Darkness and Everything in Between

Bittersweet

It had been a week since Ashton had told me about wanting to tutor each other, and I was growing impatient of waiting for him to call.

I was currently in class learning about- well frankly I wasn't even paying attention. I was thinking about my grade in math and about Ashton and summer school and tutoring and I was completely freaking out. On the outside I was pretending to listen to the teacher and taking "notes". I needed to pass this school year and I didn't need any distractions; ironically I wasn't paying attention.

Suddenly the bell rang snapping me out of my thoughts, and I rushed to put all of my things away. I could finally make my-.

"Miss Evans? May I have a word with you please?" Mrs. Carry stood by her desk, looking at me through her thick glasses. I was worried she was going to say something about not paying attention during class.

"Miss Evans, you have me a bit worried hun," she said. I was taken aback.

Worried? "I can't imagine why; have I done something wrong?"

"Oh no, of course not- well I hope not," she chuckled. "I just find you a bit distracted lately, and I'm sorry, but I must ask, is everything okay with you? At home?"

"Yes everything is going fine. I'm good, I'm really good," I breathed out. I'm not sure why, but something inside of me felt like I was lying. She eyed me for a second, and then nodded her head.

"Alright, Katarina. If you ever need anything, I'm here for you," she said smiling although it didn't quite reach her eyes. I smiled back assuring her I would let her know if anything changed, and made my way to the front of the school. I was ready to leave since I had first gotten here. I was on my way home when I felt someone's strong hands wrap around my arm. I jumped back and screamed until I saw who it was.

"What the hell Ashton?!" I screamed, "You scared the shit out of me," I said, trying to catch my breath.

He giggled his infectious laughter apologizing in between gasps of breaths. "I didn't think I would really scare you, my bad," he said still laughing at my reaction.

"Asshole," I muttered. "Did you want something? Don't tell me you just wanted to sneak up on me like some stalker."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't flatter yourself." And there was that ridiculous smirk of his. "Listen, about the tutoring, I just wanted to let you know that I'm really busy this week, so I guess we'll have to start next Monday," he said nonchalantly. I stared at him for a while trying to process what he had just said.

"What are you talking about? Finals are next month and I need all the help I can get," I said desperately trying to get him to change his mind.

"Wow you must really be in bad shape," he said. I flushed embarrassed and angry that I had been forced to come to Ashton, of all people, for tutoring. "Look, I'm sorry, but I really can't do anything about it. Like I said, I'm busy," he shrugged.