No. You did not just say that
Me
What’s wrong with that?
But instead of just responding to my question like a normal person, he calls me. I stare at my phone, nerves skyrocketing. I’ve never talked to him on the phone before.
You’re being ridiculous, Dot. It’s no big deal, just answer.
I lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“That statement was basically an invitation for me to convert you.” He sighs dramatically. “I’m going to let you borrow some books.”
I try to hide my smile and sound annoyed. “I’m supposed to go to Yale. Or maybe Harvard. I don’t have time to read for fun.”
“You need to be well-read to get into those schools. Maybe you should start with the classics.”
“I’ve read the classics!” But it’s a lie. I can’t remember the last classic novel I read. One of the nice things about homeschooling was being allowed to mostly study my areas of interest instead of having to study everything within each subject.
“You haven’t even readWuthering Heights,” says Zayne. The disapproval in his tone makes me grin.
“That’s literally one classic I haven’t read. So what?”
“Okay. Name your favorite classic novel then.”
I remain silent for too long, my brain scrambling for a title. Any title.
“Hello?” There’s a smugness in his voice that irritates me.
“Charlotte’s Web,” I say with feigned confidence.
Silence.
When he speaks, it sounds like he’s trying really hard not to laugh. “When did you last read Charlotte’s Web?”
I sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe fifth grade?”
“Like I said before…I’ll be loaning you some books.”
I pick at the yarn on one of my wall tapestries. “I won’t enjoy it.”
“Oh yeah? What’s your favorite movie?”
“Clueless.”Finally, an easy question.I’ve probably watched it at least twenty tines, and it never gets old.
“Perfect. I know which classic novel to let you borrow first.”
My brows furrow. “Which one?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I bite my lip to keep from smiling at the image of Zayne trying to find a book for me to read off that massive shelf of his. He’ll probably get distracted in the process and end up lost in a book. I have to admit, I wish I could be like that. I’ve always envied people who can completely block out what’s happening around them and obsess over characters made of ink and paper. “Fine, you nerd.”
“A compliment from Dot Bennett? I think I just went into shock.”
Chapter Fourteen
Monday morning after homeroom, the smell of pumpkin is in the air. Since it’s October, it’s only to be expected. But I’m still pleasantly surprised when I see pumpkin loaf on the lunch menu as I pass the serving station on my way to a table to wait for Carlton, Rue, and the twins.
