How To Find Your Future

27 - A Wingwoman and Math Tutor

Charlie

Today is supposed to be mine and Olivia's second to last job hunting job, and for some reason that fills me with dread. I don't want our time together to be over. I know that once we find a job for her she won't want anything to do with me. This was all only temporary, and I got attached.

I sigh and bring my attention back to the math lesson my teacher is teaching. Somehow math seems better than thinking about my time with Olivia. But as I try to pay attention the numbers slip past me. I just don't have the energy to focus.

My leg starts to bounce as I read the clock that hangs above the board. Fifteen more minutes. I can do this. I just need to focus, and once the lesson is done I can ask Naomi to be my tutor and then she'll help me and I'll be back to a passing grade for math. She might even be able to help me with Olivia. She could tell me how Olivia feels about me.

My heart flutters at the idea. Maybe there's a tiny chance of Olivia liking me back. And even if she doesn't I know she won't hurt me like Eva did. She's better than her. Right?

"Charlie?"

I jump in my chair as my teacher's gaze settles on me.

"Yes?"

"What's the answer?"

I didn't even have my hand up. My gaze shifts to the board behind her. 3x-5=15. "Uh... 7?"

She sighs. "Not quite. But close. It's 6.7."

I roll my eyes. It's not my fault I rounded. At least I was kind of close.

But apparently I wasn't close at all. Or even on the correct question because when I look back up the question I answered is buried throughout the bigger equation. My eyes roll out of my head as I try and comprehend what she's doing, but none of it makes any sense.

My savior comes a few minutes after when the bell rings. I slam my book closed and stuff it into my bag before getting up and almost sprinting over to Naomi's desk where she's just now standing.

"Hey Naomi!"

Her black braids swing around her as she turns in my direction. I dodge so I don't get hit by one of them.

"Charlie?" She furrows her brows. "What's up?" Her tone isn't mocking or rude, just plain curious. Which is fair since I've never really spoken to her.

I look down at my feet and shift my weight between them. God, this is the part I hate. "So, um. I haven't been doing too great in math lately and I need a tutor so I was wondering if-"

"If I could tutor you? Since I'm sure your first idea was Olivia but your parents didn't like that idea?"

I look at her with my mouth wide open.

Her gaze softens. "Was that not right? Was it too mean?"

I shake my head. "No. That was spot on. How did you know?"

She snorts, her meaner but not bully mean facade back on. "You're not hard to read, Charlie. I can tell you've fallen head over heels for her."

I look around to make sure no one is listening. "Shit. Really? I didn't realize it was so obvious. I didn't want the same thing to happen that happened with-"

She places her hands on my shoulders. Her brown eyes shut me up. "No. It's not as obvious as it was with Eva. No one knows or realizes."

"Then how do you know?" I raise an eyebrow.

She smirks. "Because I'm observant and like to keep tabs on my girls' love life. She's gotten three guys but only one of them has fallen super hard for her."