Free Investigating the Hottie by Juli Alexander Page A

us staring at him. I said, “All you have to do is sit there. I have to actually figure out what she’s talking about.”
    “True,” Alana said, “but he’ll be next. I’ll use you to show him the same thing.”
    Oh no! My eyes widened.
    Will smiled wickedly as if to say, “You’ll see how fun it is to have people staring at you.”
    I knew I should have used more concealer on that zit this morning.
    The idea of Will studying my face robbed me of the enjoyment of looking at his. Well, almost. His perfect skin. And I really liked his lips. And his dark, wavy hair. He had this energy about him, confidence maybe, that made him even more attractive. Did I mention his gorgeous blue eyes?
    Alana walked over to me. “Okay, Will. See how the light leaves shadows, but her nose and cheekbones—”
    I turned ever so slightly to show more of the zitless side.
    “Okay, I think he gets it.” I waved her off.
    “Oh, no,” he said. “I don’t get it.”
    I tried to concentrate on what Alana said, but all I could do was try to fight a panicky feeling. He was concentrating all his attention on looking at me.
    Oh my God! Please don’t let there be anything hanging out of my nose. My nose which probably appeared gigantic next to Alana’s pert little nose anyway. Crap.
    And the thin little lips that I hated. I had to line the outside of them if I wore lipstick, otherwise they looked ridiculous. They hadn’t bothered me so much until now. He was probably trying to figure out why he couldn’t see my lips. He probably thought I was some kind of lipless freak.
    At least my eyes were okay. Unless, did I . . . Please let me have checked my eyes for goop this morning. I was starting to have trouble breathing.
    “Okay, class,” the teacher interrupted.
    Thank goodness. Alana sat down, and Will turned his attention to the teacher. I’d survived.
    “Pick up a project list on your way out. I’ve tried to give you a good variety, in order to focus on your strengths.”
    Since I had no strengths, I didn’t pay much attention until I heard the words “computer graphics.”
    I tuned in. “We have limited resources for the computer projects, so only a few of you can choose it. You’ll need to work with a partner, and you’ll present an initial project on Monday to show you are serious about it.”
    Music to my ears. A computer project with a Monday deadline. Finally, a break in my case.
    I smacked Will on the arm. “Let’s do it.”
    He looked at me. “Seriously?”
    “Yeah.” I nodded.
    “I don’t know,” he said, and turned back to listen to the teacher.
    Alana leaned over to me and whispered, “I knew she’d bail him out. She wouldn’t let him fail. Everybody knows he’s good with computers. His presentations are always stellar.”
    I looked over at Will. If my aunt arrested him, could I still date him? Probably not.
    The teacher finished it up just as the bell rang.
    Will headed quickly for the door, but she held him up. “Will, Amanda, do you have a minute?”
    “Sure,” Will said.
    I just nodded.
    “Did you hear what I was saying about the computer graphics project?” she asked.
    “Yes,” Will said, clearly planning to follow it with a ‘but.’
    “We’d love to do it.” I jumped in. “Thanks.”
    She smiled at me. “Well, I know Will can do a good job at this. Are you comfortable with computers?”
    “Oh, yeah.” I shrugged, trying to tone down the enthusiasm. “I’m no genius, but I’m okay.”
    Will grimaced.
    “Wonderful.” She was the oldest teacher I’d had, but she looked younger when she smiled. “I’ll get the tutorial ready, and you can start tomorrow.”
    She was obviously thrilled to find a way to pass us.
    “Thanks,” I said.
    “Thanks,” Will grumbled.
    Will walked so quickly I had to really struggle to catch up.
    “Will, I’m not trying to just latch onto your brains. I can hold my own. We’ll do a good job.”
    He stopped, eyed me, and opened his mouth. Then he said,