The Unwanted Tutor

Chapter 1

November 1983

It was finally Friday, I needed the break. I could barely sit straight as the bell rang, releasing us from my last period, math.

I think one of the main problems with me was I had math at the end of the day, I mean, who can focus on triangles or geometry when you only have fifty minutes of the day left?

If my parents really wanted me to pay attention, they should just ask the counselor to move me to another period. However, I don't think I could handle having math first thing in the morning.

Strangely enough, my parents let a whole month go by without saying a word about the tutor. Last I heard my dad was meeting him at his house for an interview or something, like tutoring me was such an awful job.

I tried hard to get my math grade up but I kept forgetting to do my homework so it never really changed. If anything I felt like I was in deeper trouble now.

I got a strange feeling in my chest as I walked around the block towards home. When I turned the corner, I saw a well dressed young man get out of his car right in front of our house.

His buttoned down shirt and khakis were an uncommon sight here. It was Santa Monica for god's sake, it was too hot to dress like that.

He didn't see me as he headed into my house, that strange feeling quickly turned into anxiety as I walked faster.

As I made my way up the porch once again, deja vu started to set in as my mother opened the door before I could.

Only this time, she didn't look disappointed. She looked happy to see me. "Garrett! Come here!"

She wrapped me into a hug, something she knew I didn't like. I didn't even remember the last time we did this.

I stiffened against her touch, "Mom, let me at least get through the door." I patted her back and walked past her into the house.

The man that I saw a couple of seconds ago was sitting on the couch. He had dark hair and a mysterious grin as he straightened up when we made eye contact. "Wow, Mrs. Winslow, you weren't kidding about how blonde he is."

My hand immediately flew up to my hair. "Mom, who is this?" I turned around to face her.

"Oh, this is your new tutor, Mr. Deville." She smiled as she gently pushed me towards him.

"Mr. Deville is my father, I'd prefer it if you'd call me Anthony." He held his hand out. 

"Don't be rude, shake his hand." My mother whispered to me.

I sighed and shook his hand, I was a little taken aback at how strong his grip was. "I'm Garrett."

"Garrett?" Anthony raised an eyebrow, "What an interesting name."

"Yeah, can't really say the same about yours." I cringed as my mother nudged me, "I mean, your name is nice as well."

Anthony smiled and leaned forward on the couch, "How old are you, Garrett?"

"Seventeen, my birthday was a few weeks ago." I replied. Two days before Halloween, a great birthday in my opinion.

"Perfect, and what are you struggling with?" He asked as my mother and I sat on the couch across from him.

I glanced at my mom before I talked, "Just math, geometry is killing me. Plus, I always forget to do my homework, I'm not the brightest student, as my teacher tells me."

Anthony laughed, "I wasn't the best at math either, all those triangles and different types of variables, never really made sense to me. But, I have one piece of advice for you Garrett, you have to want to do well, once you know what you want, you can do anything."