My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 6

JENNIE'S POV

Today is Wednesday, and I'm scared as fuck.

Sure, I'm prepared. I've got all the chapter outlines and lecture slides printed out, and I even made flashcards for every single term. But even with all this, my stomach twists like it's about to betray me.

As soon as 6th period ends, I fast-walk straight to the library, my heart racing. I pick a quiet table tucked near a corner, where the windows let in a stream of soft, natural light. It feels peaceful, safe like the perfect spot for this moment.

I carefully unpack my bag and place everything we'll need on the table in neat stacks. I glance at my phone: 2:50 p.m. Class ended only five minutes ago.

Great. I'm probably way too early. It might take her a while to get here.

To distract myself, I open my notebook and grab a pencil. I start sketching to pass the time, letting the lines flow until the rough outline of a tiger takes shape on the page.

"Wow, nice tiger. Didn't know you were an artist."

Lisa's voice startles me so much I nearly drop my pencil.

"I'm not," I whisper, my throat tightening.

"Sure could've fooled me. Did you start drawing that today?" she asks, sliding into the seat right next to me like it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Yeah, I started when I got here," I reply, trying desperately not to get nervous from her closeness.

She checks her phone. The screen shows 3:05.

"Have you been here for twenty minutes already?" she asks, raising one eyebrow at me in that way that makes my chest tighten.

"Umm... no, more like fifteen minutes. It took me five minutes to walk here," I blurt out quickly.

Great. That probably made me sound lame. Why would I come here so fast?

"Sorry I kept you waiting. I didn't think you'd come straight here right after class," she says, her hand brushing lightly against my shoulder.

I quickly lower my gaze so she won't notice my face turning red.

"It's okay, no worries," I mumble.
Unexpectedly, Lisa reaches over and gently pushes a few strands of hair out of my face.

"I like being able to see your face," she says, making me blush even harder.

My heart skips. My hands tremble. And my brain screams at me to change the subject.

"We should start tutoring now," I say, avoiding her gaze.

She chuckles, grabbing her textbook. "Okay, let's start learning about chemistry, as if there wasn't already so much chemistry between us."

My eyes widen at her comment. Did she really just say that?

"Oh, you meant like... molecular forces of attraction, right?" I stammer.

Lisa smirks. "First of all, that's not what I meant. Second of all, what are those?"

"You don't know what it is?" I ask in disbelief.

"Nope," she says, her face dead serious.

"Okay, let me grab a page from chapter one. It's in there. Then we can go to our current chapter," I mutter, flipping through my notes.

She groans. "We'll probably have to stay on chapter one today, to be honest. I don't know shit."

"I doubt that," I reassure her.

Lisa pulls out her backpack and rummages through it before pulling out her test booklet. She flips it open and shoves it toward me.

She got a 20% on her last chemistry test.

"I guess Mrs. Jeon didn't tell you how stupid I am at chemistry," she mutters.

"You're not stupid, okay," I insist. "Maybe you just need to learn differently. Maybe your study habits just aren't working for you."

She leans forward, curious. "Alright then. Tell me your steps for preparing for tests."

"What steps? I have none," I reply honestly.

Her eyes widen. "You don't even read the textbook?"

"I just don't have time," she says, looking away.

"What do you mean? What do you do?" I ask gently.

"I have to work," she admits, her voice flat.

"Okay, but maybe you could ask your boss or manager to give you fewer hours or switch days with your coworkers so you can make time to study," I suggest.

"I can't do that. I need to work all those hours. I need the money," she replies firmly.

"Why do you need the money?" I ask, my curiosity spilling out.

She sighs heavily, her shoulders sinking. "You wouldn't get it. Look, I appreciate your help, but this probably won't work. I should just tell Mrs. Jeon to get you out of this tutoring thing."

Before I can respond, she's already packing her stuff, fast and rough, and walking out of the library.

I sit frozen for a moment, utterly confused.

What the fuck just happened?

But then instinct kicks in, and before I know it, I'm running out of the library, chasing after her. I grab her arm to stop her, and she spins around, her glare cold enough to freeze me in place.

"Let me go, Jennie," she grits out between her teeth.

"No!" The word bursts out of me, surprising both her and myself.

"What do you mean, no? Are you actually going to try to hold me here?" she snaps, her harsh tone making me want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

But something inside me flares up, anger, defiance, maybe courage. My chest tightens, and I force myself to speak.

"I'm not letting go of you, Lisa. I know you can pass chemistry. You're not dumb, okay? You just need to figure out a way to study in between work or even during work without getting caught. I can help you, Lisa. Just let me help you."

Her face softens at my words, the sharpness in her eyes dimming. "Why would you do this for me? Why are you trying so hard to help me?" she asks quietly.

"Because I know you can do it, Lisa," I say firmly.

She takes a few hesitant steps toward me, then suddenly pulls me into a tight embrace.

The warmth of her arms makes me forget how to breathe. I wrap my own arms around her instinctively, my voice trembling as I whisper, "I'm here for you. I'm not giving up on you, I promise."

"You shouldn't make promises like that," she murmurs against my shoulder. "Sometimes we can't keep promises."

I pull away just enough to look at her, my eyes determined. I lift my pinkie finger and hold it out between us.

"I promise not to leave or give up on you. And I sure as hell will keep my promise... Lisayah."

She stares at me, her eyes searching my face, as if trying to read every single thought I've ever had. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she raises her pinkie finger.

I hook mine with hers, grinning despite the storm in my chest.

She chuckles softly. "Wow. I can't believe I'm doing a pinkie swear with you."

"I guess you're not as tough as you think you are. Looks like you have a soft spot," I tease, poking her shoulder.

Lisa smirks, her eyes glinting. "Where did this playful side come from, hmm?"

"Why are you just standing there? Aren't you coming?" I ask with a smirk of my own, my heart racing faster than ever.