One Black Heart

One Black Heart - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

            Math class bores me to tears. I learnt all of this last year – I just bombed the exam and final project. Plus, all the tenth graders are staring at me like I’m an alien and it’s scaring me slightly. I lean back in my seat, hoping maybe, with a lot of luck, I’ll disappear and never have to take Math again.

            Mr. Finnich calls on me to answer an algebra problem. I shake my head. I don’t know this shit. Algebra’s my worst subject within Math. Finnich knows that too…he was my teacher last year. Finnich pushes. I shrug. His eyes bore into me. He mouths, “See me after class.”

            Great. Stuck seeing Finnich at the end of the day. If I miss the bus, I blame him.

            The rest of the class goes by painfully slowly. When the final bell rings, I hope out of my desk, making a beeline for the door. Finnich looks up. He coughs obviously. “Marine,” he says firmly. “Where do you think you’re going?” Shit. I forgot about that. Why does Math have to suck oh so much? No one knows sweet cheeks.

            I roll my eyes. I walk back to his desk. “What?” I ask a little too rudely. I can’t help it. My attitude comes out when I hate someone. Finnich just pisses me off a little too much. He gets my attitude. Nothing can change that.

            Finnich gives me a look. “That would be, ‘yes, sir?’ right, Marine?” I hate him. I hate him. I hate, hate, hate him so much. Can I punch someone? Put Melody in front of me right now oh dear god please.

            “Yes, sir?” I ask, emphasis on the sir. Finnich does it again. I roll my eyes. “Fine. Yes, sir?”

            Finnich doesn’t smile, like normal. “Better. We need to discuss your work habits lately.” Wonderful. Second day of school and this already? Good job, Bree, good job. I nod. “Last year, you slacked – a lot. This year needs to be different. I order for a college to even look at you, you need good Math grades. You need to do better, Marine.” He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. “I’ve lined up a tutor for you,” he says. My eyes widen in shock. A tutor? No, no, no, no, no, no. People are most certainly not my thing.

            “A tutor?!” I yell really loudly. A few students stick their heads in the classroom door. Finnich shoos them away. I don’t need a tutor! I’m not that bad at Math, am I?! Sweetie, you are. “Fin – Mr. Finnich,” I catch myself. “I don’t need a tutor, do I? C’mon, I’m not that bad. I’ll pass this year, I swear. Please, don’t make me have a tutor,” I plead hopelessly.

            Finnich sighs. “Passing is not enough, Marine,” Finnich says while standing up.

            “But – bu –,” I’m cut off by a knock Finnich was clearly expecting. Finnich opens the door widely. My eyes widen in surprise. I think they’re going to fall out of my head. Two rolling eyeballs on the floor would surely be an interesting sight.

            Alex stands at the door in front of me.

            Finnich invites him in. “Alexander, Marine, have a seat please.” He sweeps his arm at the two desks just in front of him. I look at Alex. He’s looking at me. Shit, I just caught him looking at me. AWKWARD! Look away, Bree. I shift my eyes to the desk and sling my bag to the floor before sitting down.

            Alex takes a seat. He glances at me wide-eyed. “What are you doing here?” he mouths.

            I am about to shrug but Finnich starts talking. “Alexander, this is Bree Marine. Marine, this is Alexander Gard –”