Living with Trouble

Chapter 4

Baby, you're so fine will you be mine? Not just for the night.

☆

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Yes, Come in."

I twist the knob and push the door open. I was in the science room. Mr. Myers was sitting in his corner of the room eating a firehouse sub. The smell of mustard and tomatoes pervaded the room. I scrunch my nose walking in further.

"You wanted to see me."

He looks up from his sandwich beckoning me over. "Oh yes, come sit."

I pulled a chair out and sat down with my backpack still on. My nimble fingers twirled one of the straps mindlessly.

Mr. Myers takes a napkin and wipes his mouth before typing on his computer. He was wearing a checkered yellow and black shirt paired with khakis. His hair was balding at the top and his glasses sat flat on his face.

"Aniya, you have a 56 in my class," he turns the monitor's screen my way. A big pixelated 56 stood next to my name in disappointment. I grimaced gnawing on my bottom lip. That wasn't there last time I checked.

"It's the middle of the second semester, and report cards will be coming out soon. I've been watching you and noticed you have a hard time keeping up," he places his elbows on his desk uniting his fingers.

I nodded waiting for him to continue.

"I suggest you get a tutor. Unfortunately, I can't be one for you because my schedule is too busy, but I do have someone in mind who can help you."

"Who?"

He grabs the mouse making a few clicks here and there. He then grabs a sticky note and writes down a series of numbers. He hands me the paper, and I skim the paper, it's a phone number.

"Call that number, he's one of my best students. If you get a good score on your next exam and complete all the extra credit work I offer. We can bring that grade up to an A-minus at most."

I bob my head, stuffing the sticky note into my bag. "Thank you, Mr. Myers, I really appreciate it."

He chuckles, waving me off. "It's nothing, just doing my job. You may leave now."

I nod getting up from my seat. "Have a good evening!"

"MOM," I call as soon as I get to the house. I hang the keys to the car Kendall is allowing me to use on the hook by the door.

"WHAT?"

I follow her voice to the living room. She's sitting on the stool by the bar scrolling on her phone. Her crinkly hair; which is normally pinned up, is free framing her face.

"I talked to my teacher today, he says I need a tutor for my grades to go up." I sigh plopping down on the couch.

"Hmm, and where are you going to get a tutor from?"

"I take my sticky note out waving it in the air like a flag. "He gave me some guy's number to call."

"Well, call him," she swivels in her seat.

I turn my phone on and begin to type in the number. My phone purrs as I wait for someone to pick up. My fingers tap the arm of the chairs in anticipation.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this..." I pull my phone back looking at the number. Mr. Myers never gave me a name. "Hey, do you go to Ravenwood?"

He responds back with an answer sounding more like a question. "Yes?"

"Oh, I have Mr. Myers, and he gave me your number, he said you could tutor me-" I turn my head when I hear footsteps approaching. Victor breaks the corner with his phone pressed to his ear.