Frowned Upon [H.S. AU]

NINE

"You're the only friend I need.

Sharing beds like little kids,

And laughing till our ribs get tough."

✿ ✿ ✿

IRIS MONROE

September 14th, 2021

I shut my car door with my mouth gaped open in shock as I take in the absolutely stunning house I'd just pulled into.

When I was driving through the neighborhood to get to the address Harry had texted me, I knew it would be a lovely house given the ones I was passing, but this? This is the type of home most people would dream of having.

The white exterior isn't something that I would usually like, given how overused it is in Los Angeles, but it isn't the usual modern, cookie-cutter home I'm used to seeing.

I was told to park in the driveway, but I didn't expect to be in front of one of four garage doors. If that wasn't enough to impress me, the large windows across the house are enough to give me a decent view into the front room of the house.

It may have been judging a book by its cover, but given his career, I figured he followed the Los Angeles stereotype.

But this house would easily catch anyone's eye as they drove by or were looking aimlessly on Zillow. It's beautiful.

It's much more comforting. Those modern designs are lovely in their way, but they tend to intimidate me.

"Okay," I take a deep breath and exhale into the warm summer air to shake off any lingering nerves.

My anxiety has been through the roof since I agreed to this, primarily due to the fact that I haven't told Scarlett or anyone for that matter. I shouldn't be doing this, but Harry showed me the side of him I didn't see when I met him in my classroom.

He simply wants what's best for Naomi, and I want the same at the end of the day. Even if he stems from a parent's point of view, and mine stems from a teacher's, our goal is the same.

She's my student.

I don't want to leave her with someone who is a stranger to her, who will likely be too busy with other students in a tutoring session to give their full attention to just Naomi. She feels comfortable enough with Scarlett and me that she doesn't feel embarrassed if she makes a mistake, whereas she tends to hide in her shell when it happens in front of others.

We've both assured her that mistakes are a part of the learning process, but she's still trying to accept that and feel confident in her skills.

I've seen what Naomi is capable of, and I know that she will go far academically. She just needs some help to get on track.

It'll be fine.

It's just one little rule, an unwritten one at that.

With my bag on my shoulder filled with everything I need for tonight, I walk toward the front door.

My eyes look around the cement walkway, appreciating the beautiful green plants scattered below the windows of the house. I smile softly as I see a few pots filled with small purple flowers leading up to the front door. Each one is decorated with a unique pattern or design.

I'm almost sure Naomi has painted them. I'd know those heart-shaped polka dots anywhere.

Standing before the front door, my stomach fills with nervous butterflies as I bring my hand up to knock three times against the wood.