Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 234779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1174(@200wpm)___ 939(@250wpm)___ 783(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 234779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1174(@200wpm)___ 939(@250wpm)___ 783(@300wpm)
“I’ll leave if you’re just gonna make fun of me,” I inform him, planting a hand on my hip.
“Not until you do my homework, you’re not,” he jokes.
“A minute ago I was helping, now I’m doing the homework?”
“By the time you leave, you’ll be showing up in my place to all my classes. I bet you’re excited.”
“I can’t find the words to adequately express my excitement.”
Handing me a cold bottle of water, he asks, “You know any Greek plays?”
“Greek plays? Sure, I know of a couple. I’ve never actually read any, but... Why?”
“That’s the first part of the assignment. We have to find a Greek play for me to read. It doesn’t sound like a good time.”
“They tend to be tragic,” I agree. “Oedipus Rex is the first one that comes to mind, but it’s probably the first one that comes to everyone’s mind. This isn’t a group project?”
“Nope.”
I give him a perfunctory nod. “We’ll go with something less obvious, then. How about Medea? It’s dark, but there’s probably a decent chance no one else will pick it.”
He leads me toward the staircase at the front of the house, then we head upstairs. “I thought you said you hadn’t read any.”
“I haven’t, but I know what it’s about. It’s a story of vengeance.”
That seems to pique his interest. “Oh, yeah, that sounds good. Why’s this dude want vengeance?”
“It’s actually not the dude who wants vengeance. The main character is this woman who has basically given everything to lift up the dude, Jason. And then the dude decides to leave her for another woman, and boy, does she not appreciate that.”
Hunter cracks a smile. “I bet she doesn’t.”
“Are you acting the play out, or…?”
“Right now we just have to read the play and get a feel for the character we want to make a mask for. We’re making these Greek half-masks though, so I guess we’ll probably have to do some enactment next.”
“Hmm. Well, you could be Jason.”
“I don’t think I want to be Jason. Sounds like he’s gonna get his ass beat.”
“We can try to find one with a less douchey leading man,” I offer as Hunter stops in front of a closed door. “Is this your bedroom?”
“It is,” he verifies, twisting the knob and pushing the door open.
My eyes widen. I’m glad he’s in front of me so he doesn’t see the look on my face. “We’re doing homework in your bedroom? Where is your mom? Is this allowed?”
“My mom is out with friends, and yes, this is allowed. God, you’ve gotta learn to relax. Is your mom super protective or something?”
“No, she’s a normal amount of protective, but she would definitely discourage me having boys in my bedroom.”
“Guess we won’t be doing homework at your house then,” he says lightly.
“I don’t think I would be allowed in your room alone with you, either,” I tell him, despite the heat rushing to my face.
Looking back at me over his shoulder, he asks, “Don’t you ever do anything you’re not allowed to do?”
“Not really,” I murmur as I step across the threshold and into his space.
It’s a lot of space. His bedroom is about three times the size of mine, but he fills the space well. He has a big bed covered neatly with a blue comforter and fluffy pillows. Beside his bed is a guitar in front of a big window seat. I start to imagine him playing it, but inexplicably the thought warms my face, so I shift my gaze away quickly.
In case I didn’t find him adequately impressive, there’s a trophy case mounted on the wall, filled with shiny, gold evidence of his many athletic achievements. While I peer at the trophies and medals curiously, Hunter walks in front of me and approaches his desk. He drops his backpack on top and turns back around to face me.
Leaning his hip against the desk, he uncaps his water and assures me, “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
There’s something enticing about the way he says it, something that makes a small part of me feel… curious.
I bite down on my bottom lip, looking at him uncertainly. I’d feel too much like a goody goody saying it, but the fluttery feeling in my stomach tells me my mom is probably right, I probably shouldn’t be alone with him in his bedroom.
“Why don’t we—” A bit clumsily, I gesture to the open bedroom door. “It seems like there was more space out there at the kitchen table. If we have to make a mask, that could probably get messy. We’ll need supplies and space to work.”
Hunter pushes off the desk and makes his way toward me. “Nah.”
I take a step back. “Why?”
“I like it in here,” he says, walking around behind me.
I swallow, not knowing what he’s doing. A moment later, he shuts the door and my heart drops into my tummy. “I’m definitely not allowed to be in your room with the door closed.”