The Unwanted Tutor

Chapter 10

"Are you sure I can't come with you?" I asked my mom while sitting on her bed, something I hadn't done since I was a kid.

"Your father only bought two tickets. We'll take you somewhere nice when you graduate." My mother looked up from her suitcase with a sympathetic smile.

"Yeah, maybe." I said, feeling disappointed.

I wasn't ready for my parents to leave, we used to go on trips as a family, a normal family.

As I watched my mom stuff more clothes into her bag, I thought of my own suitcase in my closet, buried under old clothes and blankets. 

The last trip we went on was to the Florida Keys, I was a bored sixteen year old and had decided to wander off by myself and into the swamp. I stayed there for maybe ten minutes until the heat got to me, I came out with a huge, itchy red rash that ran up my leg that would turn out to be poison ivy.

Just thinking of that trip made me reach down and scratch my leg. The rest of the trip was spent in agony from my constant itching and walking around in the one hundred and ten degrees swampy state that was Florida.

But, that seemed like such a long time ago now. I wasn't even old enough to vote and my parents were already eager to get away from me.

"There. All packed." She closed her suitcase and gave it a pat.

"I'm gonna be so bored." I mumbled more to myself than her.

"Aw, honey. Here, why don't you tape my soap operas for me while I'm gone? You know I don't want to miss any episodes of Dynasty." She said.

"Yeah, I got you. It comes on at noon right?" I asked.

My mother nodded and picked up her luggage, "Let's go."

We headed out into the living room where my dad and Anthony were waiting.

Just looking at him made my skin start to crawl, he had said he was here to "see them off" but now he offered to drive them to the dock and take the car back to our house.

"Are you sure it won't be a problem?" My dad looked grateful as he got up from the couch.

Anthony shook his head and stood up as well. "Not at all."

"Well," My mother looked at me like she was afraid I was going to explode, "I guess we'll get going now."

"Alright," I replied, feeling awkward as I gave my mom a quick side hug. "Have fun."

"We'll bring you back something, I promise and we'll-"

"Mrs. Winslow, I'm sure you don't want to miss your cruise." Anthony cut her off gently.

I glared at him from across the room, who did he think he was?

My dad just agreed with him and pulled my mother out the door after saying a very rushed goodbye to me.

"I'll be right back." Anthony pinched my cheek and headed outside to join my parents.

"Can't wait." I stuck my tongue out at him when his back was turned.

Anthony gave me a smile as he closed the door, for a quick second, the thought crossed my mind that he was going to crash the car. But, I didn't want to put any ideas in his head, in case he was a mind-reader.

Since I didn't have anything to do because I was on break, I decided to curl up under a blanket and watch an episode of Dynasty while holding my mother's favorite pillow.

After the episode, which I had forgotten to tape, ended, I stretched and got up from the couch to get a drink.

I got a can of Coke from the refrigerator and set it down on the table. I curiously looked out the window and saw our family car park in front of our house, Anthony was back.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly, something I was starting to learn from Anthony, and darted into the bathroom.

The front door soon opened and Anthony came inside calling my name. "Garrett, where are you?"

I turned the sink on like I was busy and let it run for a second before turning it off. I cautiously opened the bathroom door and headed back out to the dining room.

"Hi, Garrett carrot. I bought you something." He set the cup of coffee that was in his hand down and handed me a small bag.

I took the bag and looked inside, it was a glazed donut. "Oh, thanks."

"I'm not a fan of glazed donuts but you look like you would enjoy it." I noticed how he stared at my stomach as he said that.

I rolled my eyes and turned around with the bag in my hand, wanting to go upstairs and hide.

Before I could even put my foot on the first step, I heard him clear his throat. "Where are you going?"

"To my room?" I said and turned around to face him.

"But isn't today our tutoring session? It says here in my lesson plan that it is." He casually pulled out his lesson plan from his bag.

"Let me see that," I laid the bag down on the table and walked towards him.

Anthony immediately held it out of my reach, "You're not the one in charge here, Garrett."

"What's in the book?" I asked.

"Our lesson plan. And it says that we're going to work today." He smiled as he put the book back into the bag.

"I don't want you here." I sighed as he wrapped his arms around me.

"So stubborn," He mumbled, "Listen, if the only thing I teach you today is to love me, then so be it." He shoved me against the wall and placed his mouth on mine, locking us in a passionate kiss.

I could feel my face turning red as I kissed him back. I even felt a little disappointed as he pulled away, giving me a chance to breathe.

"You wanted that." He whispered, "I knew you did, ever since I first kissed you."

Did I want that? I thought about it as I tried to catch my breath. I remembered how I felt when I touched my lips from his kiss last week. I guess I did want this.

"Yeah, you do this with all your students?" I whispered back.

When he kissed me again instead of answering, I took that as a yes.

After about a minute, he pulled away and placed a hand on my chest. "I just thought of something, we need to lay some ground rules."

"What do you mean?" I was still dazed from the kisses.

"Well, for example, from now on I expect you to kiss me after you come home from school." He ran his hand through my hair.

"Okay, yeah that's a no. Do you want me to kiss you goodbye as well?" I rolled my eyes. "What are your other rules?"

"We're always gonna follow the lesson plan. I plan our lessons a week in advance, Garrett, it's all in there. The last rule is I get to sleep in your bed now." Anthony said.

I blinked. "Sleep in my bed? Even when my parents are here?"

"Oh, no. That rule is temporary, for now. We do have two weeks you know, we might as well get comfortable." He replied. "What do you say, Garrett?"

"I don't really have a choice, right?" I knew Anthony long enough now to know that it didn't matter what I wanted.

Anthony chuckled, "When you put it that way, I guess you don't." He leaned in to kiss me again.

I broke the kiss quickly and pushed him away, "I shouldn't do this, you shouldn't be doing this!"

"But, Garrett. I care about you a lot, and you know I don't have anyone here. Can't you just give me a chance?" Anthony whispered.

At that moment, I felt bad for him. He really didn't have anyone to care for him, I mean, his parents kicked him out after all.

I took him by surprise and pulled him towards me, "I'll give you one chance. Only one." One chance too many, a voice quietly said in my head, I ignored it and looked up at Anthony.

"That's the best I could have hoped for." A genuine smile appeared on his face as I laid my head on his shoulder.