Page 50 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
“That’s actually a really strong thesis.”
“Yeah?” he sounds almost uncertain, like he’s not used to getting things right.
“Yeah. Now you just need evidence to support it.”
For the next hour, we actually work. Ryder reads passages I mark as important, and we discuss character motivation and symbolism. He takes messy, barely legible notes, but they’re his notes.
“Cool.” He writes something in his notebook, then looks up at me. “This actually makes sense now.”
“I’m glad.”
He closes his notebook. “This is actually enough to get started on the essay, right?”
“More than enough. Now you just have to write it.”
“Yeah, the hard part.”
“I can look it over when you’re done, if you want. Give you feedback before you turn it in.”
“That would be...” he trails off. “That would actually be helpful.”
I give him a closed-mouth smile and nod gently.
“Alice?” Ryder says as he stands from his seat.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry about planning to leave you at school.”
My chin drops in surprise.
“It was a crappy thing to do,” he continues. “You didn’t deserve that.”
I want to say thank you, but his admission keeps me on mute.
He moves away from the table, tapping his notebook. “This didn’t feel like a total waste of time.”
His footsteps echo down the hallway. My head still pounds, and my eyes feel gritty from crying. I should go to my room, lie down in the dark, and try to forget this entire day.
But as I gather my materials with shaking hands, Miranda’s voice carries from the foyer.
“Ryder, wait. How did it go?”
I freeze with my notebook clutched to my chest.
“Fine,” Ryder’s response is clipped. “She helped me outline the essay. I’ve got what I need.”
“Well, that’s a good start,” Miranda replies. “There’s a car outside. Did you call for it?”
“Yeah, I texted my driver earlier. I’m heading over to Chase’s to work on the bridge for the new track.”
“Don’t stay out too late. You have school tomorrow.”
“I know.”
Ryder’s heavy footsteps fade into the hallway, and nervous tension bubbles inside me as Miranda’s heels click my way.
“Alice?” she calls and then appears in the doorway. “How’d everything go?”
