Heather (inspired by Conan Gray)

She's Got You Mesmerized, While I Die

It had been over a month after the entire situation with the Halloween party and tracking down Henry's mystery college girlfriend. Since then, Claire and Henry have been healthier than ever and it didn't make me want to barf out every meal I've had anymore. Also, me and Claire had reached a new level of closeness I wasn't even sure was obtainable.

Now, the part everyone had been waiting for. Nathan and Heather had come out as boyfriend and girlfriend officially.

Yay.

I've been trying to avoid him, but it was kind of hard seeing as though we still had chemistry together. The actual subject, be calm. I'm not THAT delusional. Also, our friend group had become strangely closer. I don't talk to him unless I need to, though, and I sometimes tag along with Heather and Claire when they have their little outings.

It was the third of December, ironically, when I was sitting in chemistry class, listening to the teacher reviewing some points before our first semester finals the next week. As the bell rang, I was approached by a familiar figure.

"Hey, Cory," Nathan would say to me as I was packing my bag.

"Hey," I reply, not looking up to meet his eyes.

"Soo," he started, "remember last year when you tutored me during the first semester?"

Oh fuck, I know where this is going.

"Yeah, I remember," I said, now looking at him.

"Well.. that semester was sort of the best score I've ever gotten in chem. You really understand how to tutor me and I'd really, realllyyy appreciate it if you can maybe do it again before the final?"

I bite the side of cheek in frustration. FUCK. I need to find a way out. "I-I would love to, really, but I really need to study myself too.. it's getting really hard for me to-"

"No, yeah I get that, but just one tutor session. Just an hour, please, that's all I ask. I need you, Cory."

Well, this wasn't the situation I wanted to hear these words in.

"Fine, you get an hour."

"Thank you thank you thank youuu," he'd say wrapping me in a hug. "I'll bring you cookies," he'd say.

We'd agreed on Saturday afternoon, just about enough time to get everything done and for me to have time to..

I wasn't sure what. I lied about needing so much extra time to study, I've managed studied the day before each exam and was planning on that again.

When he arrived, we'd started studying. I didn't take any distractions from him and kept my mind to the textbook as I taught him the materials while we both sat on the floor of my bedroom. Halfway through the session I caught him staring at me weirdly as I was reviewing the covalent bonds.

"What?" I'd say to him.

"Oh, so you do acknowledge I'm here," he replied in a sarcastic tone.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that ever since I've arrived at your house you've just been explaining these points to me."

"Isn't that what you wanted? You wanted me to tutor you, I'm just obliging."

"But that's not how I wanted you to act, I was expecting the Cory that I know to actually help me while we both had a great time. Just like it was last year."

"Are you saying I've changed?"

"Well, no, I just-"

"Just what, Nathan?"