Riding the Universe Read Online Free

concerned about me when you said I have a lot to worry about, and I wanted to show that I care about you too. It’s just in my personality to reciprocate.”
    â€œAnd how many personalities do you have exactly?” He gives me a facetious smile. “Four, five?”
    I give a fake gasp. I’m actually proud of him. Gordon is not only cute but competitive as well!
    Before I can answer, he tries to put an end to our peertutoring fun. “Why don’t you just finish the problems I gave you so I can get home to more important things ?” he says.
    I knew it. I imagine flicking a bent staple off the end of my pencil right at Gordon’s forehead. Smack! Right in the middle. One more…smack!
    â€œMore important things?” I stare at him in disbelief, but he just scribbles and scribbles, ignoring me as if I’m too insignificant to have a conversation with. “Hey…does God ever consult you for advice? Don’t get mad at me, I was just wondering.” Oh, yes, he wants a battle, he’ll get one.
    Gordon looks up at me, and I totally think he’s going to suggest that I get paired up with a different tutor, someone who I’d get along with better, when I see something—a little smile emerging on his lips. “Yes, on occasion, God and I hang out.”
    He can kid! He may be human yet.
    â€œFor the record, you started it.” I smile, much to my own chagrin.
    â€œFor the record, Motor Girl, you know nothing about me. So don’t assume anything.”
    Hmm, I can’t say he’s wrong, even though he’s a dork for calling me “Motor Girl” again. I don’t know him. And he doesn’t know me, so touché. “Same goes for you. I may not be the best at chemistry, but otherwise, I have nothing to worry about. I know I don’t have to explain this to you, but I am not the illiterate imbecile you probably think I am.”
    In fact, except for losing Seth, my life is just spiffy. Keeping safe from any more heartbreak is my main goal. That, not chemistry, is my biggest worry, Gordon. Althoughbalancing C 3 H 8 + O 2 = CO 2 + H 2 O is quickly climbing the ranks.
    â€œWell, now that that’s squared off, can we please finish?” he asks.
    â€œFine.”
    We say nothing else. I work on the equations, trying my best to remember what Gordon explained. I just don’t know why we’re forced to study things we’re not meant for. I don’t have any choice, though, or I’ll be handing Lolita over to my dad by the end of the school year.
    â€œTime’s up,” Gordon says, starting to pack up his things. I glance at my cell. Three twenty-five. We have five more minutes. I spin the notebook around for him to check my answers.
    His eyes speed over them left to right. “You may be a very well-adjusted individual, one who doesn’t need to explain herself to me ever…” He leans over and proceeds to correct half of my conversions, putting a tiny 2 under the last chlorine symbol. “But I’m sorry to tell you that you still need a tutor.”
    â€œRight.” I check out the grime clinging to the auditorium chairs.
    â€œAnd for your information,” he says, zipping up his backpack, “I’m not anal. But if that’s how you perceive me, who am I to argue?”
    â€œGood. And for your information, I don’t have multiple personalities.” I’ll give Gordon props for one thing: Kidding or not—the guy knows how to push my buttons.
    That’s a first.
    I collect my things and pack them carefully for the wetride ahead. Maybe the rain has died down by now and I can take Lolita on a slow coast home. It would be so nice to let the memory of this first tutoring session drip behind me until my head is empty. I put on my jacket, tuck my helmet under my arm. Maybe it’s time to call a truce with Gordon, too. I hold out my hand. “Look, I really do appreciate your