Caught in Us (Lost 3)

"He's hot and good at Trig?" Hazel says, groaning. "This should be illegal." As should showing up bruised at school. "I think we should resign from our jobs as Chief Nerd Officers."

"What?" I ask, confused.

"What's the point of being a nerd if I have to spend hours studying for Trig to get it, and then someone like him walks in and just knocks it out of the park?"

I swear that when he puts down the marker and swirls around, biting his lower lip, there is a collective sigh from Anna and her friends.

"That's a neat way to solve that exercise, Damon," Mr. Smith says, clearly impressed. "Were you in an Advanced Placement course in your previous school?"

"No, but I was in a math contest. Our teacher did some extra lessons with the participants."

"Well, your teacher did an excellent job." Mr. Smith eyes Damon's bruises like he wants to say something about them, but then dismisses the class. Hazel and I barely pack our bags when Anna is already at Damon's desk, trying to make conversation. There goes my chance to ask him about his weekend during this break.

"I bet she's asking him for tutoring in Trig," Hazel says.

"I think she can come up with more exciting activities, Hazel."

"Come to think of it, maybe we should ask for some tutoring." She nudges my shoulder. "You could ask him."

"Why me?" My neck grows

warm. I told her about having lunch with him on Friday, though I didn't go into much detail.

"You know why. Go ahead; ask him."

I nod, but I want to ask him something else.

***

I don't get to talk with Damon all morning because during the breaks, Anna is hovering around him. At lunch, Hazel and I are among the last to arrive in the cafeteria. We stand in line for the unhealthy food—pepperoni pizza today.

"Lunch on the roof?" a deep voice asks right into my ear. My reaction is instantaneous and unsettling. Goose bumps dance on my neck and arms, and when I swirl around and meet his eyes, there is this weird jumble in my stomach again.

"Yes. I see you found the right line today," I say.

"I'm a fast learner," he declares proudly.

"So we've heard in Trig," Hazel interjects.

I can't help looking at his split lip and black eye, but I can't say anything with Hazel around. We get our food in silence, and then Hazel says, "I'll eat inside today. I need to finish my Physics homework."

"You finished it this morning before Trig," I say dumbfounded.

"I want to go over it again. I think I got one wrong."

"We'll stay inside, too—”

"Nonsense," Hazel says. "You two go up and soak in a bit of sun. I'll see you later."

Only when Damon and I are already on the roof does it occur to me that Hazel might have wanted to stay inside on purpose, so Damon and I could be alone.

"How was your movie marathon?"

"Great." I’m surprised and pleased he remembers my plans for the weekend. We eat in silence, and when he swallows the last bite and leans on his back, I finally pick up my courage and say, "You promised not to get into trouble with your dad."

"I didn't."

"This is how you look when you don't get in trouble with him?"