With Me | Chris Sturniolo

13.

It was close to seven, as I messed with them hem of my sweater, nervous about Chris showing up. Should I have changed? Cleaned up? Why do I care?

Five minutes before seven at the doorbell rang. When I opened it, he was there, looking handsome.

"Hey" I said and he stepped inside.

"Ready to learn?" He asked, taking off his shoes.

"Are you actually ready to teach?" And not be an asshole is what I wanted to add.

He smirked and followed me into the house, setting his things down on the table. Before I wonder if he'll take this seriously, he got right into it, pulling up a common problem and telling me how to solve it. He explained it carefully, not like the Chris I know.

I follow the steps like their instructions on a treasure map, but each time, I still don't get the answer at the back of the book.

"Chris! I did what you told me and it's not the answer!" I shoved my calculator in his face. "I knew it! I knew you were messing with me. Are you even going to help me or do you get a kick out of this? This is a waste of time"

He looked at my calculator screen, then back at me.

"Sabrina" he started. "Your calculator is in the wrong mode"

"What?" The colour drained from my face as I look at the calculator, and of course, he's right.

I expected an asshole comment from him, but he didn't mention it. He simply did out the steps for me to follow again.

"But that actually makes sense!"

Chris leaned back in his seat and smirked. "Because it's easy"

"But I got a question like this wrong on the test"

"You never had me helping you before"

I laughed. What do you know? Chris made a great tutor. He's patient and understanding and nothing like the guy I came to know. After three hours, I actually understand the last few lessons from class over the past couple of weeks.

At ten thirty, we decided to call it a night.

"Thanks for this. And sorry for yelling at you" I stand up to clear the pizza boxes.

He stood up and grabbed the plates. "You're improving"

"You're surprisingly helpful" I smiled. "I never thought you of all people would be able to help me"

He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms across his chest. "What? You didn't think I was smart enough?"

"No, I didn't think you'd be patient enough. But I guess I'm surprised you're really smart. Not because you don't look smart, you just have that 'I don't care about anything' vibe"

Instead of being offended, Chris looked at me seriously. "Having good grades is the only thing that will help me out of this hellhole"

"Oh" I never stopped to consider his home life. He drives a fancy car, but he never talks about his family. But, neither have I.

He straightened up and picked his bag up. "I should go. When are your parents getting home?"

"My Mom will be home sometime tomorrow"

He raised an eyebrow, enough to let me know he realised I didn't mention my Dad. He didn't bring it up though. "You're here alone tonight?"

I tucked my hair behind my ear. "Yeah, I usually am"

"That explains the baseball bat"

"I hoped you forgot about that" I blushed

"You'll be okay here by yourself?"