Polar Opposites

Chapter 4

Tuesday flies by, and before I know it, it's Wednesday. I can't help but be a little nervous, as I start tutoring my new student this afternoon.

Lou called me last night to say he'd be late coming in, as something came up with his father. I offer to come, but he declines, telling me he'd meet at the normal spot for lunch.

Niall took the car, once again. I never ask for it anymore, since me and Lou take the bus and walk everywhere.

My mother got Niall the car for his 16th birthday, and just told me it was mine too after I didn't get anything.

My mother looks at me as the extra child she didn't ask for. She's uptight, and views Niall as herself in a man. She works in some time of business, I've never cared to figure out in what.

She and my brother hold a grudge to me, as I continue to see my father after everything that's happened.

My mother left my father years ago, after his alcoholism became too much for her to handle.  I think he started drinking when we were kids, I remember the screams I heard from they're bedroom as I tried to sleep. Years later I found out my mother was cheating on my father, and yet, she blames his alcoholism on the divorce.

Niall has always sided with my mother, while I with my father. He lives in Boston, and I see him rarely. Niall always says he doesn't care for us, and he only calls on holidays and birthdays, when I know he's just busy. He's trying to get sober, and he does the best he can.

I walk alone down the sidewalk, passing Lou'a house. I sigh, pinning a piece of hair out from my face. My messy bun falls to the side of my head. I pull the strings to my sweater tighter, hoping it'll bring more warmth to me. My yoga pants are thin, and my winter boots only come to my mid calf, giving little to no warmth to my legs.

I sit in my normal seat on the bus, blocking out the surrounding sounds with the familiar sound of Ed Sheeran filling my ears.

-----

I tell Niall to pick me up after his practice, since I have tutoring.

I grab my textbooks, and the paperwork Mr.Walsh gave me in regards to the student. I make my way into the library, receiving smiles from the Librarian, someone who sees me often.

I take a seat in one of the back, small rooms used for tutoring. I drop my books on the small table, and begin to text Lou, who never showed up today. I'm interrupted by the turn of the door nob.

When I look up, I nearly choke on my spit when I see the familiar green eyes from days ago. He slams the door shut, not bothering to say hello before taking a seat. He continues to text, and I can hear the music blasting from his headphones. I wait a few minutes, seeing if he will acknowledge me, he doesn't.

"Excuse me?" I still get no answer, just him tapping his pencil and smiling at his phone, I can't help but notice his dimples.

I sit there, amazed at how someone could be so rude.

Before I think about it, I pull his headphones out of his ear, causing him to glare at me.

"What the fuck are you doing!" He stares, waiting for my answer, when I barely know what I'm doing myself.

"Hi, I'm Nicole, your tutor." I try to smile, being the mature one here. He shakes his head, attempting to put his headphones back in, I tank them from his hand and throw them in my bag.

"Who the fuck do you think you are? Give me back my fucking headphones!" He reaches across from my, trying to grab them. I get a whiff of cool mint and a musty smell, and can't help but get chills.

I push my bag on my bag, and grab his arm, he just stares at it, in disbelief I have grabbed it.

"Listen, the last thing I want to do is be here on my afternoon, but this is my job and you need my help. Now, if you can stop being an asshole, we can get you on the path to success so you can get back to your fun, Kay?" He smiles, and let's out a laugh.

"It's hockey, not fun. Well, it is fun. But it's more than just a little game." I couldn't care less about it, that's all my brother talks about.

He stares at me as I write out problems, attempting to begin the process of my teaching.  I feel my cheeks get hot from his eyes, and I look up. He's staring at me, green eyes piercing my brown and he has his lip in between his teeth.

"Your friends with my brother Niall aren't you?" It's the only thing I can think of.

"Niall's your brother? No fucking way, he definitely got the better genes!" He laughs to himself, picking up his phone, probably to text him. My heart sinks a little, and I feel tears threatening, but I push them aside.

"You know what? This isn't worth it. Find another tutor you fucking prick." I attempt to gather my things, but he grabs my wrist. He suddenly becomes serious, causing me to stop and wait for his answer.

"I need this okay? I need to get back on the ice." I understand this is the closest to an apology I'll receive from him, and sit down, pushing over the sheet of problems and notes I took for him, and begin explaining.

I can't help but breathe in his scent, and observe his beauty for the whole hour.