Even the Score Read Online Free Page B

older than twelve? Most definitely, she decided. With the chunky necklace over the collared shirt and the cuffed jeans she’d seen the girls at the high school wearing, she could pass for fourteen. Especially with the thick black mascara she’d bought at the drugstore highlighting her green eyes.
    She held up silver hoop earrings to her ears. Would these bring her to fifteen? She really wanted to look fifteen today. Totally sophisticated.
    Alex slipped them on, thankful that her dad was out for a run. He’d been in a good mood since the Tigers’ victory over the Ravens last night, but even so, he wouldn’t approve. He hated makeup and big jewelry.
    Alex made her way cautiously down the stairs. The house was quiet. Her mom was in the garage, working on her pottery. She’d set up a mini studio on one side, their red SUV exiled to the driveway. Tommy was . . . well, she had no idea. She recalled him saying something about going to the library, or maybe it was to Whataburger. Probably Whataburger. Food always won out for Tommy.
    Her stomach tightened. Stop it, she told herself. You can’t be nervous about going into your own kitchen.
    But she was.
    She paused, listening to the low tones of Ava’s and Luke’s voices. She wondered if she could convince her parents that she needed a tutor too. Ava was so lucky.
    Alex straightened her necklace, took a deep breath, and entered the kitchen.
    Luke Grabowski sat next to her sister at the round table. A science textbook lay open betweenthem. Luke reached across Ava and pointed to a graph, explaining the rate of photosynthesis.
    Alex tried not to stare at him, but it was impossible. His pale-blue eyes reminded her of the sky in July. His sandy hair curled adorably near his ears, and when he smiled, he had a dimple in his right cheek. And he was smart. That was why Tommy had suggested having him tutor Ava, who always struggled with homework. Luke was in high school, like Tommy.
    When Alex had first met her twin’s tutor, she’d gone speechless. Since then, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. If anyone could take her mind off cute Corey, it was even-cuter Luke.
    Ava lifted her head, noticing Alex. She raised her eyebrows at her sister’s outfit and makeup.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œNowhere,” Alex said breezily. “Just studying.”
    â€œOh, really,” Ava said knowingly. Ava wore a faded sweatshirt, shorts, and flip-flops. Almost the same outfit Alex had on before Luke arrived.
    â€œSo photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into what?” Luke asked.
    Alex hovered by the counter, hoping he would look up and notice her. She pretended to inspect the apples in the fruit bowl.
    â€œCome on, we went over this,” he encouraged Ava.
    â€œYeah, I know.” Ava stalled, biting her lip. “How about a hint?”
    â€œEnergy and—?” Luke said.
    Ava stared at the refrigerator door as if she’d find the answer written there.
    Come on, Ave, Alex thought. The answer’s so easy.
    Ava scrunched her forehead.
    â€œSugar,” Alex blurted out. She couldn’t hold back.
    â€œCorrect!” Luke caught her eye and grinned. Alex smiled back. She felt special, and then she felt absurd because she’d just completed that worksheet yesterday.
    â€œI knew that.” Ava groaned.
    â€œAva sometimes has problems focusing,” Alex explained to Luke.
    â€œAlex!” Ava cried.
    â€œSorry, Ave.” She was just trying to be helpful. Tommy had mentioned that Luke had a younger brother who also had difficulties in school, and she didn’t want him to think Ava wasn’t smart. They were a smart family. Luke should know that.
    â€œWhy are you here, Al? Do you need something?” Ava asked pointedly.
    â€œI was parched ,” Alex said, using one of her vocabulary words. She pulled a glass from the cabinet. She lifted the handle on