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Chapter 16

A kiss on the cheek from a boy was almost my first kiss.

I'll take it!

I floated through the weekend, my mind on King and his soft lips on my cheek. Why did he just kiss my cheek and not go for the kiss? Maybe something was wrong. Did my breath smell bad? I had just eaten smelly food. I should have chewed some gum or maybe popped a mint in my mouth. I would know that for the next time.

Hopefully, there was a next time.

I did not spend all of my time thinking of King, I did get a lot of studying done. I typed my notes on my tablet and color-coded them in files. I had five classes. English 101, College Algebra, Sociology, Intro to Business Ideas, and American Government. The only one that was naturally easy for me was the math class.

I had no idea about the topics in sociology, it was all new to me. English was a repeat of what I should know, but it was a lot of researching and writing papers. American Government was a lot of reading and several major tests to regurgitate it all out. Intro to Business, even though it was my major, felt all Greek to me.

I was going to need a lot of help.

I texted Todd, the guy I met at the football game. Allura already told me he was their school's valedictorian, so he did not lie about being that smart.

Hi Todd, it's Rayvn, Allura's roommate

There was not even a pause before he texted back.

Hey! What's up?

Wondering if I can take you up on that tutoring offer. I can pay

No, I wouldn't ask you to do that. I offered. I would love to help

Cool

When would you like to meet up?

After my last class tomorrow. Four o'clock, library. Does that work?

Sounds like a plan

Great

Monday I needed two Starbucks drinks to get me through the day. I had my first major paper in English due this week, probably another pop quiz in Sociology, and we had a test in our American Government class next week. I was not ready. No way, no how. But this was college.

I had to stay ready so I didn't have to get ready.

King offered to work together on our papers that were due Friday, I scheduled him for a Wednesday study day. I would have to lean on Mr. Perfect for my Sociology class. And I hoped Todd could get me through American Government. Turns out he was a Political Science major, so he knew more than enough about the government crap that I did not care about.

I was registered to vote! I had yet to vote in an election.

"Hey, Rayvn," Todd said when I met him in a study hall room that he'd already reserved.

"Thanks for meeting with me. I need at least a C in this class...well, all of my classes." I tossed my bag to the floor, holding my tablet and book in my arms.

"Because of your scholarship?"

Why would he assume I was on scholarship? There were many students at Mizzou not on scholarship. Mizzou cost thirty-two grand a year. Athletes were the biggest draw to the school and they all were on full-ride scholarships. Most of the minorities were on some type of scholarship with grants and loans filling in.

I had two small scholarships not making a dent. One from Angel's mom's sorority, another I simply got because I came from a low-income family. I also received a Pell Grant but again, that did not cover most of the tuition and none of the room and board. If it was not for the trust fund Angel set up for me, I would not be here at all, struggling with the super smart and rich kids.