nothing but a lost cause | wilbur soot

a/n + one

a/n: hi everyone!! so i initially published this book TWO years ago (can't believe its been two years since i wrote a book lol) but gave up on it because i got super busy with school. but thankfully I'm DONEEE WITH SCHOOL 4EVER !! and can now republish this. ofc, i will be editing along the way. but i just reread it recently and remembered that it was actually so cute??? so I'm gonna give it a new life!! hope y'all enjoy.

"That's bullshit. I swear, Mr.Jones just needs to retire with how he's acting."

"Better yet, get fired." Rachel rolls her eyes and I nod in agreement.

We sit in the library, having nothing to do during our free period. Last year, the seniors decided to skip school every day or whatever, so we get punished this year and aren't allowed off campus during school hours. All I want is some McDonald's, but I'll get suspended if I go. Love this school.

"So, have you told your dad yet?" Rachel asks. "About getting a C?"

I scoff and play with the keychain on my bag, which sits on my lap. "He wouldn't believe that his prodigy baby girl Quinn could ever get anything below an A. So, I'm not telling him. If he finds out, I'll say it was a practice test, or something. He always believes me when I say that."

"You're lucky your dad is so gullible." She groans, then we both look up at the door as it opens. Rachel groans again while I grin as John walks in.

John Jacobson (yes, a stupid name) has been obsessed with Rachel since the sixth grade when he moved here. I honestly don't get why she rejects him, since he's not bad looking, but she says he's just not her type. It's always been fun to tease her about him, though.

Surprisingly, he doesn't walk up to us, but he does give a quick wave and smile to Rachel. She just grins back, then frowns at me.

"You know, your kids would be really cute. His black hair, your green eyes."

"Oh, please shut up." She tells me, hating my jokes. "Honestly, you and Will breaking up was a blessing for me. John feels awkward around you, and I'm always with you, so it's helpful."

When teasing Rachel, I choose to forget that John is my ex's best friend. Us four used to constantly hang out, and Rachel even admitted to me that she could possibly like John. But, sadly, she revoked it the next day.

"Thank Wilbur, he's the one who cheated."

The bell cuts Rachel off before she can add a remark, so we both pick up our bags to go to our last period. Since Rachel's mom is a counselor here, we have the perk of getting the same schedule each year. It's pretty convenient, especially since we're not good friends with anyone else. Probably a social disadvantage, but most of the students here are assholes, anyway. 

"Speaking of Wilbur," Rachel mutters as we walk into class. We have first and fourth period with him, John also being in our fourth period.

"And your boyfriend," I tease with a grin. She just ignores it as we sit down, two rows ahead of the boys.

Long story short, Wilbur and I started dating in junior year, then he cheated on me at a party at the end of the summer, so we've been broken up for three months. I'm pretty much over him, and we're still friendly to each other, but he definitely isn't over me. His loss.

Class is long and boring as usual; Rachel and I just secretly texting the whole time. Once the final bell rings, everyone packs up their stuff and shuffles to the door, but the teacher calls me to her desk before I can leave. Rachel heads out the door without me and I go to Mrs. Kidd's desk.

"Hi Quinn," She says with a smile. "So, as we all know, you do very well with your grades."

I nod, awkwardly grinning at her. "Yes ma'am."

"Well, some people struggle a bit, especially in senior year when they think they can slack off. So, I was just wondering if you could help out one of your peers. Sofia told me that you two were friends, so I figured it would be fine. I thought that you two could just do the scheduling for after school whenever you want to study a bit, but if you're too busy, I can ask someone else."

I nod again, not really caring, since we only have three months left in this semester. "I can do it. Who is it?"

I feel someone's presence appear beside me and I immediately recognize the cologne I got him months ago.

"Wilbur," Mrs. Kidd says, smiling at both of us. "If you have any trouble, you know where I am."

"Thank you," We both say, and I try to walk out without talking to him, but he stops me in the hallway.

I look up at him and he adjusts his fluffy hair. I don't miss him--at all--but it's still weird to adjust from over a year of dating someone to rarely talking. "So, thanks for helping me."

"Yeah, sure," I pull out my phone and see that Rachel texted that she's waiting outside my car. "Uh, I have dance Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00 to 7:30. So, I can't do then. Every other day is good, if you wanna pick a day or two.

"Um, yeah," Wilbur puts his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "Are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays good? Or too much?"

I really don't want to see him three days a week, but I'd feel bad saying no. Why should I feel bad? He's the cheater. "Yeah, that's fine. You can just come home with me those days, and I can take you home after. But we'd just have to pick up Samuel, if you don't mind."

"That sounds good." Wilbur smiles at me. "See you tomorrow. Uh, have fun at ballet."

"Thanks," I say, then immediately head to the exit. I find Rachel by my car, and we get in.

"What'd she want?" She asks, and I sigh and look at her.

"I get to tutor Wilbur after school three days a week for the rest of the semester."

"No way!" Rachel laughs.

"And Mrs. Kidd said that you said me and him are friends, so I wouldn't mind doing it."

She giggles and shakes her head. "She literally asked if I knew anyone who was friends with him in the class other than John. I mentioned a few people, but I guess she likes you most."

I roll my eyes. "I'm glad I'm over him, 'cause it'd be torture otherwise. It'll definitely be a little awkward though."

"Yeah, have fun with that."