Chapter One

"Miss Manning, you are exactly 10 minutes late."

Vanessa Manning flashed her biology teacher a smile. "Sorry Mr. Isaacs. It won't happen again."

"See me after class." Mr. Isaacs said sternly, prompting the rest of the class to snicker.

Vanessa sighed and took a seat in the back of the classroom. She took out a file and began to buff her perfectly polished nails. Biology is a total waste of time, she thought.

Besides, she was so hung over that it was a miracle she managed to make it to first period at all. Last night, she had attended one of her father's concerts in the hopes of spending some quality time with him. But getting a bite to eat with dear old dad after the show was too draining on him. "I'm tired, Nessa. How 'bout some other time?" He had said, giving her a pleading look.

Which was essentially code for: "I'm too busy with my slutty young girlfriend to give my own daughter the time of the day."

So Vanessa had gone to an after party with her father's band mates and got totally wasted. Well, so much for quality time with dad.

After a painful half hour listening to Mr. Isaacs drone on and on about cells, the bell finally rang. Vanessa jumped out of her seat, ready to sprint out of the classroom when Mr. Isaacs stopped her at the door. "Just one moment, Miss Manning."

Mr. Isaacs waited until everyone was out of the room before he spoke. "Vanessa, I'm concerned about your grades in this class."

"Oh," Vanessa said apathetically. "I'll do better on the next test, okay?"

"Vanessa," Mr. Isaacs shook his head. "You're going to have to get at least a B on this next test to pass this course."

Vanessa shrugged. "Okay, so I'll get a B."

Mr. Isaacs raised his eyebrows. "The highest grade you've had so far in this class was a C-. You're going to need some serious help to even get a B. Which is why I've set you up with a tutor."

"A tutor?" Vanessa repeated. "Really, Mr. Isaacs. A tutor isn't necessary."

Mr. Isaacs opened his desk drawer and handed Vanessa a piece of paper. "I called your mom last night, and she agreed with me. A young man from Banting should be coming by your house this afternoon to work with you."

Vanessa looked at the piece of paper. Jamie Talbot, it read. Hmmm…maybe he'll be cute. She imagined herself with a hot college student (preferably one who played a varsity sport and had an athlete's body to prove it), going over some kind of science textbook. Suddenly, he'd close the textbook, lean over toward her, and well, the rest would be history.

Or biology.

"Well, thank you, Mr. Isaacs." She smiled brightly. "I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow morning."