How Bad Can A Good Girl Get?

Chapter 2

I bumped into the same guy three days later, except it wasn't at school and it was at my parent's place.

Let me rewind.

My parents, Oliver and Mary Romero, were quite fond of throwing parties - not the cool rave type, but the boring, "would you like some cheesecake?", old-people type. My mother seemed to know everyone in our neighborhood, and she was always gossiping about them as well.

Today, she'd announced that she'd invited the Lars family to our house for dinner. This was nothing new, since Mom invited people over all the time. What was new was that I'd never actually met the Lars' -- they had just moved into our neighborhood.

What I also didn't expect was to find that the Lars family included the guy who tried to cheat off of my Biology paper.

"Mary, thank you so much for inviting us today." Mrs. Lars beamed at my mother as she engulfed her in a hug. She radiated friendliness, which made me wonder how she could have such an idiot for a son.

"It's no problem, Barbara. Have you met my daughter, Storm?"

That was my cue to smile and extend my arm for a handshake. "It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Lars." But my eyes were trained not on Mrs Lars but her son, who was eyeing me with a smile of faint amusement on his lips.

"Storm, I trust you've met my son, Joaquin? I believe he's in your grade." So that was his name. Mr. Lars gestured Joaquin forward. He was still smirking. It took all of my self-control to not slap that smirk right off of him.

Instead, I continued smiling. "Yes, Joaquin is in my Biology class. We sit next to each other."

"Biology, eh?" Mrs Lars remarked as we made our way to the dining room, which my mother had set up immaculately. "Do you enjoy biology, Storm dear?"

"I think it's an interesting topic." We sat down around the table, and I made sure to continue beaming at our guests. Joaquin was still smirking, and as I continued to tell his mother about biology, I saw him flash a quick wink in my direction.

Oh, so you think this is funny? Underneath the table, my hands balled into fists. I focused on calming my breathing -- in, out, in, out. Ignore him, Storm, he's just another jerk.

"You know Joaquin here has been having a bit of trouble in Biology lately," Holden Lars, Joaquin's father, piped in between mouthfuls of mashed potato. "I was just talking to your mother over the phone -- you're quite the straight-A student."

"Destined for greatness, as I always say," my Dad said, beaming at me with pride.

I couldn't help but blush a little. "Well, I work hard for those A's. It's an uphill battle."

"Say, Storm," Mrs. Lars put down her fork and clasped her hands together. "Would you be interested in tutoring Joaquin biology? Just on the weekends. And we'll pay, of course."

I paused. On the other side of the table, I saw Joaquin's head snap towards his mother. His smirk was gone. It was obvious he hadn't known about this arrangement.

"Storm, sweetie, this would be a good experience for you. You could put it on your resume!" My mother agreed, smiling, then turned to Mrs. Lars. "And, Barbara, there's no need to pay. I'm sure Storm would be happy to tutor Joaquin."

"No, no, I insist. Your daughter will be putting in hard work. How about $50 an hour?" Mrs. Lars looked expectantly at me, as did her husband and my parents.

I looked towards Joaquin, who seemed frozen in place. Despite myself, I couldn't help but smirk. $50 an hour to be in charge over the rude boy while also seeming like an angel? It was too good to be true.

Clearing my throat, I plastered on my signature gleaming smile. "Mrs. Lars, you're too generous! Of course I'll be happy to tutor Joaquin."

"It's settled then." My Dad leaned over to shake Mrs. Lars' hand, semi-mockingly. They laughed. "When do you want Storm to start, Barbara?"

"How about next Saturday? Is that okay, Storm?"

I nodded firmly, my lips curling into a smile. "That'll be perfect, Mrs. Lars."