Hate to Love You novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Tutor

I did not go on Saturday.

I want that on the record.

I spent Saturday morning at the hardware store with my father, helping him count paint cans, and I told myself I was building character.

"You're quiet today," Dad said.

"I'm counting."

"You counted that shelf twice."

"It's a lot of cans."

He chuckled and handed me a clipboard.

Mason was on the other side of the store pretending to restock gloves.

He kept glancing at me and looking away.

When Dad went to help a customer, my brother came over.

"You were home late yesterday."

"I was at the gym. Jess had me doing an interview."

"For the paper?"

"Yeah."

"With who?"

"A girl from the new class." It was the first lie I'd told him on purpose.

It sat on my tongue.

He nodded, and went back to the gloves.

On Monday, Shay was waiting at my desk in homeroom with a worksheet and a worried face.

"Okay, I need to confess something," he said.

"What?"

"I'm failing English."

"You've been here a week."

"I've been failing it since Eastlake. They didn't send my credits over. Something about the semester I was suspended." He dropped into his seat. "The counselor says if I don't make up the unit by October, I don't graduate."

"October of this year?"

"October of this year."

I looked at the worksheet.

It was a study guide for The Great Gatsby.

"I read it last fall," I said. "I read it in a hospital cafeteria. I can help you."

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