Extra Credit+ (ON HOLD)

Chapter 3

"How did you fail that test?" my friend Reyanne asked as I unlocked our front door.  She was shocked- I could tell.

"Next time, watch me during class." I suggested.  "You'll see exactly how..."

"And I'm supposed to do that HOW?  I need to pay attention, focus on the material." Reyanne declined.

"See," I said, leading her into the livingroom, "that is the distinct difference between you and me."

"What's this about failing a test?" mom asked, walking into the room with a hot pot of sphagetti from the kitchen.

"Mom, get back in the kitchen.  It's nothing, I promise." I sighed.

I dumped my bag next to the front door and kicked my scuffed-up Converse into the shoe closet.  Then, I collapsed onto our cold, leather couch.

"No, it isn't 'nothing'." mom argued.

"Yes it is-"

"Mr. Hessling called."

My heart skipped a beat.  I prickled with light sweat.  What did this guy want?  Why did he have to be so persistent with thisextra help thing?

"Oooooooooo," Reyanne cooed in the background like an immature school kid.

I sat up straight and whipped around towards her to give her a dirty look.  

"Now, now.  Don't be so feisty.  He's said you got a 58 on the last test?  Have you been studying like I've been telling you to?" she inquired.

"Yes, mom.  I told you that already." I mumbled.

"Don't lie to me.  I know what it is!  It's that...that organization thing."

"Mom..." I said with tight lips.

"Do you know what it is, Rey?  I'm sure she's told you ALL about it." mom asked a bit more sternly.

"Umm, Mrs. Lovelacker, I think I'll go play with Shiloh, if that's alright with you..." Reyanne interrupted, shuffling out of the room at record speeds.

"You need to take your nose out of what you're not welcome into.  We've had this problem before.  You are not an advocate, and if you're trying to be, you're delusional.  To be an advocate, you need experience- AN experience.  You haven't had the misfortune to suffer any type of sexual abuse.  Be thankful for that instead of trying to bring it upon yourself.  Do this family a favor and don't bring us anymore trouble!  We don't need it and, besides, what kind of example are you setting for your sister?"

"What is that supposed to mean?  This is a serious issue that I need to be a part of!" I hollered.

"What you NEED to do is focus on algebra and your other classes, and work on being a more respectful and repsonsible young adult!  That's why I came up with a schedule for you for tutoring with Mr. Hessling." she corrected.

"What?"

"You'll show up at school 30 minutes early, and then stay after school for 45 minutes everyday.  You need all the help you can get."

"But you don't get it!  That man-"

"-is a helpful one?  Is someone that you need?  No, there is nothing wrong with that man!   There's something wrong with YOU!" mom screamed.  She turned with the sphagetti pot and walked slowly back to the kitchen.  "I still can't believe you raised your voice at your own mother."

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As I grabbed Reyanne's and my plate, I couldn't get the daunting thought of having to spend 1 hour and 15 minutes with this creepy teacher everyday.  It was sickening, more sickening than the three servings of sphagetti I had taken to eat out of anxiety.   Then, there was my mom to worry about.  Never in a million years would my mom believe me if something were to happen.  She's already upset about the little spout we had an hour ago.  How could I possibly face her now?

"Here," mom bluntly said, thrusting to open fruit cups topped with heaping piles of whipped cream into my hands after taking the empty dinner plates," tell Reyanne that I made some dessert."  With that, she turned her back on me and turned the tap on.  I left her to wash the dishes and stormed back down the stairs to watch Awkward with Rey.

"Enjoy your dessert like you're a toddler at snack time!" I instructed sarcastically.

"Gab, you really shouldn't be so rude to your mother.  In my house, I would have to say 1000 Hail Mary's and do a bunch of extra chores around the house.  I like fruit." she scolded, spooning a tiny cube of juicy pineapple.

I sighed, "Rey, it seems like you don't quite understand either."

"What is there to comprehend?  Hessling is a great teacher.  He's super enthusiastic, helpful, and thorough in his lessons.  I love him!"

"Ugghhhhh..." I moaned.  I wish I could get one -just ONE- person to understand this.  "The guy gives me the creeps, alright?  I just don't like the idea of spending so much time with him."

"That's it?  I'm sure other kids'll be there.  Stop overreacting." Reyanna chuckled, spewing tiny streams of whipped cream across the room.

"You're gross.  And, I really doubt that anyone else will be there.  Could you,...uh, come with me?  To my first tutoring session?" I asked shyly.

She responded by slurping the rest of her cup down in sweet, yet healthy, satisfaction.

"It's blatantly obvious that you're the one in need of help here.  I get straight 100's, if you haven't noticed." she reminded.

"Don't turn into Suz.  Not here, not now, not ever.  Just be a good friend and accompany me?  It would mean a lot." I pleaded, ready to unveil my puppy dog eyes.

"Fine.  But, never again." she groaned.

I embraced her in the biggest bear hug, knocking her over in the process.  My 4-year-old sister, Shiloh who was playing with MyScene dolls at the other side of the room, waddled over quickly to jump onto the top of the pile.  While we laughed uncontrollably, I could hear my mom creeping up to watch us from the top of the stairs.  Ugh, that woman.