Act Like You Know by Stephanie Perry Moore Read Free Book Online

a question? Okay, what was going on here? I didn’t even know this guy, and my heart was slightly racing. I didn’t like being out of control. I shouldn’t forget that he was a smart mouth and an unpleasant worm.
    â€œWe’ve covered four chapters—that’s enough for today,” I said as I grabbed my book, trying to gather myself.
    â€œYeah, I guess it’s time for us to go. What am I thinking? I can’t give you extra time.”
    We both stood at the same time, and though he towered over me, we were close. It seemed like our bodies wanted to mingle, but that couldn’t happen. He was the tutor; I was the student. No line could be crossed. So, without saying anything, we walked out of the classroom and went our separate ways. I took a deep breath, thinking, What in the world was that all about? Wow.
    Â 
    The nearby sister chapter was having a back-to-school jam. It was supposedly an annual affair for them. The girls in my Western Smith chapter were a little uneasy about going because they hadn’t had any interaction with the sister chapter since the sister chapter had lost a member in the hazing car accident last semester. I was in the car with Hayden, Bea, and Sharon on our way to the jam.
    â€œPenelope goes to school up here now,” Hayden said. “Oh, Alyx, sorry—Penelope is our former chapter soror who got suspended for hazing us.”
    â€œShe’s in grad school here?” Sharon said.
    â€œYep.”
    â€œWow, that’s great,” Bea said.
    â€œShe’s supposed to be having some kind of preparty for us at her place,” Hayden said.
    â€œWith drinks and stuff?” Bea said as she looked at me.
    â€œI am not going to be all wild,” I responded.
    â€œOh, we know you’re not. You ain’t drinking nothing,” Bea joked. “Everyone else in the car is a senior—not you, Miss Margarita.”
    â€œHa, ha, ha, ha, ha,” I joked.
    When we got to her place, there were Betas from the other school. Everyone gave hugs, and the sorors said they were still coping with the death of Rose from the car accident. They said they still missed her but were doing better. I hadn’t gone through all that with them, so I felt left out. I found a couch and just sat.
    Hearing words of their loss made me sad as I thought about my mom. Yeah, she was here now, but how would I feel when she was gone? Could I cope? Could I get through my pain? Could I keep on going?
    Then this guy plopped down beside me. I could tell his larger body wasn’t that of a female without even looking up.
    â€œWhy you looking so glum?” the husky voice said in my ear.
    â€œWhy do you care?” I said and then wanted to take back those words when I locked eyes with Cody Foxx.
    â€œIt’s you,” I said with excitement I couldn’t explain.
    â€œYep, it’s me.”
    Calming myself, I said, “I thought nerds didn’t do anything but study. You’re forty miles away from campus at a sorority party. What are you doing here?”
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” he asked.
    â€œI’m a Beta.”
    â€œI never would have thought that.”
    â€œWhy? Because I’m Spanish?” I said as my neck rolled. “It isn’t only an African American sorority, you know? Plus, I didn’t pledge here.”
    â€œOh, I didn’t mean you shouldn’t be a Beta because of your ethnicity. I meant because Betas get their work done, and you ... well ... need I say more?”
    He was trying to make a joke, but he wasn’t funny. I had a lot going on, and I thought for a second he would be a breath of fresh air. But maybe he wasn’t all that different from all the other guys.
    â€œI put my foot in my mouth big-time. I didn’t mean to make you sad again. You’re too cute to look gloomy,” he said.
    Butterflies flew in my belly. He’d just called me cute. But before I could even