Monday, August 28th
The school library was usually my sanctuary, a place where I could lose myself in the written word. But today, it was bustling with the energy of students rushing to cram for exams. I navigated through the crowd, my mind focused on my new task: tutoring Sophie Bennett, the new junior who had just transferred to our school.I spotted her sitting at a table near the large windows, her posture tense as she fidgeted with a pen. Her dark hair fell in soft waves around her face, partially obscuring her eyes, which darted nervously around the room. I approached her with a friendly smile, hoping to ease her apparent discomfort."Hey, you must be Sophie," I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.She looked up, her eyes wide with a mixture of apprehension and relief. "Yes, that's me. You must be Ethan?""That's right," I replied, pulling out a chair and sitting across from her. "How's your first week been so far?"Sophie hesitated, then offered a small smile. "It's been...okay. Just trying to get used to everything."I nodded sympathetically. "I understand. New schools can be tough. But don't worry, we'll get through AP English together. How about we start by going over what you're struggling with?"Sophie relaxed a little, her shoulders dropping as she opened her notebook. "It's the essays. I just can't seem to organize my thoughts properly, and my analyses always feel shallow.""Well, let's take a look," I suggested, leaning in to examine her notes. As we worked through her essay, I was struck by the flashes of insight buried within her hesitant prose. She had a unique perspective, a way of seeing the world that was refreshingly different from the typical student essays I read."You have some really great ideas here," I said, genuinely impressed. "It's just a matter of structuring them better. Why don't we try outlining your next essay together?"Sophie nodded, a spark of determination in her eyes. We spent the next hour dissecting the assignment, discussing themes and crafting a detailed outline. As we worked, Sophie gradually opened up, her shyness giving way to a quiet confidence."Thank you," she said softly as we wrapped up. "This really helps.""Anytime," I replied. "Same time tomorrow?""Yes, please," Sophie said, her smile a little wider now. "I'll be here."
