Beyond What Meets The Eye

Chapter Three

Mira's coach in fact was not pleased to hear that she had scheduled her first tutoring session during the beginning of practice, but seeing as she was borderline on academic probation, he let it slide.

"Please just try and arrange a better time in the future," he called out as she slipped out of his office.

"Got it," she replied as she made her way through the hallways towards the library. Luckily her coach was also a teacher, so he was pretty easy to find, and on the more understanding side when it came to school.

Mira looked around the library like a lost puppy as she searched for Xavier, her last time stepping foot in the place freshman year.

"Over here, Mira," her eyes darted in the direction of Xavier's voice, a smile crossing her lips when she saw him sitting at a table, his laptop and a notebook placed neatly in front of him. At least he didn't seem like the egotistic type to make her feel like shit when she didn't understand something.

"Hey, sorry I'm a few minutes late I had to talk to my coach real quick." She apologized as she sat down across from him, pulling out her stats binder and a pencil.

"No worries. What sport?" He asked.

"Soccer," she replied as she flipped open to her most recent notes.

"Oh, nice. Do you wanna play in college?" His green eyes locked onto hers and Mira froze for a moment, her brain slowly registering what he said.

"Ah, I'm hoping to I've been talking to a few coaches, but if I don't keep my grade up in this class, I can kiss any chance at getting recruited goodbye." She sighed.

"Well, lucky for you, stats is my best subject. We'll keep that grade up. So, where should we start?" He asked, his words filling Mira with relief.

They worked on her homework for the night, Xavier shockingly good at explaining things. Mira couldn't help the grin that played her lips when she got a problem right on her own. She hadn't realized how fun math could be when you actually understood it.

"Holy shit," she exclaimed, "I haven't been able to do my homework without chegg this entire semester." He laughed at her words, revealing a small dimple on his right cheek.

"Hopefully from now on you won't be needing chegg."

"Who would of thought you could actually dumb it down to my level?" She said with a light chuckle.

"Oh come on, give yourself some credit. I just explained the notes Mr. King gave you a little more in depth, everything else you did on your own." He pointed out.

"Where did you go to school before this?" Mira asked, still in disbelief with how smart this kid was.

"Manhattan Catholic," he replied, Mira's lips forming an 'O' as it clicked. Manhattan Catholic was the most prestigious private high school in all of New York. They continuously had the highest test scores in the state with astounding athletics.

"And what made you come to Hartsdale High?" She asked, her school sickeningly average, if not below.

"My dad got a new job that moved us to this side of town. He told me he'd stay so I could keep going to MC, but honestly I leapt at the chance to get out of that place. All the guys there are a bunch of entitled douche bags." He let out a sign. She wasn't surprised that he said that, all those boys were swaddled with daddy's money. She didn't have much room to speak on that matter, she definitely lived a very privileged life, but she liked to think she was a little more down to earth compared to others who grew up similarity. Her mom had always made sure to remind her to be grateful for her lifestyle and not to take anything for granted.

"Well, you don't seem like an entitled douche bag to me, so you're doing something right," she smiled. He laughed.

"Good, I never really thought I fit in well with that crowd. So, do you want to meet up again later this week?" He asked.

"Yeah, I can do Friday," she offered before quickly adding, "if that works with your schedule."

"That's perfect. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Mira couldn't help but to smile as she left the school and made her way towards the field. She finally understood stats, and her tutor was a total sweetheart? She was winning.

"Aldaine, I don't know what you're smiling about but you better get your ass in the locker room and change, you've got three laps then I'll have you jump in on this drill," her coach yelled at her as she headed towards the locker rooms. She quickened her pace, changing with lightning speed before heading back out and starting her laps.

They scrimmaged for most of practice, Mira performing impressively against her teammates. Everyone could definitely tell she was in a good mood, and they liked seeing this side of her. She was always pretty positive during practice and games, but today especially they must have noticed her energy. Hopefully, it was here to stay.