Worth the Effort

Chapter 1 - ORIGINAL

** Note: If you've read 'Chapter 1' before this chapter, you may be confused as you continue reading! I am currently rewriting the upcoming chapters. The story will be very similar, but the writing will (hopefully) be a little better and the events will be in a different order. Characters and character development will be pretty much the same.

For now, CONTINUE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK! (Again, story will be pretty much the same.)

Also, if you haven't read the 'Prologue', you'll probably be confused.

Stella

When I got home, I walked inside and dropped my backpack next to the door. Walking straight through the kitchen to the refrigerator, I grabbed a tub of strawberries and a container of Nutella. Sitting at the large island, I popped the Nutella open and dipped a strawberry in it, scooping up as much Nutella as I could get. That stuff must have been sent from the Gods because I swear, I can't live a day without it.

Stuffing my face quickly, I went to watch TV in the living room. My younger siblings, Joshua and Greta, wouldn't be home for a few hours; Josh had sports practices and Greta didn't get out of school for another hour.

I was the oldest of my siblings, while Joshua was the middle child and Greta was the youngest. Josh was 16 and a Sophomore, so we had to carpool to school in the mornings. I had just turned 18 a little over 2 weeks ago, which meant I would soon be graduating.

Greta was only 8 years old and in 2nd grade. She went to the elementary school right down the road and took the bus home after school, but since both she and my brother wouldn't get home for at least another hour, I got some alone time after school.

My sister and I looked a lot alike. Long, dark brown hair, bright blue eyes, thick eyelashes, pink lips with straight teeth, and a spattering of freckles on our cheeks made us stand out in our family. Both of our parents had blonde hair and my brother had lighter hair than we did. Despite our similar looks, I always thought Greta was more beautiful than me, even at her young age. Maybe it was just in the way she carried herself; she was raised to walk confidently and to love herself, two things I have always struggled with.

To say Greta was unexpected in our family is an understatement. The age gap between my brother and sister probably makes this obvious, but Greta was a huge surprise to us. My mother became pregnant with her third child when I was 9, while my brother was 7, so I knew the pregnancy was a little late. My mother had been on birth control, and my parents were only planning to have 2 children, so you could say they were pretty shocked.

None of us would take it back, though. Greta is a little princess and has all of us wrapped around her pinky finger, even my seemingly emotionless younger brother.

Flipping mindlessly through the channels, I thought back to what Mr. Moore asked of me today. I couldn't believe it! He asked me to tutor Chris Dalton! He was by far one of the worst students at our school. I mean, he was getting all F's and the teachers had to ask around for a tutor up to the challenge. If that doesn't scream awful student I don't know what does.

Not to mention he was a total bully. He was pushy and abusive and did whatever he could to get what he wanted.

The worst being when he shoved a "nerd's" head in the toilet to give him a swirly, later punching the kid so hard in the stomach he vomited all over the cafeteria floor.

I heard it was just because the kid wouldn't write Chris's paper for him. He got 2 weeks worth of suspension for it, but I was still nervous. No, actually, nervous was an understatement. I was terrified.

I was also nervous because Chris was undoubtedly attractive. I mean, smokin' hot attractive. He had brown hair and green eyes, with a strong jaw, and he carried himself in that confident way that screamed I'm sexy and I know it. And all the ladies know it. And some men.