"But-"

"Holly, I understand that you may have some difficulty affording a private chemistry tutor, but there are student tutoring services available. Come to the Student Resources Center tomorrow afternoon, and student tutors are available from four to eight. A teacher will pair you with a tutor who can work within a flexible fee schedule. I'd be happy to speak privately with anyone, if you-"

"It's fine, really. Thank you."

"I'm one of the teachers who works with the tutoring students, and I'll see you there tomorrow." Ms. Park was firm about this. "I know chemistry holds little interest to you, Holly, but really. You failed your junior year physics class, and you need at least three full years of lab science credits to graduate. I am making this mandatory for you, Holly. I know you've been interested in applying to Vassar, and with your SAT scores and English recommendations I don't doubt that that would be well suited for you. So get the tutoring, graduate high school, and you'll never have to see another table of elements again. Alright?" Already thumbing through a stack of papers, Holly could tell this was Ms. Parks' dismissal.

Her frown deepened outside of the classroom, when she was met by a blond boy.

"Hey Holly, want me to walk you to your next class?" Her eyes flicked to him nearly incredulously, her ears flushing hot as she heard whispers around them. Her lips tightened.

"I'm actually fine, thanks." As if he hadn't heard her, Reid fell into step on her left, not noticing- or choosing to ignore- the way the crowd parted with whispers and lingering glances.

"Alright, look, Holly," Reid slipped in front of the girl, bringing her to a halt. "Let's be honest here. I know you like me, and it's cool. You could be totally hot if you wore better clothes, or something. Think of swimming lessons as like, dates, or something." Reid knew he was reaching here, and thought about slinking off to find someone to wedge him into a locker where he could rot, safely preserved from the infinitesimal narrowing of her eyes, and the unnerving look of suppressed anger in them. The girl raised one eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching up and then down. "OK so maybe your clothes are fine." He felt an inexplicable urge to avoid making her unhappy.

"You're awfully… enamored of yourself."

"But surely."

"You'd choose the pills over the phone huh?"

"Hey there John Doe, now that's not nice. I'm not vain," here even he had to smirk, "and besides, I'd still have my wit and dashing charm. Chicks dig noseless guys. I'd start a new thing." He pivoted to the side and allowed her to pass him before walking again with her. She cast a sideways glance at him, appraising.

"Se7en fan?"

"Morgan Freeman fan. You?"

"Kevin Spacey fan." Reid snorted.

"How can you be a Kevin Spacey fan? That guy is like… Creepy on a stick. I mean, even his voice… And the fingers…. Ugh." Reid shook himself as if ridding his mind of something. Holly suppressed a smile.

"Do I sense childhood nightmares?"

"Of an obscenely powerful nature." Holly laughed then, a surprising trill.

"I was petrified of the boogeyman after I watched Don't Look Under the Bed on the Disney channel. They said the only way you were safe was if you slept with the covers over your head, and I used to wake up in the morning in fifth grade and let the alarm ring itself out because I was too scared to come out- I thought the boogeyman would grab my hand and drag me into Boogeyland, or something. I watched Poltergeist at a slumber party when I was eight, and I swear that's when my insomnia set in."

"You're one of those creepy insomniacs, too?"

"Oh, not anymore. Now I have a serious sleeping pill habit."

"Whatever works. Hey- this is my class," he gestured with a tattooed hand to the room number (316) above an open door. "But thanks for walking me." He smirked. Holly turned to leave, and she swore she heard him whisper You know you can't get enough of me. She shook her head, and quickened her pace. What the fuck…

--

"Miss Donnelly!" Ms. Park seemed surprised that Holly had come to tutoring… Like she hadn't been ordered to. "I've found just the tutor for you, an AP chemistry student… His name is Caleb Danvers." Holly suppressed a shudder as Ms. Park herded her to a small table under a window. She'd had a hard time looking Caleb in the eye since the mouth to mouth incident, especially after cutting fourth period today and walking in on he and Sarah in a rather compromising position. Needless to say, Holly would not be going barefoot in their room again. She would wear socks to the shower.

"Holly?" Holly looked up from the notebook she'd been writing in to see Caleb grinning rather uncomfortably down at her, scratching the back of his neck.

"Unfortunately, yes." Caleb grinned at her, and she looked down again. "Look, I don't think this is gonna work. No offense, or anything-" she wanted him to stop looking concerned "-but I can't afford a tutor. I mean, I'll figure it out eventually. My brother just started here this year, and my parents can't pay for anything more than what they already do with two tuition bills. So thanks anyways." She rose, gathering her books and papers quickly and stuffing the into her worn leather bag. She didn't notice the look on Caleb's face as it changed from thoughtful to almost… triumphant.

"Look, we can work out some kind of… non-monetary payment." Holly met his gaze warily. This can mean nothing good…