Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
But that doesn’t make Jessica any less of a friend. She’s the best. Jessica always listens to my problems and helps me come up with solutions. She’s also always excited for her friends’ accomplishments and threatens to beat up anyone who hurts us. I’m lucky to have her in my life, even if she’s a bit high maintenance when it comes to school.
“At least history is slightly easier than math. I can’t figure out these equations.”
“You know, you could borrow Josh if you wanted.”
“I’m not going to use your tutor to help me with math.”
Jessica shrugs. “Why not? He’s being paid enough; he wouldn’t mind.”
“I’d rather figure it out on my own.”
“Fine, suit yourself. A tutor is a lifesaver, though. I wouldn’t be passing any of my classes without him.”
“I’m glad he’s helping you. I think one-on-one tutoring would stress me out too much, though.”
“I get that. You hate the attention being all on you. I forgot.”
“Exactly. But hey, it’s perfect for you since you’re an attention whore.”
Jessica laughs and hits me with my pillow. “That was mean!”
“Are you telling me it’s not true?”
“Oh, it’s totally true. I thrive on attention.”
“That’s probably why we’re best friends. You love attention, so you keep everyone focused on you.”
She throws an arm around my shoulders. “I knew we were friends for a reason.”
We continue to laugh and chat as we pretend to get our work done. After about an hour of this, Jessica’s face lights up.
“Hey! I’ve been meaning to ask you. Did you ever go to office hours?”
“For math?”
“No, silly. For English! About your paper!”
I bite my lip. I’ve been avoiding Jessica for the last week, just so she wouldn’t ask me about office hours. Until tonight, it’s been easy to stay away from her since we’re both usually busy with class. I was hoping she’d forgotten about her plan.
“I did,” I admit. “I went to see Professor Boynton last week. We had a long talk about my paper. It went well.”
I turn my attention back to my textbook, but Jessica isn’t going to let it go that easily.
“Did he agree to change your grade?”
“No, but he did show me why I earned that grade. I agree with his critiques. My next paper will be better.”
“Oh, well...that’s good. I’m sorry you have to live with a B, though.”
“It’s okay. I’ll survive.”
“At least you got some alone time with Professor Boynton. He’s so hot! It’s like torture, sitting in class with him teaching. I don’t know how anyone pays attention.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.”
My mind is back in the office with John and Mark. Of course Jessica thinks our professor is attractive. It gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that he chose me and not her.
Then again, maybe I was chosen out of convenience. Jessica has never gone to this professor’s office hours. If she had gone before me, would she be the one in a bisexual threesome with John and Mark right now?
I don’t want to think about that. They chose me. It doesn’t matter why. I’m the one they want to have a relationship with, not Jessica.
“You know, I heard Professor Boynton is divorced.”
My eyes shoot to Jessica. “Wait, really? How’d you find this out?”
She laughs. “Please. You know I have my ways. He’s been divorced for a while now, and he hasn’t been in a public relationship since.”
I have a pretty good idea as to why since for the last year, he’s been dating his TA. But that’s not something you publicize if you want to keep your job.
“I didn’t know he was divorced,” I reply.
“It’s surprising. With that gorgeous black hair, I don’t know why any woman would let him go. I guess she didn’t know how lucky she was.”
“That’s for sure. If I were married to him, I definitely wouldn’t divorce him.”
Jessica’s eyes widen. “Hey, you should get to know him better.”
“Wait, what?”
“It’s perfect! He’s divorced and apparently single. You think he’s hot. He’s the weird artsy hipster type of guy that you like. It wouldn’t hurt to flirt with him a bit.”
My heart is racing. Why did Jessica have to go there? I swore I wouldn’t tell anyone what happened between me and the guys. Now, it’s on the tip of my tongue, dying to escape.
Jessica is my best friend. If I tell her not to tell anyone, she won’t. She’s terrible at keeping secrets, but she’s also a great friend. She’ll be able to bite her tongue.
I hope.
I bite the inside of my cheek. What if Mark and John find out I spilled the beans? They’ll be furious. It could put all of us at risk.
“I have to tell you something.”
The words spill out before I can stop them. I don’t care if the guys get mad. I can’t keep this a secret forever.
“What?”
“That day that I went to office hours, Professor Boynton was there with the TA for our class.”