The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (5 page)

"Yeah, that girl I sat next to yesterday, right?" I nod up to him. "I don't think she has a clue what's going on in class. I'm not sure but last time I checked a tutor is supposed to be intelligent and help." He smirks at me, knowing he gave a perfect answer.
 

"And you think I'm smart?" I prod deeper volleying the conversation back to him. I'm trying to keep a straight face but I want to smile so badly.
 

"You aren't?" He sneers at me making a joke out of this. But whatever, if he wants a tutor, he'll get one.
 

He gives me this smug grin knowing he's won this battle. I get pulled in noticing the cutest dimple on his cheek and his teeth shining so pearly white. My eyes travel up towards his eyes that you can get lost in for days.
 

"Fine. When are your free periods?" I ask him trying to remain professional despite my heart rate spiking every time his eyes meet mine. My body is completely betraying me and making me want to jump this guy right here in the hall.
 

"My frees are three, six and eight." He answers surprising me that he has so many frees.
 

"Eight, it is. When should we start?" I ask retrieving my last book from the bottom of my locker. I try to act confident meanwhile my heart races a hundred miles a minute.
 

"Today." He states sternly pushing off from the lockers and shoving his hands in his pockets. There's a slight shrug in his shoulders making him seem innocent.
 

"Okay, bye." I say slamming my locker shut. Luckily, it doesn't make an earthquake this time.
 

"Junior, you can't tell me it doesn't sound suspicious. He fucking sat with Becca in English. Kevin ate lunch with him. I feel set up. Help me out here and humor me." We're doing a group activity in culinary today and Junior and I decide what to cook next lab fast. I am trying to convince him Ollie is a traitor but he isn't listening at all. I might as well be speaking a different language to him.
 

"Ryder, you need to relax. I talked to Ollie yesterday. He honestly seems cool. It's the second day of school. I doubt Becca is hooking up with him already." He stresses, playing the devil's advocate. I hate when he's logical.
 

"You never know." I say lifting my voice at the end.
 

"Okay, how about this… he's in the school band. I'll talk to him at practice and figure out where his head's at." Junior suggests drumming his pencil on the desk.
 

"You're the best!" I jump up, hugging him around the neck.
 

"Wait, he's in band?" I ask double checking my ears as I pull back. Hot guys aren't in band—Junior is like the one exception.
 

"Yeah. He's amazing too." Junior says, his attention returning to the conversation as he stops drumming. "He didn't even try out. Teltz just let him in." Junior gushes, gossiping.
 

"Hm. Thats interesting." Maybe we can convert him to the dark side of loser-ness.
 

"Don't worry Ryder." He ruffles my hair up a little like an older brother would. I scowl fixing my hair. Secretly, I like when he treats me like this. "I'll chat him up after school at practice." He assures me returning to the drumming against the table.
 

I try help Junior with our government homework the rest of the period but Junior isn't the best student. He would be, but he doesn't try. He doesn't plan on going to college so he assumes his grades are irrelevant. Basically, he's a grade A slacker. After a fun period, the bell rings. I say my goodbye to Junior and we part ways.
 

I go straight to English class sitting in the same spot as yesterday not wanting to draw attention to myself. I drop my bag before placing my head on my hands on the desk. I can't help but think about Ollie. For some reason his face will not leave my brain. I try to focus on the scenery outside the window needing a diversion.

The sky is clear and blue with a couple clouds littering the skyline creating wisps like cotton candy. Overall it's pretty perfect out.
 

Almost instantly, a change in the air occurs. It's like right before a hurricane when the birds stop chirping and the world stills. The sky darkens and chills crawl up my back. I feel an anticipation cloud my mind—although I have no idea what I'm waiting for.
 

This isn't normal. Nothing about this week has been normal. I feel sick looking at the black clouds hiding the sun. It's getting dark and I pray this is all a figment of my imagination.
 

I am ripped out of my day dream by someone walking past me, the silhouette blocking my view like an eclipse. Yesterday nobody sat anywhere near me so I'm a little disoriented.

A heavy gaze lands on the back of my head making me on edge. I turn to figure out who's behind me and it's Ollie, of course. My stomach betrays me fluttering when my eyes land on his full, kissable lips.
 

"Hey Ryder." He smiles cheerfully at me pulling my gaze up from his lips to his eyes. I pray he didn't witness me looking at his lips.
 

"What are you doing over here?" I ask him in a whisper changing the mood completely. The last thing I need is the bitch squad freaking out on me again. Once a week is enough and I'd had my fill yesterday for the whole month.
 

"Sitting clearly." He states, a smile playing across his lips making me frustrated. A rumble of thunder claps outside and I flinch at the noise.

"I get that. Why here?" I ask him, confused.
 

"Because I want to?" He mutters as a question, unsure about my mood. He doesn't get what Becca does to me. Nobody does.
 

"Please, just move." I reach for my bag to flee and skip class but end up putting the bag down realizing I can't run again.
 

Instead of being mad at him, I am desperate. I plead with my eyes begging him, "she won't leave me alone if you're here."
 

"I won't let anyone hurt you Ryder." His eyes are hard, drilling into me, solidifying his statement. I want to believe him, but why would I? All I know is Becca has no limits. She'd screw me over for talking to Ollie. She's going to try and prove a point—stake her claim.
 

I give up on the hopes of him moving and turn around in my seat facing the from of the room sinking deep into my seat, trying to become invisible. A couple minutes tick by and I gain hope thinking she isn't going to come to school today. I keep chanting in my head,
Please don't come, Please don't come,
over and over.
 

A sick sensation boils up in the pit of my stomach. I hear Becca before she walks in. Her minions walk in first and then her. She goes to sit in her seat and then she looks around the room most likely searching for Ollie.
 

At first she doesn't notice me. Why would she bother to look way over here? Then her eyes are drawn to Ollie like a magnet. She waves to him and then notices me slouching. She sends a glare directed right at me that tells me I'm going to pay. Then she winks.
 

Becca starts walking over to us strutting her legs, swaying her hips. Thankfully she's focused all her attention on Ollie. "Hey babe." She drawls to him. "What are you doing slumming it over here for?" She plasters an innocent smile on her face, batting her eye lashes at him. She even leans forward to show off her bulging breasts. I practically gag.
 

"I'm sitting with Ryder today. Clearly." He puts on an equally fake smile before flashing a wide grin at her. He even blinks a couple of times mimicking her. I can't believe what is going on. I simply stare at them both, wide eyed.
 

"You're wasting your time. She's not into guys." She spits out, openly laughing at me. Her friends chime in laughing, following her lead. I can't help but blush from embarrassment.
 

"I don't care what she's into and neither should you." He defends me, raising his voice so everyone can hear. "Class is about to start. You should go sit down." He declares but in a different way. I don't think it's his voice to be honest. The voice has a melody and a beat to it—deep and beautiful, but unsettling at the same time.
 

If I didn't watch his lips move, I would think the voice belonged to someone else. I don't like the feeling it gives me in my bones but it works. Becca goes back to her desk and sits down. She doesn't even glance back until she is at her seat when her face transforms into a scowl. She flicks me off and I face the front of the room as fast as possible.
 

The teacher walks in shorty after and starts class. I turn and face Ollie. "Thank you." I whisper. He nods in understanding.
 

I owe him big time. He saved my ass. The rest of the period a stupid grin is glued to my face. The bell rings and I sprint to the student center leaving English in the dust.

"Junior!" I call to him once I get to the large hall. I spot him in a line and rush to his side. "You're never going to guess what happened." I take a second to regain my composure from running so far. I bend over putting my hands on my knees. A little dramatic—I'll admit but I am out of shape.
 

"What the hell?! Who hurt you?" He grabs my shoulders bringing me back to eye level. His eyes fill with rage. I can tell he will go beat the crap out of whoever did something to me.
 

"No. No. A good thing!" I tell him shaking my head. I can tell by the look on his face he's getting impatient with me.
 

"Well, what is it?" He begs for an explanation.

"Ollie stood up to Becca for me and sat with me in class." I get out in one breath.
 

"No way!" Junior exclaims his face lighting up as he lets go of me.
 

"Yup." I state proudly. I smile up at Junior showing him the same goofy grin I had plastered to my face all class. I haven't been this happy in a long, long time.
 

"I told you he was a good guy. I have a sixth sense about this kind of shit." Junior states proudly with an, I told you so look on. He's such a cocky bastard but I love him for it.
 

"Guess what else." I intrigue him further.

"There's more?" He questions me, his eyes lighting up again. Damn, this kid is a sucker for a good story.
 

"Yep. I'm tutoring him eighth period today." I finish raising my eyebrows suggestively. I do a little shake too emphasizing my amazing mood.
 

"You're a lucky girl. Damn." He jokes with me resting his arm around my shoulder. He makes fun of me the rest of lunch but I don't care. I have the best friend in the entire world and a new guy friend.
 

I rush to the library anticipating seeing Ollie after the last bell rings. I stop at the circulation desk and say 'hi' to Mary.
 

"I'm tutoring a guy here every day from now on." I tell Mary excitedly. She can see the joy in my expression and returns it whole heartedly.

"That's wonderful! I'll be sure to send him back." She says as I start to head back to my spot. "You seem happy." She calls after me.
 

"Yeah, I think I am." I confess back, beaming with happiness on cloud nine. A couple minutes pass and I stare down that freaking front door waiting for it to budge.