The Tutor (BOOK 2: OMEN KING SERIES)

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Jenny Johnson

After what feels like an eternity of enduring Romeo's never-ending explanation on why I should be tutoring him, he finally takes a hike. Praise the lords. I mean, seriously, that guy needs a hobby or something.

Maybe knitting? He seems like the knitting type.

The music at this party is so obnoxiously loud I half-expect my eardrums to spontaneously combust. It's like being trapped in a room with a malfunctioning jet engine. And let's not even get started on the crowd-it's a sea of stumbling, swaying, and occasionally puking students.

The smell of booze and sweat is enough to make anyone regret their life choices. I can feel the weight of my own choices pressing down on me, a constant reminder of how I ended up here, in this chaotic mess instead of curled up with a good book, sipping tea.

I maneuver through the sweaty bodies, desperately searching for Bianca amidst the throng. It's like playing a twisted game of Where's Waldo, except Waldo is a slightly tipsy and elusive Bianca who probably got distracted by the shirtless Tim.

I really should've just stayed home. I hate parties. But of course, Bianca convinced me that it'd be "fun." Fun? If I hear that word one more time, I might just scream.

Just as I'm about to throw in the towel and find a quiet corner to hide in, a towering hunk of a man with shoulders wider than a double-wide trailer blocks my path. My heart sinks; if it's Romeo back with a new reason for tutoring him, I might just lose it.

But when I look up, my eyes practically pop out of their sockets. My heart does a little jig inside my chest as I strain my neck to lock eyes with none other than the notorious heartthrob, Johnathan Matthews. Seriously, this guy could charm the pants off a snake. And here he is, grinning like he just won the lottery, looking down at me as if I'm some sort of trophy.

"Jenny, right? The bold chick that goes to the same college as me, the one who sent me that message that was, uh, quite threatening?" he says, causing my throat to go dry.

My mind races. Did I really send him that? I mentally curse Bianca for using my phone. She said she'd text Tim, but instead, she texted the heartthrob of Willowbrook. Just my luck.

"Uh, sorry about that. My friend has a way with words," I mutter, feeling as awkward as a cat at a dog show.

I squirm under Johnathan's intense gaze, which seems to have taken a detour to my boobs. Great. Just what I need-my insecurities laid bare in front of the hottest guy in the room. Do I ask him if my girls are having a good day? Nah, that'd just make things worse. My self-esteem could use a boost, but not like that.

He chuckles, his deep voice rumbling through the noisy crowd. "Well, I must say, Jenny, your friend has some serious determination." He winks, and I can practically feel my face turn as red as a ripe tomato.

"Yeah, well, lucky me," I whisper, trying to play it cool. But honestly, I'm not sure if I'm lucky or just plain insane for agreeing to come to this party.

Who am I kidding? I'm definitely insane.

As we make our way through the sea of people, Johnathan gestures toward a table filled with colorful drinks. "Care for a drink?"

I glance at the table, noticing a concoction that resembles a radioactive slushie. "Is that the 'Mysterious Death' special? No thanks, I'd rather not tempt fate tonight."

I can feel the heat radiating off my cheeks, and I wish I could just disappear. But there's a spark of something-maybe hope?-that flickers inside me. For once, I'm not invisible. I'm here, talking to Johnathan Matthews, and he's actually smiling at me.