always , he hung back and waited for everyone else in the class to leave , so that the two of them ended up alone . i 'm perfectly still , trying not to react . `` even if i wanted to proceed with this , i ca n't pay you for the time . that was what grabbed me from my room and took me here . `` that 's only because you think he 's cute , '' her brother teased . he said at last , in a voice barely above a whisper . 