Almost Paradise

Chapter 3- The Answer

7:40 AM Tuesday
      "Hey...Daniel," Lilly whispered.
        Daniel glanced from his textbook to Lilly. He went back to studying.
        "Daniel. Can you take a break from your textbook for a sec? I have something to ask," Lilly asked with her head down so she doesn't make eye contact.
         Daniel closed his textbook. He looked at Emily, Meagan, and Ray.
         They saw him look at him and knew the two needed privacy. They rushed out the classroom and tried to peek through the window.
         Lilly continued,"It's been a long time since we have talked. But um... Can you do me a favor? Remember those times when we would study together? Well, I still don't study and I get bad grades. I haven't changed really. So.... Can you help me raise up my grades? Will you be my tutor?"
          Daniel widened his eyes. I should not show affection. he thought. Daniel smirked.
          "No. I need to focus on my grades so I can get a good future, because unlike someone, I will reach it," Dan said. He regretted what he said instantly. He opened his textbook and pretended to study.
           Lilly was shocked. "I will reach it. If you tutor me. Please, Daniel. I know you don't care about this stuff. You don't care about having a good future. You just live your life however you want. Stop lying," Lilly said.
           Daniel closed his textbook with much force. "LILLY. I WON'T DO IT. WE ARE NOT FRIENDS, OKAY? I HAVE CHANGED SO LET ME BE!" he screamed.
           Lilly's friends closed their eyes. Except Ray. He could not let Daniel just yell at her like that. He was about to open the door.
           Lilly fell to her knees. "Please, just do me this one favor. I'm sorry. I don't want to do this either. I promise. I'll leave you alone after Friday's test. I don't need to get straight As, just this one test," Lilly begged.
           Daniel was speechless. He has known Lilly for many years. She was always bold, confident, and did not care about simple things like what others thought. Seeing her beg on her knees weakened his heart.
           "Get up. I'll tutor you until a certain time. For now," Daniel said, trying to be cold and show no emotions.
           Lilly hugged him. "Thank you, Daniel," she whispered.
           The group came inside the classroom and including Lilly, sat in their desks, eyeing each other. As more students came in, the became silent as could be until the teacher came.
LUNCH TIME(my favorite part of the day ◕ ◡ ◕ )
           "OH MY JESUS, LILLY. WHY DID YOU NOT JUST GIVE UP, GIRL. DANGGGG YOU BEGGED FOR HIM TO TUTOR YOU!" Emily yelled.
             Lilly blushed.
             Ray was eyeing Daniel's and Lilly's faces the whole time. He saw Daniel's sudden face change.
             "I can't believe he said yes. Do you think he still likes you?" Meagan asked. The group suddenly became silent.
He better not Ray thought.
             "I don't think he does... Anyways, Ray are you okay? You haven't been talking for a while," Lilly quickly said to change the subject.
               "You hugged him," Ray said with no expression.
              Lilly blushed, "I was so thankful. I wonder when we're going to start tutoring."
              Ray realized," That means you guys will spend a lot of time together everyday right? Studying. In one desk. Together."
               Lilly added," For a boring test."
               The group laughed.
2:25 PM
               As the bell rang to go home, Lilly walked to Daniel's seat.
"When should we start studying?" Lilly asked happily.
I remember this beautiful smile he thought. "Today. Your house. Right now. Let's go," he said while packing up.
Lilly and Daniel exited the classroom together, leaving the classmates in there whispering things about them.
Wow who is she?
Lilly. The girl that sits in front of us.
Omg she's walking with Daniel ┬┴┬┴┤ ͜ʖ ͡°) ├┬┴┬┴
She's lucky. But she needs to be careful...
Ray, Emily, and Meagan were left without Lilly. They walked home. Their houses were really close to each other, even Lilly's house, so when they walked home, Lilly and Daniel were in front.
Lilly and Daniel were very awkward as they walked together. Finally, Daniel asked," Why do you need me to tutor you when you don't care about grades?"
"This is kind of embarrassing, but my parents made me get a tutor..." Lilly sadly said.
Daniel smirked," And then my name was brought up?"
"Yeah," Lilly said. By my evil friends.
They were quiet the rest of the walk until they reached Lilly's house. The two of them walked into the house.
Daniel said,"Are your parents home?" ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
"No, they are working," Lilly replied.
Lilly and Daniel went to her room and sat on the rug.
Daniel smiled.
Lilly asked," Why are you smiling?"
Daniel coughed, "What? Oh uh nothing. I just... remembered the days after school when I'd come over after school and we'd sit here... I mean I don't miss them at all or anything." I totally played that off. He thought.
Lilly laughed. "I'm sure you don't," she teased, " Let's start!"
Daniel opened his book to the section they are learning currently.
"Okay. We are learning about math. I need to test how much you can do so I know where to start," Daniel said.
              Lilly tried the first problem of their homework. So far so good she thought. Then she got stuck.
              "Lilly. You can't do that? WE LEARNED THIS PART IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!" Daniel yelled.
              Lilly shyly smiled.
              Daniel sighed. He taught her the process, made her write notes of everything, and made her practice again and again until she made no mistakes. He taught her the other problems and more easy ways to solve them.
               Hours pasted.
               Lilly started to understand a little bit more, but it still wasn't enough for the test yet. Luckily, she had two more days before the test.
4:30 PM
                "Well, I think we are done for today. We'll do the same thing everyday ok? Also you owe me," Daniel said, then closing the textbook.
                "Wait what? What do I owe you? A wish everyday you tutor me," Lilly asked hoping it wasn't severe.
                "Deal. But can I ask something?" Daniel asked.
                Lilly nodded.
                "Can I tutor you longer than just until Friday?" Daniel asked.
                "Sure. If you want... Is it because of the wishes?" Lilly questioned.
                 "Whattttt? Nooooo.... Yes," Daniel replied, smiling.
                  They laughed. "Daniel? Do you LIKE to ignore me? You have been ignoring the group for years. I know deep in you, you still miss us right?" Lilly laughed.
                  Daniel didn't reply. She stopped laughing. "...I'll see you at school..Also, if you need help on anything school related, here's my number," he offered, as he wrote his number on a sticky note. Lilly thanked him.
                   Daniel grabbed his stuff and quickly left the house. He walked home. His house is close to Lilly's, but his was at the end of a street with a dead end. Lilly's and the group's houses are near the corner you pass before turning to Daniel's house.
                    Lilly smiled. I got him to talk more. I wish we could be like in middle school: a group of five best friends.