Liz is sitting at one of the library tables with several weighty volumes spread open around her when Jake pulls up a chair.
“I tried texting you but didn’t get an answer. You use paper books, huh? Interesting.”
“Lots of stuff isn’t digitized. Besides, I get tired of staring at a screen all the time, Jake. But listen, I’ve gotta get this essay finished and I’m almost there. Just a little more, then I can write it up. And writing is not my thing. So,” she turns to smile sweetly at him. “What do I have to do to make you go away?”
“Well,” Jake begins, “if you’re gonna be like that.”
Liz can tell she’ll want to know by Jake’s Cheshire cat grin.
Hmmm. “Alright. What do you want to tell me?”
“Ask me how I can be of assistance to you.”
Liz studies him, then decides to play the game.
“Okay, how are you going to help me, Jake?”
“I’m working on a project for Professor Mol, a kick-ass slide show that’ll run on every available surface during the school Christmas party.”
“Sounds cool. You want me to help?”
“Um, no, actually.”
Exasperated. “So what are you bugging me about then?”
“That’s not what you’re supposed to say.”
Liz laughs, quickly clapping her hands over her mouth to avoid being ejected on a noise complaint. People are looking, so she ducks down and whispers, “What am supposed to ask?”
“Ask me why the organizer doesn’t want your help.”
“What? I get along great with the Prof. She’s my hero. There’s no problem, at least not that I know. Oh God, is there something I should know? Have I screwed up or something?”
“Not Professor Mol,” Jake can’t keep from grinning as he says, “Professor Mol’s T.A. is the organizer.”
Liz narrows her eyes, looking hard at Jake.
“I don’t have any problem with Ethan.” Jake looks at her and she feels the blood rising to her face. “You gonna harass me about this for the rest of my life or what? Ohmigod you didn’t say anything.”
“No,” Jake leans in, “I’m trying to do is tell you a secret.”
Skeptical. “What?”
“Ethan doesn’t want you to help because he thinks you’re too much of a distraction.”
Liz opens her mouth then shuts it. She stares at Jake, waiting for him to give up on this monstrous tease and tell her the real story. But he’s just sitting there. Smug.
“On the level. I told him he should ask you and he, look, he’s got it bad. Real bad. But he’s not gonna do anything about it.”
“Why is that? Oh, I get it, I’m too tall for him, right?”
“No.” Jake shakes his head, “He didn’t say anything like that. More like you’re too good for him.”
“What? That’s crazy.”
“I’m just telling you what he said. But if you wanna get together with him, you’re the one’s gonna have to ask him out.”
Heart pounding, Liz snaps, “Maybe I will.”
“I’ll watch your stuff. He’s in Mol’s room right now.”
“OK, I will.” She gets up and starts away, but turns back and leans in close.
“You’re not making this up, right?”
