Darkness and Everything in Between

Tutor?

I paced back and forth pulling at my hair.

I hated school more than I could even fathom into words, and yet here I was stressing about my grades. I just knew it was something I had to be on top of. I was in all advanced classes, and I had to work hard to make sure it stayed that way.

I was waiting for my math teacher to finish putting in our test grades that we had taken earlier, and God was I nervous. I was never great at math, I only ever passed it with the most minimum grade I could afford-a B.

*Ding*

I scrambled over to my computer and looked at my grade and had I not been sitting I would've probably fallen over. 65. A fucking 65?! What had gone wrong? I had studied for a week in advance and I never study! I sagged in my seat, head in my hands.

"So you saw the grades, huh?" I looked up startled.

"Alacia," I breathed out, "what did you get?"

"Good to see you too baby cakes. I, myself got an astounding 25, and guess what? I'm not even upset. You know what they say; summer school is always the easier option," she said in a very knowingly tone. "Not only is it on-level math, but there's also cute guys in there," she said winking.

"That's definietly not a saying" I said letting my head drop into my hands again in frustration. She never did understand why I was so dedicated to my schoolwork. "It's a terrible and expensive option. It's going to go on your report card that you failed you junior year of math!"

"Shhhhh!" the people around us hissed. I had forgotten we were still in the library.

"Sorry," I whispered back embarrassed.

"Look it's not a perfect plan, but it's not like there hasn't been anyone who's failed a subject and not gotten into college."

"Yeah, but not a good college."

"I don't need good, I need doable."

"Yeah, well, not me." I sighed again suddenly weary of the conversation. "I, uh, have to go, Alacia. I'll see you later." She rubbed my arm, and nodded her head.

I walked out of the library looking down at my shoes. I was so embarrassed. How could I have gotten a 65? I bet no one else had gotten lower than me, with the exception of Alacia I guess. I continued my way to the main exit. I could use the walk home to clear my head.

"So I'm guessing you saw the new math grades Mr. Milo put in recently?" I looked up to see none other than Ashton looking down at me with a smirk. Great just what I was trying to forget about.

I was surprised but replied, "Yeah I did. How'd you do?"

"Got a 95. Nothing special," he said with that dumb smirk still on his face. "You?"

"Let's just say I didn't do so good," I mumbled back. He laughed a boyish laugh, and then stopped suddenly. I looked over to see what had interrupted his laughter, and I saw he had a pensive look on his face. "If you want I could tutor you if you're not doing so well?"

"Really? You would that?" I was surprised that not only was he good at math, but that he had offered to help me.

"Of course. I'm not just a pretty face you know."

"Alright, yeah that'd be great. I could really use the extra help," I admitted.

"Okay, but in return I need a favor." We were nearing the exit now.

"Shoot. I'm all ears."

"Well I've heard you're quite the bookworm, and I'm not doing so hot in lit at the moment. What I propose is that I help you with math if you help me understand books and read between the lines or whatever," he said, very practical with his words.

"You're all full of surprises today, aren't you?" We had reached the exit, and he pushed the door open, motioning for me to go first. I nodded my head thanking him, and I turned around to face him. "Alright, Irwin, you got yourself a deal," I said agreeing to his offer.

He grinned at me with his dimples showing. "Yeah? I knew you couldn't stay away from me." I punched him in the arm and he feigned being hurt. "Wow you can really throw a punch, huh?" He said laughing. I started smiling and I swatted at him again, but he dodged it only causing him to laugh harder except now it was more like a fit a giggle. "I'll see you later Kat," he said backing away grinning the entire time.

"Wait!" I called back. "You never told me when we're going to start to tutor each other."

"Don't worry, I'll call you," he replied. I smiled and waved goodbye heading in the direction of my house. It was almost like I looked forward to his call.

Almost.