me & tomfoolery

Enclosed pt. 3 | Jahan Dotson Short Story

"How's studying with Wynn going?" Rob asked as the guys finished their workout together. It was a gloomy Thursday morning and this was the only time they had to be together until tonight's kickback.

Jahan had been studying with Wynn for the last two weeks, every other day. It was enjoyable for him and he felt like his comprehension of Bio was improving. Arguably his best teacher was his agemate or maybe it was because she was very easy on the eyes to sit across from. A fool would be stupid enough to deny that Wynn was a beautiful girl. He would hardly allow himself to be caught up with anyone. Maybe consistent fling to knock the stress away but full blown interst in anything besides football was blasphemous to him.

"Not gonna lie, she's really helping me."

"Word? You feel smarter or something?" Terrance asked slapping his shoulder. Jahan didn't feel smarter per-say, it just seemed like his mind was clear enough to put the work together to find the right answers.

"Just understand it more clearly."

Four Days Ago

Jahan tapped his pen on the paper as he attempted a practice quiz that Wynn created based on his strengths and weaknesses. She carefully observed on what he took extra time on and what he breezed through with ease. Jahan's eye brows knotted together as he thought if the answer to his final question. He looked to the sky as if it was going to fall in front of him.

Writing in his decision, he slammed the pencil down and waited. Wynn overlooked his responses marking as she went. His heart fell to his knees already knowing what would be on the other side of the paper.

"I don't know why you have the long face."

"Cause I know I failed that shit." Wynn frowned, she understood his skepticism but also knew that opening that lane of doubt was dangerous. She needed to take her own advice.

"You didn't actually." She reviewed his answers again and he only missed two answers out of twelve. "You only got two wrong."

"Forreal?" Jahan was surprised, he expected to get more incorrect. This was a relief as he knew he needed to navigate into consistency in the books before he got back on the field. "Damn, thank you Wynn."

"I didn't do anything outside of interpreting your study needs. You flourished how you needed. The next few practice quizzes will be framed based on your professor's testing style, and that's what we will be focused on." She handed the quiz to him and began packing her bag. "We're done for today, you get to take a much needed break."

"She sounds like a great teacher honestly." Terrance nodded, "So when do you think you'll get back on the field?"

Jahan had no idea when his coach would let him back in the game but, he had an exam Monday that could determine his eligibility for next Thursday's game. This was important because this was Penn State's famous White Out game. Everyone who was anyone would be there: celebrities, former players now in the league, scouts and analysts. Jahan needed to be in this game.

"Honestly, I need it to be like yesterday."

"You're staring, hard."

Wynn and Celeste were sitting in the cafe for lunch and it seemed that Wynn was distracted.

"I'm not staring at anything." She denied playing with her plate of fries. Celeste looked over to where Wynn stared and it was apparent that either she was telling the truth or making googly eyes at her roommate or even one of his teammates. Celeste was sure it was Jahan though.

"So is Jahan single?" She asked with intent to gauge a response. Wynn looked at Celeste and then back at the crowd of football players, she didn't think Jahan had a girlfriend. She never actually saw him with anyone. She used to hear rumors but it seemed the girls never made it to their apartment.