Free Studying Boys by Stephie Davis Page B

what it was.
    "You're a study freak."
    "I'm a freak?" I mean, I was well aware I was hardly a social diva and I knew that boys weren't exactly falling all over me, but a freak? How could I ever have liked this guy? I scowled at him. "George doesn't think I'm a freak."
    "George?" Theo looked completely confused. "George who?"
    "George Moon." I lifted my chin. "He asked me out on a date."
    "Well, good for him." Theo didn't seem to care at all that I was being sought after by other guys, which was fine. I didn't need him to care. Not anymore. "It doesn't change the fact that if you want this thing to work, you need to change." He glowered at me. "Even I can't get people to show up for the kind of night you want to organize. Lighten up, or you're out of luck."
    "I don't need to lighten up!"
    "No?" His eyes were flashing a challenge.
    "I'm perfectly light."
    He actually grinned. "Frances, you're the most uptight person I know."
    I set my hands on my hips. "I'm not uptight."
    "Want me to prove it?"
    "You can't." Theo proving I was uptight? That didn't sound like a good experience.
    "Friday night."
    I blinked. "What about Friday night?"
    "Be at my house at seven."
    "Why?"
    "You want my help on this thing?"
    "No, I don't want your help." Not like I had a choice. Theo was the only pied piper of teenagers I knew. "Besides, I have a date Friday night at seven." Did I sound cool or what? I had a date.
    He narrowed his eyes. "With George."
    "Uh huh."
    "Where?"
    "Movies."
    He lifted a brow. "You really do have a date?"
    "Well, of course I do. Apparently, being studious is attractive to the right type of guy." I glared at him. "So there."
    He shrugged. "Whatever."
    He started to turn away and I grabbed his arm. "So, are you going to make them turn off the music and put away the food and work? I have a schedule."
    "No."
    "No, what?"
    "You're pushing it too far. Change or fail. Call me when you decide." And then he walked out the door and slammed it behind him.
    And to think Theo had girls falling all over him. I simply couldn't see it happening.
    But that was fine he was gone. The Homework Club was all mine now.
    I walked over to the stereo and turned it off, prompting a number of protests. I held up my hands,
    and suddenly realized that I was a freshman in a room full of seniors, and I'd just turned off the stereo.
    Had I lost my mind?
    This was why I needed Theo's help.
    Then I scowled. I didn't need his help. I'd show him I was right. People would discover how much fun it was to study. And everything would be good. I held up my schedule. "Thanks for coming. There are specific rooms designated for each subject." I started to rattle them off, but no one moved. They just stared at me.
    I cleared my throat. "We'll study for forty-five minutes, and then there will be a rotation." I sought out Allie, who was in the corner with some guy. "Allie, will you take down the Nerf hoop, please?"
    Some tall guy moved in front of it to block it, and Allie glanced at me, and sat down.
    Great. Mutiny by one of my best friends.
    "So, where's the fun?" a redhead asked.
    "This isn't about fun. It's about homework. You guys will get better grades. What more do you need?"
    "Not this." The Nerf hoop guy grabbed the hoop off the door, picked up his backpack and a textbook and walked out.
    The redhead followed him.
    And in about thirty seconds, the house was empty.
    "That was impressive," Allie said. She hadn't moved from her spot. "I've never seen anyone end a party so quickly."
    "It wasn't a party." Why couldn't anyone understand that?
    "You need to chill out, Frances," Allie said.
    What? Allie too? "But..." I wasn't uptight, really I wasn't. I just had responsibilities and I was trying to do a good job and...
    I turned to the stairs, where Blue and Natalie were still sitting. "Do you guys think I'm too uptight?"
    Blue shifted. "You do study a lot."
    "Natalie?"
    She looked at Allie and Blue, then sort of shrugged. "You might be a little rigid sometimes."
    Me,