Out of The Shadows

Math Test Stress

Monday morning came and went. I was let out of the basement, got ready for school, and unfortunately had to embarrass myself. As part of my punishment I have to ask Nathan to drink my blood, morning and night for a whole week. So this morning when he came down after getting ready for work I went up to him and stood silent for a while before I finally opened my mouth.

"N-Nathan w-will you d-drink my b-blood p-lease?" I barely got it out but was relieved when the whole thing was over. Once the bite was healed I left for the bus stop as quick as I could.

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The day flew by surprisingly fast and I was ready for home. I was still really tender from last night so Nathan agreed to pick me up. He was going to be late but I didn't mind; I got out of being in a bus full of idiots and was content with that.

By the time it got to twenty past three there was only two people left – Hunter and some random guy from my grade. Hunter and I got talking and were mucking about. When the familiar black car arrived. Hunter and I waved to each other as I walked to Nath's car. Nathan was giving me an annoyed look as I smiled watching Hunter.

"I don't want you talking to him again." He growled as we got back onto the road.

"What? Why?" I said snapping my head in his direction and his grip tightened on the wheel.

"Because I said so. Stay away from him."

"Can you at least give me a proper reason?"

"I don't want him near you okay!" He snapped. I sunk down in my seat and stayed quiet for the rest of the way home. 'What has gotten into him?'

I went straight to my room and changed out of my uniform once we got home. I did my chores and avoided Nathan altogether. Even if he had calmed down I didn't want to deal with it. I had at least an hour and a half worth of LP to get through, plus study for my test tomorrow. The whole thing was driving me mental.

I got through my LP by dinner, ate and went back upstairs not saying a word to anyone. I sat back at my desk and opened my study notes. I read through them and attempted some of the practise questions. I think I did alright on the first three, but got really stuck on question four. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. And after about ten minutes of trying I threw my pen at the wall in frustration, got up and paced my room.

"Alysha what's going on?" I heard Nathan say as he appeared in the doorway. I didn't answer and continued to pace up and down. He grabbed my shoulders and made me look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going to fail." I whispered with tears in my eyes. Nathan would be twice as angry with me then.

"What do you mean you're going to fail?"

"I can't get the whole concept of what trigonometry is in my head! I can't memorise anything, can't figure out simple problems and I'M GOING TO FAIL THE BLOODY EXAM! Then you are going to get mad because I failed and I will be in even more trouble!" I ranted. By the end of it I was breathing heavily and shaking. I can't deal with it.

"You will be fine baby, just relax and we can talk about it then." He said calmly, holding me to him. I gripped the back of his shirt and buried my face in his chest, trying to get my breathing back under control.

After five minutes I was calm and Nath dragged me over to my bed, sitting down on it and pulling me onto his lap. "I'm not that good with Math but I can try to help you. If I'm useless we can go pester Jess okay?" I nodded and stood up. Nath beat me to my chair and smirked. 'Such a child'