Page 10 of Jain

"You can wait outside. Close the door after you."

Harley muttered that he would be right outside as he glared at Mr Silver. He sauntered over to the door, taking his sweet time about leaving. When the door finally closed, Mr Silver turned his attention to me.

He smeltsodamn good.

"Jain, your mother has requested extra material for you. She also mentioned the possibility of a study buddy to help you along with your English studies."

I nodded, feeling embarrassed. Mr Silver continued to gaze at me with disinterest before walking to the front of the desk, leaning back on it as he removed his glasses.

I tried not to stare at his hypnotic green eyes or thethick dark lashes that framed them. He slid the arm of the glasses into his mouth as he studied me.

"The best option would be Zita Winfred," he began as I sighed dejectedly.

"Yes, Sir," I mumbled, staring once again at the floor.

I had to hope I didn't punch her in her smug little face.

"But seeing as it's your last year, maybe you would do better to have it with me."

My eyes flew to his face as my mouth fell open in surprise.

"You?" I whispered as he frowned at me.

"Well, I'm pretty familiar with the subject." He snapped as I nodded.

"Oh, no. It's not that, it's just that my mum probably can't afford you—" I was mortified now. Not only was I challenged intellectually, but I didn't have much money.

"I see. Luckily, I am motivated more by your academic success than I am by money, Jain. But it will be every other day after school for the first three months. Forty-five minutes. We will evaluate from there. Agreed?"

"I'm sorry, I'm confused."

"It doesn't seem to take much," Mr Silver drawled, folding his arms as he gazed at me.

I blushed as I continued to speak.

"So, you don't want money?"

"No."

I wanted to hug him. I wassohappy. It must've shown because he nodded.

"It starts today, so if you need to tell your parents—"

"Just my mum," I mumbled as he nodded.

"And your boyfriend. I'm not explaining myself to Mr Owen regularly."

"He's not—"

"Quite frankly, Jain, I don't care what he is to you. Just see to it that he doesn't assume you needphysicalsupport."

He turned away from me then, and I couldn't help but stare at his broad shoulders. I pulled my bag into my hand before walking past him.

"So, I come here at—"

"No, not here. You can come over to my house straight from school. Here's the address."

Mr Silver handed me a crisp piece of paper as I stared at him in shock.