Page 5 of Movers and Fakers

All three of my roommates’ brows rise in unison.

“I get the feeling we’re going to want to be sitting down for this,” Jasmine says carefully.

She sits down on the couch next to Marigold. Saylor eyes me as she takes the last cushion. I move to fully face them, which was a mistake because now I feel like I’m giving a presentation. I hate presentations. I tuck my hands into my hoodie pocket and tangle my fingers.

“I got a job offer today … sort of,” I tell them.

Marigold frowns. “Okay? That’s good, right? I know you’ve been saving a lot for the program.”

Though it pained me to talk about because I hate sharing about my personal life, I told all of them about the program and my meager savings over the summer. I didn’t want them to think I was turning down their ice cream runs or movie nights because I didn’t want to go. Sometimes that might be the case—I do like being alone—but they are my friends, and I never want to hurt them. Especially because they keep me around even though I’m not half as bright and bubbly as they are.

“Yeah, it would cover the cost, plus a whole lot more. The only problem is, the offer is unconventional, and my boss would be …” I hesitate. “The worst.”

Why is it so hard to get the words out? Maybe because I know they know Hayes. And while Saylor and Jasmine are apprehensive, Marigold despises the guy. He stopped her from doing a story on the Shadow Ring last semester for the school paper and then banned her for life.

Jasmine’s forehead wrinkles. “Explain.”

I draw in a deep breath, then let it out in a whoosh. Here goes nothing.

“Hayes Rosewood wants me to tutor him.” I rip off the Band-Aid. “He said he’ll pay me a hundred thousand dollars if I help him pass Digital Logic.”

Saylor’s mouth drops open. Jasmine lets out a disbelieving laugh, falling back against the couch cushions. Meanwhile, Marigold scowls.

“Sounds like a trap,” she says, as expected.

Saylor shakes her head. “I don’t know about a trap, but it definitely sounds too good to be true.”

“What part of tutoring Hayes Rosewood is too good to be true?” Marigold asks, incredulous.

“The part where he said he’d give her a hundred thousand dollars to do it,” Jasmine replies wryly, making me let out a soft laugh.

“I was thinking about the fact that he’s insanely attractive, but that too,” Saylor replies.

“There’s more to a man than his looks,” Marigold says.

“This coming from the girl who’s dating a hot, brooding hockey player,” Saylor shoots back.

I shake my head at their conversation.

“We’re getting off topic here,” Jasmine says, always the one to get our train back on the tracks. “What did you tell him?” she asks me.

I squeeze my hands in my hoodie pocket.

“I said I’d think about it. Which he took to mean yes.”

Marigold rolls her eyes. “Of course he did.”

“Was he right to think that?” Jasmine continues her questions.

I shift on my feet, liking the spotlight less and less. There’s no hiding things from them, not really, anyway. So I couldn’t have kept this hidden for long. Especially considering who Hayes is. He’s like a walking bug zapper, and the student body is a swarm of moths drawn to him. They don’t realize until it’s too late that he’s danger incarnate.

“Maybe,” I hedge.

Marigold gapes at me. “You can’t be serious.”

“It’s a hundred thousand dollars,” Saylor reminds her. “I’d do it, too.”

I gesture to Saylor. “Exactly. I’d be able to pay for college and ballet. No more pinching pennies and saying no to girls’ nights.”