Beauty and the Geek Boy

Chapter 16-Will

*Geek Boy* 

"Do you have any intention of explaining to me what is going on here?" 

My mother's gaze was solely focused on me. The lines of her face were harsh and her jade green eyes were icy. Her thin arms were crossed. She was still clad in her work clothes, a pinstriped grey suit and a matching tailored skirt. 

I shoved a hand through my hair. 

Dang, this wasn't good. 

Had she just come in? And I hadn't even noticed her? 

Who could blame me? 

Ellie was intoxicating. The cute curves of her face, her sweet smile, her beautiful scent....  

It made it hard to breathe, let alone think. 

My gaze flickered to Ellie, who stood stiff, wide doe like eyes latching onto my mom. 

She looked terrified. 

I sighed. I wanted to rest a hand on her back, to calm her tense muscles, to tell her she had no reason to be worried. 

My gaze jumped back to my mother. 

I, on the other hand, was in serious trouble. 

Stupid Will. 

"Mom, this is Ellie." I gestured to Ellie's frozen frame. "Ellie, this is my mother." 

"H-hi, nice to meet you!" Ellie held out a hand as she beamed at my mother. Despite her dazzling smile, her eyes exuded nervousness. 

My mother glared at Ellie's hand in disdain till Ellie finally let it drop. Ellie's smile faltered. 

"Mother," I hissed. 

My mother gave Ellie a disgusted once-over, her eyes lingering on the cheerleading outfit and the exposed skin of her legs. Finally, with a revolted expression, she dismissed her, her irritated gaze falling back onto me. 

"William, I would like an answer to my question." 

No way was she treating Ellie like that. 

Clenching my jaw, I strode over, standing between Ellie and my mother. 

"I would like you to stop being unnecessarily rude to my guest." 

In my head, I was murmuring comfort to Ellie. 

My mother's eyes narrowed. "Pardon me? Rude?" 

"Yes," I said shortly. "Rude." I crossed my arms. "As for your question, we were studying," I clipped. "I'm her tutor." 

She made a sound at the back of her throat. "Tutor? And what about your own studies?" 

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you have something to say?" 

Her eyes narrowed further. Her gaze jumped from me to Ellie, then back. "Not in front of your guest," she spat. "But yes, we do have matters to discuss." 

Foreboding slithered up my spine. 

I nodded curtly. 

My gaze fell on Ellie, still standing behind me. Her eyes were focused on the floor and she chewed on her bottom lip. 

"Come on," I said softly. 

She glanced up at me once before nodding and dropping her gaze back to the floor. I led her back to the front room. 

"Wait a sec, I'll get your bag." 

I shot a look at my mom's back, a mental warning for her to leave Ellie alone.