The bell for lunch rings.
After a couple of dreadful days engaging in a Socratic seminar of the Great Gatsby, the students were overwhelmed with relief as the class came to an end - part of the reason everyone was out in the first ten seconds it rang.
Once again, I am the only one in the classroom now.
I make my way toward Mr. Moore, who is currently patiently sitting at his desk, pretending to look at something on his computer as he tries to hide the smirk on his face from my presence.
"I can't believe what I am about to tell you," I start.
Mr. Moore peels his eyes off his computer screen and reaches into his drawer, pulling out a sheet of paper.
"Reese is expecting you in the library. I am sure he will be on time; I made sure he will be punctual," he tells me.
"What?" I tell him, dumbfounded.
"This sheet here tells you a general checklist of what I expect him to do during your time together. He will need to read The Crucible. At the end of each chapter, there are review questions he will need to answer. I want proof of discussion, and at the end of his reading, he will have to do an essay where you will provide him with the question."
"I haven't even told you my final decision," I tell him, a bit overwhelmed at the information.
"Well, what did you decide on?" he replies matter-of-factly.
This old hag.
"Fine, you got me," I tell him, feeling a bit annoyed that he thought I would not turn him down. "But I want extra credit for doing this."
"Deal," Mr. Moore tells me as he gets up from his seat. "Now, move along. Reese will be in the library in five minutes."
"What? I thought we were starting Monday?" I tell him as my nerves begin to increase. I was not prepared to tutor Reese today.
"You are," he responds. "But I wanted you two to meet today so you could review what I expect on the work regarding The Crucible. That way, you two can begin quickly on Monday and skip the introductions."
Before I knew it, Mr. Moore had dragged me out of the classroom. "You will do great, Aurora," he tells me. "If there's anyone that can be a mentor, it is you." And with that, he shuts the door in my face.
What the hell.
I start moving toward the library in a trance. I can feel my heart beating a thousand miles an hour, the chatter of students at lunch is distant in my mind, I unconsciously begin playing with the hair tie on my wrist.
Oh, get a grip Aurora. This is strictly professional.
Oh, but what if I am bad at it?
Then Mr. Moore can find someone else. There's always a solution to everything... right?
Before I know it, I reach the library doors.
Three deep breaths, I tell myself. I stand outside of the door, making sure no one can see me, and close my eyes.
Inhale... and exhale.
My mind immediately settles down.
And inhale... and exhale.
I begin feeling my nerves decrease, my body gaining composure.
And inhale... and ex-
"What the hell are you doing?" a deep voice tells me from behind.
I immediately turn around, hitting my head on a top, open locker someone didn't have the audacity to close.
Ouch.
My eyes look up and find themselves looking at beautiful, green eyes staring back. Their color was captivating this up close. It almost made up for the extreme frown that was currently on the boy's face. Almost.
"Reese," I say, rubbing my hand across my forehead, which was currently throbbing with pain.
"Uh... that's me," he says, annoyed.
This was already not going well.
"I am not sure if you know me," I begin, "I am the tutor Mr. Moore volunteered to help you. My name is-"
"Look," he cuts me off. "I don't care who you are. I never signed up for this shit. I don't need a fucking tutor. I am capable of doing my own work when I want to or not. I don't need your help," he bluntly says.
I stand there, not knowing what to say.
But before I can say another word, he walks away without sparing me another glance.
I keep my eyes on his retreating figure until he finally disappears when he makes a turn toward the right.
Although I did not want to admit it, I was kind of hurt that he did not even have the spirit to at least hear my name.
The foul language easily flowing out of him also made me a bit uneasy. I was not used to hearing all that.
I had gone over every scenario in my head about an encounter with Reese but had not pictured this happening.
