Mindlessly✔

Sink or swim

"Miss Davies?"

I'm halfway out of class when I hear my name. I turn towards the voice to see my History teacher looking at me, expectantly.

I straighten up in question. "Yes Mrs Simone?"

She gestures towards her table with a placid expression. "Please stay for a moment. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

My brain immediately goes into full overdrive, wondering what I might have done or what she might need from me.

What could she want to talk to me about?

"Oh, of course." I nod hesitantly, backing further away from the door.

She smiles as if to reassure me and some traces of worry dissolve from my mind but my curiosity heightens, causing anxiety to flood through me. One thing I wasn't a fan of was surprises. I liked control and knowing that the things I had control over were in order and just the way I wanted them to be.

"Christian Giovanni has requested for you to be his tutor in some subjects he's struggling with, if you can make yourself available."

Well, shit.

I stare at her in uncertainty. "Uhm-I don't think I'm the right person for that, Mrs Simone. I've never tutored anyone before."

"There's always a first time for everything." She states, like that will remove all my doubts. "You're one of our brightest students Skylar, that's why Christian chose you to be his tutor in the first place. I believe and trust that you'll do a great job."

Why do I get the feeling she has made her decision already?

I bite my lip, thinking of the best way to decline. Tutoring was a lot of work and also time consuming. I wasn't entirely ready for that kind of commitment.

"Of course he's also going to be paying you by the hour." She adjoins, in an effort to convince me.

I cock an eyebrow. Although there were a lot of ways this could be tedious for me, earning some extra cash wouldn't be so bad either.

"I'll check my schedule to see if I can be available." I respond.

She nods in satisfaction. "See that you do. Christian should meet with you later and you both can talk about how everything is going to be. I do hope you'll think about it and give me a positive answer, Miss Davies." She says in a dismissive tone as she turns to head back to her desk.

I guess I'm doing this then.

Crap.

I exit the class absentmindedly, with no idea on how to even begin. Questions about why Christian chose me fill my mind, bugging me. Although we only spoke the day he transferred here, it still felt strange that he would request for me to be his tutor. I wasn't even aware that students could actually ask teachers about needing one.

Now I had to make a decision soon, one that must obviously be in Christian's favour. What then was the point of deciding when Mrs Simone made it clear she wanted "a positive answer?"

"I was hoping I would run into you, Skylar."

A tall frame comes into view, blocking my path. Recognizing the smooth voice laced with its thick accent, I groan inwardly.