The New Kid | lrh

Chapter 3

The study session was going well. Luke was teaching me how to use a graphing calculator for trigonometry.

"Press the 'trig' button." He pointed out on the calculator.

I did what he showed me and punched in the equation. I thought I solved the problem correctly. "Did I do it right?"

"No," he laughed. "You used cosine."

"Ugh," I lightly hit my head on the table.

"Hey, stop that. You're still learning." He cooed.

I looked up and rolled my eyes at him. "Why do I have to learn this? It's not like I need this after high school."

"True... What do you plan on doing after high school?" He asked.

"Why do you care?" I spit.

Truth is, I didn't really talk to people about personal details. Violet and Michael were the only people who knew more than just my name.

"Just making conversation... Sorry."

I'm such a bitch. Why did I have to say that? Ugh.

"No, don't apologize. I just don't tell personal details to many people, especially people I just met."

"What can I do to get to know you?" He pressed.

"Get my grades up and I'll tell you a little bit about me. Deal?"

He shook my hand. I liked this kid. He was a cute awkward guy. Sometimes a little cocky.

Was I catching feelings? Oh no. Make it stop.

"I probably should get going." Luke said, while he started packing up his things.

What, no. Don't leave.

"Why?"

"I have to go home and eat something." He chuckled, standing up from our table.

"How about we grab a bite? There's this really good pizza place near my house!"

He thought about it, shifting his weight onto his right foot. "I could go for a bite. You paying?"

"I mean, I guess I can-"

"I'm kidding. I can pay for my meal."

"Oh, good."

I quickly packed up my trig papers and threw them into my bag as Luke waited for me at the door.

We walked down the street until the pizza parlor came into view. The smell of pepperoni pizza filled the air making my stomach grumble. Pepperoni was my absolute favorite.

Luke got us a seated in a booth before we put in an order for pepperoni pizza.

"How do we split the check?" I asked, I only had a twenty on me.

"I can pay for it."

"This isn't a date though, I should pay for my meal." I tried to reason.

"Well I am tutoring you for free, so I guess you can pay for your own meal."

He had a good sense of humor. He didn't look like a stereotypical nerd. Maybe I judged him too quickly.

"You're different."

I did not just say that out loud.

"What?"

I said it out loud. I say stupid stuff when I'm nervous. Oh my god.

"Uh, you're different. I was wrong about you."

He was quiet for a second before speaking up. "I'm glad I could prove you wrong. I'm not a typical nerd, if that's what you're getting at."

I stayed silent.

"I mean, I am a nerd when it comes to math. But I hate school, I'd rather be doing something else... Like playing music."

"Do you play an instrument?" I genuinely asked. I wanted to get to know him.

"Yeah, I play guitar. I can kinda sing too."

"You'll have to show me some time."

He looked surprised that I said that. I was even more surprised that I had said that.

"Sure, maybe our next study session can be at my house."

"Depends on where you live. I wouldn't want to get jumped on the way home." I joked.

"I live near here."

I did too. Oh.

Turns out he lives a few streets away from me and it's in walking distance. He gave me his address before we ended leaving the pizza parlor. He said he'd walk me home since it was on the way, even though he kind of had to walk with me anyway. We had a short conversation as we walked. It was about the music we listened too. He looked a lot of the bands that I liked. It was rare that I guy I had become friends with listened to same kind of music as me, besides Michael. He got me into some bands besides the ones I had already listened to.

"Blink or All Time Low? You can't say both." I said, knowing from what he told me, that those were some of his favorites.

"I can't pick! Those are some of my favorites!" He grumbled. "I'm not choosing." He huffed. "That's like telling you to choose between your favorite food."

"I have a lot of favorites. Don't get me started."

The conversation had come to halt when we arrived at my house.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as I spoke. "Thanks for walking me home, Luke." I gave him a small smile.

"It was no problem. I better get going too."

"Make sure you tell me you get home safe."

Where did that come from? Why do I even care?

"How would I tell you?"

I handed him my phone with a new contact information page up on the screen. "Text me."

He put in his number and handed me my phone back. I texted him so he'd have my number.

"See ya tomorrow, Zoe."

I unlocked the door to find an empty house. My parents weren't home. They were still in the Bahamas without me. They vacationed a lot. I remember one time, I asked if I could go with them. Wanna know what they said? I should focus on school. The last vacation I took was Disney World when I was five. I'm now almost eighteen.

I got ready for bed and climbed into my bed. I wore an oversized shirt and a pair of spandex. My phone dinged on my nightstand, as I finished up my night routine. I turned my lamp off before reaching for my phone.

Luke: Made it home safe

I replied.

Me: Good. See ya tomorrow. Good night, Luke

Luke: Good night, Zoe

I don't know what I was feeling. But I liked it. I was looking forward to my next study session.