student files out the door. I’m staring at the sheet I used to memorize my lines. We chose one of the milder, popular scenes where Kat is in a verbal battle with Patrick. If Ginny hadn’t been so stiff that she resembled a concrete slab, the scene might have actually been as funny as the real thing.
“Mr. Quinn, is there something I can help you with?” Mrs. Yates asks.
With a shrug, I stuff all the junk on my desk into my bag. “I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure?” she asks. I’m not surprised since there was no conviction in my voice.
“No.”
A light laugh comes from her. “Want to talk about it?” She stands from her chair and takes the desk in front of mine, sitting sideways so we’re face to face.
My brain says,No, but then what flows from my mouth is my heart: “Yes.” For a split second, I sit there stunned, and then I pour my heart out.
I only thought my situation was bleak until I said something. It’s worse now. There is no way Ginny is ever going to forgive me. I don’t even know why I thought she would. If the roles were reversed, I’d certainly never speak to me again.
Mrs. Yates takes a deep breath. “Oh, to be young and in love.”
“Past tense.”
“I don’t think so, Kaleb. The line between love and hate is microscopic. If she didn’t have feelings for you, there wouldn’t be so much animosity.”
My emotions are all jumbled. “I don’t know, Mrs. Yates. You saw her today, right? She’s so…”
“Heartbroken and desperately trying not to be.” Mrs. Yates smiles. Her head tilts a fraction. I’ve seen that look in her eyes before. Her sleeve is ten miles long, and she’s about to pull something out of it. “I have an idea.”
“Uh, you do?” It comes out skeptical because I am.
She stands and walks back to her desk. “Good news, Mr. Quinn. You and Ginny have performed well enough to be in the showcase that’s two days from now.”
“Um, what? No, we didn’t.”
“Are you questioning my authority in this class?” Her voice isn’t harsh. There’s laughter in it.
“No, but—”
“Mr. Quinn, we’ve been studying Shakespeare all year long. I’m sure you’re bright enough to figure out something that can win the hand of fair Juliet.”
“What are you saying?”
A bark of laughter comes from her as she shakes her head and groans. “Kaleb, use that big brain of yours and come up with something to win Ginny’s heart back.”
Win her back? How on earth…
I lock eyes with Mrs. Yates and grin.
