The Unwanted Tutor

Prologue

AN: Hello! Just wanted to say I hope you enjoy the story! And the cover image isn't mine :)

October 1983

The wind was wild today, making the palm tree that stood next to our house seem to wave at me as I walked up the stairs and took my key out to unlock the door.

Before I could, the door opened revealing my mother who looked disappointed to see me.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked as I followed her into the kitchen.

"Garrett, come on. You said you were starting to get better at math." My mother pushed my report card towards me.

The small f stared at me, daring me to rip it up.

I had meant to hide my report card, I even got away with it for the time being. But now that she found it, I wasn't sure of what to say.

Math has always been my weakest subject, I had managed to pass it with a C- in junior year but now it was really bringing me down.

When I didn't say anything she sighed, "I was going to take out the trash but I found it buried under a plate."

"I was getting better, but the teacher, she's just-"

"No," Mom cut me off, "I'm done with the excuses. It's your final year at Whitney, don't you want to graduate?" 

I shrugged, it would be nice but it wasn't really my main goal. I just wanted to focus on my art.

I loved to draw, something I was really getting into tattoos. I had a subscription to one of my idol's magazines, the famous Tom Madden.

My parents didn't really approve of this, they liked my drawings but they always said that it wasn't going to be a real job for me.

"It's just the first quarter, I have time to bring it up." I said. It was only October after all.

My mother raised her eyebrows, but before she could speak, the backdoor opened and my father walked in. 

"Woah, it's a little tense in here, what's going on?" My father kissed my mother on the cheek as he glanced at my report card.

"I'm failing math and Mom's mad at me." I replied.

Dad looked confused as Mom silently showed him the paper.

He took it and looked at my grades. "Garrett, how is this possible? How do you have an A plus in art but an F in math?"

"I don't know, maybe because I like art better? Math doesn't interest me." I said.

"It doesn't matter what interests you. Do you know how expensive your school is? Aren't you supposed to graduate this year?" My dad said.

"I asked him that but it seems like he doesn't want to." My mother replied, shooting me a look, "I really think we should get him a tutor."

"What? No, mom, I don't need a tutor!" I laughed nervously. "I'll get better, just give me another chance!"

Mom turned to look at Dad, when she gave him that look my heart sank, I knew there was no way I was going to win this.

My dad glanced at me and back down at the report card, I could tell he didn't want to have this conversation anymore than I did.

"Please, dad. I'll pay attention in class, I'll do all my homework, I'll ask for help. I don't need a tutor, come on, I'll do anything." I pleaded.

"The only thing I want you to do right now is pass math. I'll get you a tutor promptly, don't worry Garrett, you'll get all the help you need." My dad patted my head and left the kitchen, making me feel like an idiot.

As I walked into my room, I tossed myself onto the bed. I could already hear my dad on the phone, probably calling all over town to find me a damn tutor.

He was still talking even after I woke up from a nap about an hour later. I creeped into the hallway to listen.

"Garrett just turned seventeen a couple of weeks ago..yes he's in his senior year. Uh, huh.. he's twenty three..well I guess that could work. Alright, let me talk to my wife  and we'll get everything sorted out. Uh, huh, have a good night." I heard him set the phone down.

"Everything okay?" My mother sounded anxious.

"Yes, I finally got him someone. His name is Anthony, I just talked to his father, apparently he's a really smart kid." My father said.

"Oh, twenty three is hardly a kid." Mom laughed. 

"Well, I just want the best for my boy. This is for the best after all." My dad replied.

I shook my head and headed back to my room, they had no idea what they were doing. I didn't want a tutor, I didn't need one, I could take care of myself, if only someone could believe me for once.