Page 52 of The Surprise Play

She shakes her head. “You’ve worked really hard, and I’ll make sure Professor Pilscher knows it.”

With a grateful nod, I grab my stuff and head out the door, pausing one last time to look at her. The soft light from her desk illuminates the side of her round cheek, and in that glow she looks… I don’t know, really pretty. I smile at her. “Good night, Satch.”

She bites her bottom lip but can’t stop her grin. “Good night, Wily.”

CHAPTER 16

ELIZABETH

As much as I wanted to sleep like the dead, I ended up having a restless night. I couldn’t get Wily out of my brain. His scent seemed to permeate my room—this manly deodorant smell mixed with male sweat or something? That should be totally gross, but as I was getting dressed this morning, I kept sniffing the air like I was searching for that smell again.

Seriously. What is wrong with me?

Grabbing my only pair of jeans, I put them on and check my reflection in the mirror. My lips pull into an unhappy frown the way they always do. I wish I could wear these like other girls at school, but my legs are so solid, and all my bulgy bits seem to get highlighted to the extreme when I wear pants like this. So, just like I always do, I end up taking them off and going for a dress instead.

My mom made me this one last year to help with the colder winter months. It’s made with material that has merino wool in it, so it’s super warm. Not that I feel thecold too much, but I love how soft the fabric is. And I like the way it swishes around my ankles when I walk.

It’s probably not the height of fashion, but I don’t care. I’m pretty sure even if Itriedto be chic or cool, I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. My brain just doesn’t think that way.

And so I settle for comfort.

Throwing a scarf around my neck, I pull on my winter coat, pack my bag, and head for Java Jeans. I know Wily said he’d meet me here this morning, but he’s working out right now, and I figure I can sneak in my daily walk and a quick caffeine injection before I have to see him.

My lips twitch as I picture his face, his blue eyes so bright and happy every time I compliment him. He obviously has no faith in his academic ability, and I’m still not sure he gets how much of this assignment he’s done himself. I’ve just been asking him questions—he’s the one coming up with the answers. That’s all him, and heshouldfeel proud of himself.

I check my room one last time before closing the door, my lips growing into a broader smile as I picture him hunched over my little stool. His body is so tall and broad and muscular, and he looked comical squished up against my desk last night.

So sweet of him to let me use my own chair, though.

He does seem to have some real gentlemanly qualities.

Barring the mental undressing thing, which I really don’t want to think about.

Hurrying outside, I murmur a soft thank-you to the girl who held the door for me, then set a quick pace to the coffee shop. I like to get my thirty minutes in eachday, so I take the longer route there, avoiding all the hot spots where Team Evil 2.0 likes to hang. Although it’s probably early enough that I’m in the clear.

I’m a little out of breath by the time I get to Java Jeans’s front door, so I take a second to suck in a few mouthfuls of air before reaching for the handle.

“Oh.” I step back and let a couple walk through the door, then end up holding it for the girl behind them and the other guy behind them.

I’m now fifth in line and scanning the board for my order. I don’t know why. I always get the same thing anyway.

“Hey, Elizabeth,” a friendly voice chirps behind me.

I flinch and spin, pasting on a smile when I spot a girl from my Rhetorical Theory class. “Oh, hi, Megan. How are you?”

“Yeah, great. Just grabbing a cup of joe before I have to face Professor Lynch. Have you ever had her?”

“Lynch,” I murmur, shaking my head. “I don’t think so.”

“You’d definitely know if you had.” She laughs. “That woman gives new meaning to the wordbattle-axe.”

“Yikes.” I let out a soft laugh, my stomach starting to itch. I ignore the sensation, curling my fingers and begging myself not to scratch that spot just above my belly button.

“How about you? What are you up to today?”

“Oh… um…” I blink and try to think of something cool to say, but seriously? Like that’s ever going to be possible. “Just getting my morning coffee too.”

“Nice. Do you want to sit together? We can moan about evil professors until we have to go to class.” Hersmile is so bright and expectant, and I’m not lying when I say a part of me is tempted, but…