Tip Toe

Ballet Practice

"Mr.Barley actually did that?" Andi said for the third time." I can't believe that bastard!"

"Andi! Language." I correct her wrong. "Just continue to stretch."

"I'm sure everything will be fine. Just teach him a few things then be on your way!" Andy suggested.

"You don't understand, I'm basically tutoring him in 6th subjects." I let out a big sigh. "Here comes stress."

"Don't worry, You'll get though this." Andi reassures me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ballet practice was fine, except Andi kept pestering me about the ' Hot as Hell ' College student taking notes on our practice.

"See you tomorrow, okay?" I say as I drop Andi off at her house.

Andi gives me a thumbs up as I drive away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I step out of my car and into my drive way my phone rings.

"Hello?" I pick up without checking caller ID.

"Hey, Are we on for tomorrow?" A young man's voice spoke.

"May I ask who this is?" I hope this isn't another prank call.

"It's Chris. You know... From Math class?" He sounded a bit nervous.

"Erm.. Yea, We are on for tomorrow. How did you get my number?" I ask.

"Mr.Barley gave it to me." He answered.

"Great." I said sarcastically.  An awkward pause then followed.

"So should I pick you up tomorrow or?" Chris breaks the silence.

"No, I'll meet you at... Starbucks?" I respond quickly.

"Yea sure." Chris says awkwardly.

"Yea bye." I hung up quickly. That was the most awkward call I've ever had with someone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So you're meeting him at Starbucks today after school?" Andi tries to process the information into her brain.

"Yes." I nod slowly.

"So..... Before Practice or After?" Andi questions.

I face palm. I completely forgot about practice. "What am I going to do?" I lift my head up.

"Bring him to the practice." And suggests. "Tutor him during breaks."

I look up at Andi. "Brilliant!" I smile so brightly I would have made the sun look dull. "That is the most helpful thing that has come out of your mouth all day!"  I get my phone out and text Chris.

Never mind Starbucks, Come with me after school.

I shut my phone and put my head back on the school bus seat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was after school. The clouds covering the sky, no blue in sight.

"Get in the car." I say as I walk past Chris.

"Whatever you say, Your Highness." He sits in the backseat.

"Andi, Get in." She hops in the front.

For a few moments the car ride was silent.

Then "The Wobble' Starts playing.

Andi turns to Chris. "I think your phone is ringing."

Chris picks up his phone. "Hey, Babe."

After a few minutes of Chris talking on the phone.

"Bye Veronica." Chris tries to hang up the call. A faint "Do it" Comes from the phone. Chris looks around as if embarassed. "Bye, My little cuddle bunny." He quickly hangs up his phone.

Andi and I look at each other. We burst out laughing. "Cuddle Bunny? What kind of pet name is that?" Andi cannot control her laughter at this point.

"Oh shut it!" Chris's cheeks are red. "She tells me to do it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When we arrive at the studio, Chris seems confused. "Where are we?"

"Ballet Practice." Andi grabs her bag and walks through the front door.

"I'll explain once we get in there." I follow Andi.

A hear a sigh from Chris. "Its not that bad." I reassure him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After changing I enter the practice room. Chris is already checking out the college girls practicing with us. I tap his shoulder. "Okay, First of all, You have a girlfrend, Second of all, They will never go for a guy like you. Third of all, You came here to be tutored, Not watch girls."

He looks at me and groans. "Can't we do that later?" He whines.

"No. Now. Get your math book out." I command.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After about 20 minutes of tutoring, it was time for practice. "The next break I get, I continue tutoring." I gave Chris a few more problems after I was done explaining.

After about 30 minutes of practicing. I walk towards Chris. I check his problems. All correct. Maybe tutoring him wasn't going to be so stressful. "Okay. Now Reading." I helped him for about 20 minutes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After practice was over I dropped Andi off at her house.

"So where do you live?" I ask Chris.

"Why? So you can stalk me?" Chris jokes rudely.

I sigh. "So I can drop you off."

" Just drop me off at the school, I'll walk. I wouldn't want you to stalk me at my house, You're creepy enough." He says.

My eyes start to water, But I won't let little words get to me.

I stop in front of the school. "Bye, Freak" Chris hops out and walks away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I drive to my house, eyes still watery.

I run into my house and towards my room.

"Sweetie, whats wrong?" My mom asks as I run pass her.

I shut my door and throw myself onto my bed. I hug my pillow.

I'm not a freak. I'm not a creep. I'm me.