“I didn’t feel like listening to Mrs. Engleberg talk about research papers anymore.”

Knowing Toby, his research paper was already done. “Right. That sounds just like you.”

“Ooh, you don’t believe me.” He sits forward, looking up at Vice Principal Davidson before he continues. He definitely doesn’t want to get into trouble, which only shows how bogus his story is. “I’m a little hurt.”

“Did you tell Meredith we’re studying tonight?” It sort of just slips out.

“Tori tell you that?”

I nod. “Did you tell Meredith you were studying with me, or did you just say you were tutoring someone?”

“You worried Meredith won’t like you hanging out with me?”

“We aren’t hanging out. You’re helping me with trig.”

“Right.”

This conversation just took a turn for the weird. Is he trying to tell me something?

“Why don’t you and Meredith get along?” he asks. “You’re neighbors, right?”

“Yeah, but she doesn’t think I’m up to her level.”

He stifles a laugh.

“Why is that so funny?”

“Because Meredith isn’t up to the standard she thinks she is. I feel sort of bad for her. She’s dying to fit in, and she doesn’t even see that the people she hangs all over don’t really like her. They tolerate her.”

“Is that what you do?”

“She’s okay. I’d be friends with her, but that’s not what she wants, apparently.”

“Apparently.” Davidson looks our way, so we stop talking. I read another two pages in my history book before I attempt conversation again. “You know, we’ve never talked like this before.”

“That’s because Tori claimed you as her friend. Ever notice we don’t share anything?”

“So you can’t be friends with her friends?” Well, that sucks for me. If Tori won’t let Toby be friends with me, she’ll definitely never approve of us dating.

“I’ve never tried. She wants to keep the twin stuff to a minimum, so we hang with different crowds.”

“But what about me? I mean, we’ve always interacted when I’m at your house. That’s not a problem for her, right? And she was the one to suggest you tutor me.”

“That’s not the same as being friends.”

“No, I guess it’s not.” My heart deflates. He’s saying we aren’t friends. I really am nothing but his sister’s best friend.

“Does that bother you?” He shifts closer in his seat.

How do I answer that without him knowing I have a huge crush on him? “I think it’s weird. I mean, you’re twins. You’re bound to like some of the same people.”

“I agree, but this is how Tori wants it.”

“So you get no say in the matter? And that’s okay with you?”

“I didn’t say that. It’s never really bothered me before.”

“Before? It bothers you now?”

He smiles. “You ask a lot of questions.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business.”

He shrugs. “It kind of is.”

“How?” Damn it, another question.

He smiles again. “I get asked to tutor a lot.”

“Oh. You’re too busy to keep tutoring me. That’s okay.” No, it’s not. I don’t want to lose that time with him. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to being with him.

“That’s not what I meant.”

This time I’m silent, waiting for him to explain.

“I get asked to tutor a lot, but I’ve never said yes.”

“Why not?” I cringe as another question comes out of my mouth.

“I’m busy mostly. And a lot of people think if I tutor them, it gives them access to the crowd I hang out with.”

“Like they’re using you for your popularity and your brain?”

“Exactly.”

“But you knew I wasn’t.”

“Right. You really just wanted help in trig.”

And a date would be nice. Man, I feel awful for having other motives that he knows nothing about.

“If I thought you were like the others, I would’ve said no, suggested another tutor.”

Except, I am like them. Aren’t I? No, I didn’t trick Toby. I wasn’t going to ask him to tutor me. Tori did it. Yes, I’m enjoying his company, but I didn’t trick him at all.

“So, are you up for another tutoring session this evening?”

“You sure you want to?” There, I gave him a way out. If we continue with this, it will be because he wants to. His decision.

“Yeah. I had a lot of fun with you last night.”

My stomach knots. “Me too.”

“Good. Then I’ll see you at seven.” He gets up. “Now, I have to get out of here. I don’t really have detention.” He winks and walks out of the room without Vice Principal Davidson even looking his way.

Chapter Five

When seven o’clock rolls around, I still don’t know what to make of Toby’s detention appearance. Why was he there if he didn’t really have detention? And what was with the story about getting caught skipping class? Nothing makes sense to me. Because if those things weren’t true, then the only reason he showed up in detention was to talk to me. And that confuses me more than anything else.

“Why have you been so quiet tonight?” Tori asks, polishing her last fingernail.

“Have I?”

She looks up at me. “Something wrong?”

“I had a weird day.”

“Again?” She blows on her nails.

“Yeah. Mr. Rollar was strange in class today. He gave me a hard time and then tried to tell me it was because he thought I wasn’t really trying to improve my grade.”

“Toby’s tutoring didn’t help any, huh?”

“No, it did. A lot. Mr. Rollar was impressed. He said he can see I’m really trying now.”

“So, he gave you a hard time and then you made him eat his words, basically?”

“I guess.”

“Nice.” She waves her hands in front of her. Her nail drying ritual might be effective, but it looks ridiculous. “But you know he’s going to hate you if you keep making him look stupid in front of the class.”

“Not if he learns to stop picking on me.” I smile.

“That’s my girl. I’m rubbing off on you.”

“Maybe a little.” I laugh.

“You’re going to be late for your tutoring session.” Tori waves her hands in the direction of the clock on the nightstand.

Why am I putting off going to Toby’s room? It’s not like me, but his strange behavior has me questioning everything. “Yeah, I guess I should go.”

“And tell Toby we’re going to have to swap phones soon. I’m still getting bombarded with calls. Only this time they’re from Meredith.”

“Meredith? But she has Toby’s number.”

“How do you know?” Tori arches a brow.

“She called last night while he was tutoring me.”

“Then tell him to make sure she doesn’t call me anymore.” Her tone is anything but friendly.

“Geesh, Tori.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to take my anger out on you. It’s bad enough you have to spend time with my brother. You don’t need to get involved with his many girlfriends.”

“They aren’t his girlfriends. More like stalkers.”

“Yeah, as if he doesn’t love the attention. Don’t let him fool you. It’s always been like this. Just because he’s my brother doesn’t mean you have to like him or defend him.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.”

“Good. Because last time I checked, we’re best friends. Toby has his own friends to stick up for him.”

“Right.” I don’t want to get into an argument over Toby, so I grab my stuff. “See you later.”

“Go get all smart and stuff.”

I walk to Toby’s room and knock on the door. Something feels off. He didn’t come get me like he did yesterday, and he has music playing. Maybe he changed his mind about tutoring me tonight. I knock again, and this time he answers. In his boxers. Holy hell!

“Oh.” He laughs and looks down at his underwear. “Oops. Come on in. I’ll put on some clothes.”

I hesitate in the hallway. The image of his bare chest is burned into my eyelids. Yes, I’ll be having good dreams tonight. But this isn’t a dream right now, and I’m not sure what to do. If he wasn’t off limits, I’d be in his room already, but I can’t act on anything I’m feeling.