Gangbanger Study-Buddy

Nicknames and Questions

"Now you need to put all of your numbers to the other side so you can solve for x," I say looking over at Dante who was too busy picking off the eraser on his pencil to notice.

These people were all the same. Every 'student' here has some kind of criminal record, addiction or chip on their shoulder. Unfortunately, I got stuck with the one with a badass complex and short attention span.

Great.

"Disappointed?"

I look up from the spot on the table I was previously focused on to Dante's awaiting gaze.

"What?" I ask feeling a blush creep up my neck.

He rests a hand against his cheek. "You know, that you got stuck with having to tutor me. It's not that hard to tell. The look you had on your face is the same look I get from everyone else who has had to be in contact with me for more than 3 minutes. It also helps when your face is like an open book: easy to read and boring."

A gasp escapes my throat. I know I'm not the most attractive female to ever walk the planet but that doesn't mean he has to point it out. Yes, I wear thick glasses too big for my face. Yes, I have curly hair that frizzes. Yes, I get the occasional pimple but I can't be that bad looking. As I look up at the Devil I see a smirk gracing his face.

"You act as if you're God's gift to the world, when really you're not even that attractive," I say but I instantly regret it when his eyes darken. I know I shouldn't have said anything but he went too far. No one can insult my looks but me.

He narrows his eyes and leans across the table, getting way too close for my comfort. "I act like I am because I am, little mouse. If anything you should be overjoyed that I'm even sitting within fifty feet of you," he breathes against my ear. Ever so slowly he returns to his original position in his chair, allowing me to catch my breath.

"Don't call me mouse," I growl with untapped anger.What is it about this guy that makes me snappy? I usually never speak against bullies and that's exactly what he is, a bully.

"Then what will I call you? Sweetheart? Cupcake? Baby? Dove? Oh! How about Pop-Tart?" My eyes widen as his fill with mischief. This boy is going to be more than I can handle.

I focus on all that is good in order to attempt at steadying my voice, but even then it still comes out a little shaky as I say "No." His face only brightens when he hears me.

"What was that, Pop-Tart?" I sigh, It's no use. Evil people like him only hear what they want to hear and fill the rest in for their own benefit.

I, for one, just want this day to be over so I can go home and mourn for the days when I didn't have to waste my time on a narcissistic asshole.

I decide to leave my pity party early and suck it up. Reaching for the Algebra textbook, I look up at Dante and narrow my eyes. He wants to mess with me? Fine. But that doesn't mean I have to pay attention to it.

I expect Dante to continue picking at his eraser but instead his attention is focused on a table at the other side of the room. My eyes fall on Molly Chambers, who I'm guessing is one of the tutors since she's my biggest competitor for valedictorian. She's a really sweet girl but unlike me, she is popular among the school. Across from her sits a guy wearing a form fitting black T-shirt that shows off the muscles on his arms. His light blonde hair is pulled back into a small ponytail at the back of his head. Much like most of the teenagers forced to waste their summer here, he has a bored expression on his face as Molly explained something animately. All in all he's pretty attractive.

I look back over at Dante and see his jaw tighten as a frustrated look crosses his face before he quickly turns back to his forgotten eraser. Is he looking at Molly? But that doesn't explain the look of frustration. I've never seen Dante at the school before so I doubt he even knows her.