“I’ll do my best.” Fuller’s voice didn’t sound nearly as confident as it had a few minutes ago.
“To get you started, I want you to think about these themes as you’re reading.” I paused and waited for Fuller to get out his laptop. “Racism and police brutality, the importance community plays in one’s upbringing, dueling identities, and racial injustice.”
His fingers moved over the keyboard painfully slowly. Waiting for him to finish, my gaze drifted to his muscular biceps. According to two sophomore girls who sat behind me at lunch, Fuller worked out constantly. He allegedly spent hours before and after school lifting weights, running, and shooting free throws. Whatever he was doing, it was obviously working.
“Okay, got it.” Fuller looked up and caught me staring. The corners of his lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything.
Heat crept up the back of my neck and pooled in my cheeks. Luckily, before I could die of embarrassment, Fuller’s phone buzzed.
He looked down to check it. He didn’t even worry that Mrs. Parsons would see him and take it away. His brazen confidence was beyond irritating.
“Okay, well, I’m going to get started on my apology note to Mr. Tillson and Miss Constance, and then I’ve got to tackle my Calculus homework. There’s really nothing more I can help you with until you do some of the reading.” I reached into my backpack and pulled out a notebook and my calculator. If I could get the letter and my homework done before the bell rang, I’d have time to go for a long run when I got home from school. After getting dragged into the principal’s office and being forced to deal with Fuller this afternoon, I’d need it to blow off some steam.
Fuller’s jaw dropped.
“What? Did you want me to sit here with you and read the book out loud?”
Recoiling, Fuller’s eyebrows knit together. “Fair enough.”
“Remember, nine chapters tonight.” I softened my tone and paused, mentally reflecting on his time-consuming workout schedule. “But, if you’re short on time or too tired, I recommend checking out the audiobook. You can listen to it on your phone or your laptop. Mrs. Parsons can help get you set up and you can start listening to it now.”
Fuller’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yeah, I listen to books all the time. Especially during training and cross-country season. Helps pass the time during long runs.” What I didn’t tell him was that I started listening to them in seventh grade, after Marissa stopped talking to me and Fuller’s nickname for me had stuck.
I escaped into those books for hours on end. Getting lost in new worlds, falling in love with shapeshifters, and wishing I could go back in time, become a vampire, or somehow magically escape into the pages.
With a fresh reminder of Fuller’s obnoxious ways, I closed my laptop and shoved it into my backpack. “Anyway, like I said, I’m going to get started on my homework. Somehow the first five problems aren’t legible anymore. They’re covered in lettuce and ranch.”
Fuller flinched. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
I didn’t respond. What could I say? It wasn’t like I forgave him. Plus, I still had to track down someone from Calculus to copy today’s notes.
“Okay, well, I’m going to go check on the audiobook situation. Thanks for telling me about that. I’m not the fastest reader. If I’m lucky, I might even be able to get a chapter in before practice.” Fuller packed up and headed over to the librarian’s desk. “See you here tomorrow?”
“All right,” I said, not looking up.
Thirty math problems and one box of grape and strawberry Nerds later, the bell rang. Glancing up, I was surprised to see Fuller still at the circular librarian’s desk. They must have been having problems with the audiobook. Normally, I would have headed over to help, but Fuller and Mrs. Parsons could figure this one out without me.
“Hey, Wren. Can we talk for a moment?”
I spun around, coming face-to-face with my uncle.
“I think you said everything you needed to in the principal’s office.” I knew I sounded disrespectful, but I was angry. If I wasn’t his niece, there’s no way I would have gotten saddled with tutoring Fuller.
“Listen, kid. I’m sorry about earlier. I know this isn’t how you want to spend your study hall, but Fuller really needs your help.” He glanced over his shoulder at Fuller and Mrs. Parsons. “If he gets kicked off the team, he can kiss any chances at a scholarship goodbye, and there’s no way we’d be able to make it back to the state championship without him. That would really hurt him and the rest of the team, too.”
I grimaced. I definitely didn’t want any of the other guys on the team to have to pay for Fuller’s bad grades. But it wasn’t my fault he’d earned them in the first place.
“Listen, I have a favor to ask.” He looked around, as if he was checking to make sure no one was listening in on our conversation.
“Another one?” I crossed my arms.
“This is the last one, I promise.” He lowered his voice. “Can you keep this whole mandatory tutoring duty and Fuller’s failing grade to yourself?”
My nose scrunched up. Why did my uncle want to keep things so hush-hush?
“The thing is, when Fuller missed a few games before, the team took a nosedive. Even though he’s a bit full of himself, the other guys really look up to him and rely on him to be their leader. If word gets out that he might not play, it could start to mess with their heads. Doubt could creep in. It could have a very negative impact on the season. Plus, the one bad grade is practically irrelevant. After working with the smartest student at Magnolia Valley High, I’m sure he’ll be back up to passing in no time.”
I slowly let out a deep breath.
“And…it would mean a lot to me.”
My heart hammered in my chest. Mean a lot to him? You know what would mean a lot to me? Never having to spend five seconds alone with Fuller James, let alone ongoing tutoring sessions! What if it takes him until graduation to boost his grade?
“It’s not like we’re friends, though. What excuse do you want me to give people to explain why we’re hanging out during study hall?”
A line formed on his forehead as he pressed his lips together. “Maybe just say that, since you’re in the same class, you’re just doing your homework together?”
“Like people will believe that,” I scoffed.
“Please, Wren.” My uncle sounded desperate.
“Fine. I’ll just tell people we’re working on our AP Lit papers because we have study hall at the same time. That’s at least partially true.” Why Fuller couldn’t just switch to regular senior Lit was beyond me. I felt a bit guilty, but it wasn’t my fault he was struggling in an AP class. I mean, I’m not good at riding a skateboard, therefore, I wouldn’t try out for the World Roller Games.