Page 1 of The Surprise Play

CHAPTER 1

ELIZABETH

I fidget with my hands as I head toward the library. I’m telling myself it’s because I’m cold and forgot my gloves. Snow that’s turned to brown sludge is edging the sidewalk, and the air is clear and crisp. My winter coat is buttoned up to my chin. I could easily put my hands in my pockets to keep them warm, but no… I can’t stop fidgeting. Squeezing my unpolished fingernails, I climb the concrete steps and head into the library.

The second I walk through the glass doors, the heat envelops me… but I still keep rubbing my hands together because I’m stupidly nervous.

I shouldn’t be.

I’ve been tutoring students at Nolan U since the second semester of my freshman year. One of my professors shoulder-tapped me and put me onto an academic adviser who was looking for students to add to her tutoring pool.

Apparently, I’m smart enough to help students older than me, and I’m not about to shy away from the money.I’m here on a partial scholarship, and my parents are really stretched to make up the rest, so if I can help out at all, I will.

The only problem is…

I didn’t think I’d have to help a guy like Wily Wilson.

I mean, I don’t even know why Ms. Bigsby thinks I’m a good fit. Wily is a senior.A senior.

Who’s taking the easiest classes he can find. You’ve totally got this.

It’s pointless lying to myself. I’m not nervous because I don’t think I can handle the coursework.

With a little sigh, I unbutton my coat and shuffle into the library, staying close to the wall and eyeing the students already in here. I’m surprised how full it is considering school doesn’t go back until Monday, but I guess people want to get prepped for their classes the same way I do. Although, some are probably catching up after slacking off between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

My eyes dart from one face to another, quickly working out which students fit into my various categories.

I don’t see Wily among them and inch my way a little closer to the main desk. I told him to find me in here at eleven o’clock this morning. I’m early, of course—I have an inability to show up late or even on time. Earlyison time, isn’t it?

Biting my lower lip, I pinch my index finger and beg my roiling stomach to calm the hell down. I shouldn’t have looked Wily Wilson up on the school website last night. One glimpse of his beaming face with those perfectly straight teeth, brilliant blue eyes, flawless bone structure, and a head of hair that would make all malemodels on the planet jealous was all it took to ruin my night.

Athletes.

They’re horrible humans, and the fact that this one made my chest flutter with appreciation is really annoying me.

And making me bite my lip and squeeze my fingers and?—

Grrr! Stop it!

He’s a dumb jock. You’ve dealt with them before. Be polite and professional, and freaking get paid. That’s all you have to do.

I shake out my hands with a huff, then feel the air in my throat catch.

Oh shit!

Taking three quick steps back, I duck around the corner, squeezing my eyes closed and praying they didn’t notice me. I grip the edge of the bookshelf and dare to open one eye, peeking across the library and spotting the three girls huddled together at the long table just beyond the main desk. They’re whispering and giggling, and now I feel sick.

Dammit. What are they doing here?

I thought they’d stretch out their holiday break and not return until Sunday night. I imagined them heading to Jamaica or some island where they could show off their bikini bodies to drooling men and get themselves a nice little tan.

Resting my forehead against the book spines in front of me, I slowly count to ten, trying and failing to forget that first day of this school year and the moment my world shifted on its axis.

I’d survived freshman year at Nolan U without too many problems.

I was missing my parents like crazy, and living at Nolan U felt like moving to Metropolis after growing up in Fledgling, but I was managing. I loved being anonymous, walking around campus as Miss Invisible. My teachers noticed me, but that’s only because my grades impressed them, and I did win one small academic competition, which was mentioned in the school paper. Thankfully, it was on page nine, and hardly anyone read it. They used the worst photo of me ever. I was so stiff and nervous, I couldn’t smile. So I just held up the trophy and stared at the lens. Ugh!

Other than that second of semi-fame, I’ve been able to walk the corridors of my dorm and the sidewalks of this beautiful campus without anyone caring who I am…