Ten Things

Ch.8-Better Than Slamming Doors

Cole

I made plans to approach her Monday. I was going to improvise on something, maybe ask her to dinner or whatever. But it turned out I didn’t have to.

She wasn’t in school.

I happened to know she only attended Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so regardless she should have been in. But she wasn’t.

Was I bothered by that? I shouldn’t have been. I wasn’t . . .

I refused to be.

I needed to stop. If I let my conscience have any say now I would never win the bet.

Nonetheless, it bothered me for the rest of the day, like some pesky fly buzzing around my head. I couldn’t help but wonder if her not being in school meant I still had to do the whole tutoring thing, and then I figured it couldn’t hurt to go over and see.

“Cole! Hey! Would you take one of these?”

One of the lowerclassmen cheerleaders bounced up to me, shoving a flyer under my nose. I took it from her, eyes glancing over it casually. Right. Homecoming. Who could forget? “Thanks, Trisha.”

She beamed at me having said her name. “No problem!”

I watched her skip away, practically throwing the flyers at everybody she passed. As soon as she turned the corner I crumpled it up and tossed it over my shoulder. Dances were a joke, and I only attended because Jaden begged me every year for the past three years, and the quarterback was expected to attend out of school spirit and respect.

Sounded like a bunch of bullshit to me.

I hopped on my bike, cherishing my moments with it in its current state. Because I had started feeling a little discouraged on the whole bet thing. I was sure I could do it, but Grace may have proven to be the one girl not seduced by my charms.

And that was unacceptable.

I should really have just gone home, blowing off the whole thing. I didn’t really have an explanation for why I didn’t. I just didn’t, simple as that.

I hooked my helmet on the handle of my bike and strode unsurely up the walk of her daffodil house. Her rocking chairs rocked themselves in the breeze, and it was kind of creepy, to be honest. I knocked on her door, hearing a muffled voice come from the other side. I stepped back a little. Moments later the door was opened and her lumbering father stood in the doorway. He had dark circles under his eyes and if his expression was anything to go by, my presence at his door did nothing to improve his overall mood. “Mr. Winters.”

“Hi,” I greeted, nodding. I tried looking passed his shoulder but . . . Damn, he was big. “Is Grace home?”

“Yes.”

“Can I see her?”

“No, you may not.”

“How come?”

His eyes narrowed. I got the impression he didn’t like me very much. “Grace is not feeling well, Mr. Winters.” I wished he’d just call me Cole. “I’m afraid she can’t tutor you today. Please come back tomorrow.”

“So she’ll be better tomorrow?” Why do you care, idiot? He’s giving you a freebie! Just go!

“Yes,” he said, and then added under his breath, “I hope.”

Peculiar.

“Dad? Who is it?”

The man turned slightly, barring the doorway and keeping me out of sight. “Nothing, Gracie. Go lie back down.”