Tutor

Four

Odell

All weekend I haven't been able to stop thinking about this tutoring thing. Monday could not come quick enough. I think I prayed every night that the person I'm tutoring isn't Demi, or her football playing and ass kicking boyfriend.

I headed straight for Mr Atkins office when I got to school on Monday morning. I lightly knocked on the door and only stepped through when I was given permission. The room was empty other than Mr Atkins who was sat at his desk, typing away on his laptop. He turned to me with a smile.

"Hi, Mr Beckham, we're just waiting for our other student to get here and then we can get started" I nodded and took a seat as Mr Atkins turned his attention back to his laptop. I glanced up at the clock on the wall and decided to watch the time go by. 8 o'clock quickly went and it wasn't until 8:15 that there was another knock on the door. I glanced to Mr Atkins. "That'll be Miss Lovato, late as always" Lovato? No. I can't tutor Demi. My heart began to hammer against my ribcage as he called for the person, who I'm assuming is Demi, to enter the office. My breath honestly caught in my throat at the sight of her. "You are late, Miss Lovato. This meeting was supposed to start 15 minutes ago" I glanced back to Mr Atkins who was watching her with raised eyebrows, waiting to hear her excuse.

"I-I am so sorry. My alarm didn't go off."

"Take a seat" I could practically feel the heat radiating off her as she slid into the seat beside me. She smelt like a mixture of coconut and vanilla, the scent completely invaded my nostrils and I couldn't think of anything else. I couldn't look at her even as I felt her eyes burning into the side of my face. "You both know why you're here; I assume?" in the corner of my eye, I saw Demi nod as she glanced to Mr Atkins. "Ms Martel has asked Odell here to be your tutor for math, Demi. Ms Martel wants you to redo the exams that you failed at the end of next month, in the hopes that you will pass. You can get together as much as you want, I'm sure you both have free periods that you can spend in the library" Mr Atkins eyes flashed from me to Demi. "It's really important that you take this seriously, Demi, because without this, you will fail and you will have to repeat the year" I heard her sigh so I glanced to her. She turned to me and her eyes locked with mine for a moment. My heart skipped several beats as I stared into her honey irises. I think they are the most gorgeous brown I've ever seen. Before I could get too transfixed by them, she turned back to Mr Atkins.

"Free periods, got it."

"You may also need to do sessions outside of school. It would be a good idea for you both to exchange numbers" I could tell just by the tension in Demi's jaw, that she wanted to argue. "Do you both have a free period today?"

"Yeah, I'm free at 1, after lunch."

"Odell?" before I could answer though, Demi spoke up.

"Sir, I already have plans for free period" I rolled my eyes and glanced down at my hands.

"I assume these plans have something to do with schoolwork?" she didn't reply. "Thought so. Odell?"

"I-I'm free at 1 too."

"Good" he lightly smiled. "I want you both to get together. Go into the library or a free classroom, I don't care. We will get you to pass, Demetria. You can both leave" Demi wasted no time in getting out of the office. I glanced to Mr Atkins as I stood from the chair. "Good luck, Mr Beckham" I gave him a brief smile before I headed out of the office. I wasn't surprised to find that Demi was nowhere around. This is going to be a challenge.

—

Lunch rolled around and I hadn't seen Demi since she practically stormed from Mr Atkins office. I don't even know if I want to tutor her anymore.

Who doesn't care about their own future? Who doesn't want to get good grades and be able to make a living?

"Odell, isn't it?" I jumped at the soft voice and turned from my locker to find Demi. She was stood with her arms crossed over her chest and she was glancing around as if fearful someone in her inner circle would see her talking to me.

"Erm yeah?"

"Meet me in the room off the library at 1."

"Are you actually going to take this seriously, Demi?" her eyes locked with mine as her lips pursed, those oh so kissable lips that I would love to kiss. I bet she uses flavoured lip gloss. I bet it's cherry. I bet she's an amazing...

"Odell?" I jumped from my stare at her lips, my cheeks beginning to heat up as those gorgeous lips twitched into a smirk. "1. Don't be late."

"I think it's you who needs to remember that" I felt like my body was overheating as she remained stood so close to me.

"Demi?" she tensed and moved herself away from me, plastering a smile onto her face as one of her many friends skipped over. The blonde gave me a look but then focused on Demi. "You coming to lunch? Are you still able to skip?" I turned to my locker and tried to act as if I wasn't listening in on their conversation.

"I-I can't..."

"Why not?"

"I need to study" the blonde laughed. I rolled my eyes as I dumped stuff I didn't need into my locker. Do all of the populars just believe they have a free ride to college?

"Study? Babe, when did you start studying?"

"When I started to care about my future, Alice. Are we going to lunch?" Demi adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder.

"What was you doing with the nerd anyway?" I heard Alice ask as they began down the corridor. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, slamming my locker shut and heading down towards the cafeteria. Lord give me strength.

——