The Unwanted Tutor

Chapter 3

I dreaded going home that day. It wasn't even worth it to attempt my homework, it would probably be all wrong anyway.

I headed home and went upstairs to get a quick nap in before Anthony got here.

My nap was pretty peaceful until I was woken up by my mother knocking on the door.

"Garrett! Get ready, Anthony's going to be here in a minute!" My mother called.

"Be right down!" I sleepily said back and sat up in bed. As I stretched, I looked at my clock on the nightstand, it was five o'clock, too late for all of this.

I got out of bed and grabbed my textbook along with my homework and headed downstairs. I set my stuff on the table and went into the kitchen to get a snack.

As I was chewing on a granola bar, my mom and I sat in silence waiting for the doorbell to ring. I could tell she wanted me to talk to her but I was still a little angry that she was making me do this.

When the doorbell rang, my mom shot up to answer it. She opened the door with a friendly smile, "Hello, Anthony! Nice to see you again!"

I rolled my eyes and tossed the rest of the granola bar into the trash, I lost my appetite.

When I turned around, Anthony was in our living room, a thick booklet in his hand.

His black button down and black pants made me wish I dressed better for some reason, man, he did a great job at making me feel uncomfortable in my own house.

"Hello, Garrett. Are you ready for today?" He smiled as he headed over to me.

"I guess, what's that?" I pointed at the booklet.

"This, is the lesson plan." Anthony set the book down in front of me. 

"Lesson plan? Is there anything even in there?" We hadn't started yet, what kind of lessons could he already have?

"That's for me to worry about, I'll add onto it after I get to know you and your schoolwork better. Now," He turned around to look at mom, "I think we should discuss a schedule. What days would be best?"

My mother hesitated, "I think Garrett should see you at least three times a week. Maybe Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays?" She looked at me, "Is that okay?"

I shrugged, "I don't really care."

"Of course you don't," She looked annoyed as she turned back to Anthony, "I should probably mention that my husband and I work late, I work a night shift in L.A. so I usually don't get home until one or two in the morning. My husband works at the bank here and his hours are a little odd sometimes, oh and..."

I forgot how much my mother likes to talk when she gets comfortable with people, I didn't really mind though, the more time she spends talking to Anthony, the less time I have to be around him.

My parents' jobs were jobs that they wanted me to do, real work as they called it. My dad's hours weren't 'odd' by the way, he just worked at the bank and he always came home around six. My mom was just covering for him because he liked to go out with his buddies to spend his evenings at random bars around town.

After we had dinner, which was usually at seven, my parents would both leave and my mom would head to Los Angeles where she worked as a nursing assistant.

However, since it was in the city, she usually came home really early in the morning, when my dad would still be gone sometimes.

So, I was basically always alone in the house after seven o'clock. but now that was going to be with Anthony, I guess.

My mother explained most of this to Anthony and then went upstairs to take a shower, leaving us alone in the dining room.

"Sorry about my mom, she talks a lot doesn't she?" I said as I sat down at the table.

Anthony laughed and made his way around the table to stand behind me, "I don't mind. Now, let's get to work, shall we?"

He tossed the lesson plan onto the table and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Let me see your textbook."

I didn't like how his hands felt on my shoulders so I pulled away from him, "Can you stop touching me?"

Anthony breathed in deeply and exhaled loudly like I was such a problem, "Give me the book."

I handed him the textbook, "Page two hundred. I think we're on chapter three."

"You think?" I heard Anthony scoff behind me, "You don't even know what chapter you're on?"

"I think it's pretty obvious that I don't pay attention in class." I shot back, "That's supposedly why I need your help, right?"

"Garrett, I told you before to not talk to me like that," He placed a hand on my head, "I can tell your mother right now that you're not cooperating, do you want to make your mother upset?"

"No, I'll behave." I set my jaw in my hand and stared at the clock which now said that it was five thirty.

"How long are you going to be here for?" I turned around to look at him.

"As long as I need too." He replied as he flipped through my textbook. "Why, you want me to leave now?"

"Yeah, maybe. That'll probably be better for everyone." I said.

"But don't you want to succeed? Don't you want to finally have your parents off your back about your damn math grade?" He asked and set the book down next to me.

He leaned forward and grabbed both my shoulders, "I want to help you Garrett," He whispered in my ear, "Just give me a chance."

I could feel the goosebumps rising on my neck from his voice, "Okay, just stop being so creepy."

"Then, let's get to work." He patted my shoulders and looked at my homework. "Let me get you started on this."

He took the pencil from my hand and leaned over my shoulder to start writing. Within minutes, a homework problem that would have taken me easily half an hour, was done.

"There. That's how you should do it." Anthony set the pencil down, seemingly proud of himself. "Now you try."

I was frustrated. "You didn't even explain as you go, how the hell did you solve this?"

Anthony picked up his lesson plan and took a pen out of his pocket and wrote something down.

"What are you writing?" I asked.

"I was trying to see what I was working with. You're really going to be interesting aren't you?" Anthony tossed the book down on the table once again.

"Can you just, do your job? I need to pass this class already." I put my head on the table.

I could tell Anthony was going to say something but was interrupted by my mother coming downstairs. "How's it going?"

"Oh, it's fine. Garrett's just getting a little frustrated." He laughed as he ruffled my hair.

"Yeah, because he's not helping me." I mumbled as I picked my head up.

"Garrett, that's not nice. Maybe your father was right, Anthony should teach you some manners. Look how respectful he is." My mother smiled at Anthony who smiled back.

I rolled my eyes and waited for my mother to go back upstairs to glare at Anthony, "I don't want to be like you."

He sighed and sat down next to me. "What can I do to make you like me?"

I pushed my homework to him, "You could do my homework for me, just this once."

"Why, that would pretty unprofessional wouldn't it?" He grabbed the pencil and took the paper.

Woah. He was really going to do it, just to get me to like him. "Yeah, but I promise to really try on Wednesday." I said.

"That's all I want from you. But the second you disrespect me, I'll tell your mother about this." Anthony replied.

"Deal." I responded. We grinned at each other, for once coming to an understanding.