The Secrets We Keep

The Sixth Chapter

Hayden

I've found myself strangely looking forward to my first tutoring session with Christopher. After the awkward moment with Amelia in the cafeteria yesterday and then the continued silence from my brother, it's nice knowing I'll be able to spend time with someone who actually wants to be near me, even if it is because they need my help. 

"Are you early or am I late?" I turn around to find Christopher leaning against the books in the science section. He's still dressed in his full school uniform. Unlike me, he didn't ditch the tie at his first chance. 

I glance at the clock above the librarian's desk and see it's exactly three o'clock. "It looks like we're both punctual." I learned a long time ago from my dad that being on time is late but I feel like if I had to say that to him, it might come out sounding judgemental. "Shall we get started?"

"If we have to," Christopher sighs as he pulls out one of the hard, wooden chairs. 

"What part of chemistry is giving you gray hairs?" I ask as I start opening up all my chem folders. I have five in total and he looks over at them in despair. 

"All of it?" He answers and I look up at him to see if he's joking. He's not. 

Sighing, I start rubbing my neck at the base of my skull. "I don't suppose you have your test from the other day?" 

He nods and starts going through his bag. When he pulls out the paper, he hesitates before handing it over to me. And I can see why. He scored a ninety-five. 

"Ok... I'm confused right now. You're telling me you don't understand anything about chemistry but I'm looking at a really, really good grade right now." I meet his eyes over the top of the paper and see him shrug. 

"I used to cram study but that was something... that was no longer working out for me," he explains, choosing his words slowly and carefully. "I decided it was time to grow up and start studying properly." 

I don't know if I buy his story or not but I know if I argue this subject, I'll waste both our time. 

I start massaging my forehead. "Ok, then. I was hoping I could see what your weak points are by what you got wrong but I guess we'll just have to start from the beginning. Open up your textbook to the first page." 

He does as I tell him, and soon enough the world falls away until it's just us, the textbook, and the sounds of the shushing librarian. 

-

"Great," I say, looking over at the test I made Christopher do. He got sixty percent of it right which isn't fantastic but it's a start. "Same time tomorrow?" I ask and hand him back his test. 

He frowns when he sees the grade but starts nodding his agreement. "Thanks again for this..." 

I look up when he trails off and see him staring at me strangely. "What?" 

"I forgot to ask you what your name is," He says and smiles at me. There's something disarming about his smile and I think he knows it too. 

"It's Hayden. Hayden Andrews. I started here last week. My mom is-"

"The history teacher," he finishes but gone is the sweet smile. In its place is a far darker expression and I have no idea why it's there. "So that makes Damien your brother, right?" He asks and when I nod, he starts laughing but it's not a pleasant sound. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "Well, that's just great." 

"I don't understand... is there a problem, here?" 

What the hell does Damien being my brother have anything to do with him now acting so weird? Geez, what is with people this week? I feel like I can't get a break.