Bow Down or Break

Chapter Three

Mr. Styles was droning on about the current book being taught. His way of speaking usually kept Winnie's interest but today it was hard to stay focused. So much has already happened and it wasn't even time for lunch yet. It was all Winnie could think about. Usually, her days were very uneventful.

Typically, she doesn't even run into Kim or her suitors until night. So most of her days will pass with no problem. Not today though. No, not today.

Glancing at the clock told her class was about to let out. Thank fuck. It was so hard to pay attention and she needed a break from sitting in the hard, unmovable school seats.

"Class dismissed. Don't forget to read a chapter tonight! I will know tomorrow if you didn't."

Students began to scatter out of the class like a nest of bugs on a mission.

Winnie carefully approached Mr. Styles. She needed to talk to him about her current grade. She felt like she was falling behind and failing to keep up. Embarrassment caused red to rise on her cheeks, she didn't like needing help.

"Yes, Winifred? Is something wrong?"

"Um, not really, no. I just feel like my grade isn't where I want it to be."

"Oh? I think you're doing perfectly fine."

"I suppose... I'm just having a harder time with the current material and I'm worried my grade will drop more."

"I'm glad you're coming to me with your concerns. Hmm, well let me think. I don't have any extra credit available at the moment, but I might have a solution for you."

"Really? That would be a big help, seriously."

"I have a student who is currently excelling at the current material and I think they'd be open to helping you."

"Okay, if you think that would be beneficial."

"Great! Do you know Lewis Capaldi? He's an amazing student. I'm positive he'll tutor you."

Lewis damn Capaldi. What were the chances? If Winnie hadn't already agreed she'd be backing out the door by now.

"Um, we haven't officially met."

"I'm sure you'll get along great. Here, write down your contact information and I'll get it to him once he's here."

Winnie wrote down her name and number, leaving it with Mr. Styles.

It was her lunch period so she headed down to the cafeteria. She may be a loner but she wasn't some weirdo who hid in the bathrooms while she ate. She actually sat at a nice little table where two other loners ate as well. The three of them always ate in silence together, keeping a couple seats in between them.

After going through the line, Winnie sat in her typical spot. This was the best time in her school day. Or it would be if Phoebe wasn't heading towards her right now.

"Hey, candlestick. Are you seriously eating the garbage this school calls food?"

"Not everyone has the money to bring lunch, ya know."

"Are you trying to say I'm classist, candlestick? I'll have to disrespectfully disagree with you."

"Doesn't matter if you don't agree. Your behavior says it all."

Phoebe continued to stand over Winnie. She always seemed to keep herself in the automatic position of power.

"My issue with you, stick, doesn't have to do with your lack of money. I can promise you that."

"I don't really care what your issue with me is, Phoebe."

"You should. I'm the one who is going to decide on how the school year continues for you."

"Jesus, just leave me the hell alone. I'm a nobody. Why do you care to bother me anyway?"

"I actually don't think you're a nobody, Winnie. And that's the problem."

Phoebe walked away as if what she said last wasn't completely ominous. What could she have possibly meant?

The clock ticked by and eventually school was over.

Winnie made it home safely and locked the front door shut. She looked over the sad house she's lived in her entire like. The place looked gross. Once upon a time she supposed the carpet was cream but now it was hardened and browned from random spills. There were burned patches here and there. Kim would pass out with a cigarette dangling in her hand and the carpet never was spared. There were also the random men who put out cigarettes in the carpet as if they owned the place.

Winnie peeked through the opening in Kim's room, where a door used to be.

"Hey, baby. You look worn out", her mother rasped. She laid in the middle of her threadbare bead, clearly some type of high.

"Have you eaten today?"

"Hmm? Uh, oh, no. Coupla johns just left and I've been busy."

Of course Kim was drugged out. How else would she cope with the men that use up her body?

"I can make you a sandwich? I think we still have some bread and peanut butter."

"Hmm. Okay, Win. I should probably eat", the words were barely out of her mouth before she was drifting.

Winnie went into the small kitchen hiding in a corner of the house. A cockroach sped past her feet and she didn't even flinch. She was used to seeing them make her house their home. She made two peanut butter sandwiches knowing it'd be the last thing she ate for the rest of the night.

After leaving her mother's sandwich placed near her, Winnie went into her own bedroom and quietly shut the door.

She was halfway through her sandwich when her barely working phone pinged. She immediately noticed it was from Lewis so she programmed his name in her phone and read the text.

Tutor from Hell
"This is Lewis Capaldi. Mr. Styles gave me your number. Who'd have thought that Lilith herself would need my help?"

Winnie
"Lilith? Seriously."

Tutor from Hell
"I'm always very serious."

Tutor from Hell
"Sooo you need help with Mr. Styles' class, hmm?"

Winnie
"Just with the current subject."

Winnie
"I know you're one of Phoebe's lackeys but can we stay cordial during our tutor sessions?"

Tutor from Hell
"I'm not some lackey. If you're not wanting an issue you aren't doing a good job at showing it."

Winnie
"Fine. You're right. Sorry, I guess."

Tutor from Hell
"Good. I'll stay neutral during tutoring. So how soon are you wanting to get started? There's still time for me to come over to your place tonight."

Winnie
"We definitely can't do my place. Maybe we can just meet after school tomorrow. I think they leave the library open for students for a couple hours after class."

Tutor from Hell
"Sure. If that's what you want to do. I'll text you tomorrow"

Winnie knew Lewis meant he was going to message her about tutoring, but seeing that text made her heart race. She did her best to clear her mind and get homework done. She was too emotionally exhausted to think anymore.