Bully or friend (Camren)

Chapter five

"So, she just lashed out on her maths book?" Dinah interrogated, tilting her head slightly with shock at Lauren's outburst as Camila nodded rigorously. "Well, have fun sitting next to the psycho, I've got to get to class, see you later."

As Camila strolled into her class after a large hug from Dinah, most students were sat on their desks, chatting with their friends, waiting for the bell to go and start the school day. She kept her head low and rushed passed Lauren and her best friend, Jenny, but there was no flying under the radar for her. Unexpectedly, Jenny stuck her foot out and tripped Camila over which caused her to fall straight to the floor and her books scattered all over the place whilst everyone sniggered loudly at her. One landed next Lauren's foot and as Camila collected her belongings quickly, the green-eyed girl booted her book across the room which earned her a high five from Jenny. She huffed under breath, gathering her belongings and setting them on her desk. This was the Lauren she had grown accompanied to; an idiot.

Once Mr Philips entered the room, everyone settled down and prepared for another lesson of maths as usual. Only Lauren wasn't paying attention since she was too busy passing notes back and forth from Jenny and, fortunately for them, there were only three people between them who were not interested in maths too and didn't mind being messengers. It pained Camila to see her like this. It was obvious actions like this that Camila knew she could help if they were on good terms. If they were friends now, she would have ripped the note up and helped Lauren focus then let her copy up the notes she had missed from the board. Her book only consisted of today's date, 12th February 1996, and the title, Quadratic Fractions. She was currently struggling to understand the complexity of the topic and she couldn't imagine how much Lauren was going to struggle when she eventually figured out what they were doing. She then found herself questioning why she was worrying over Lauren so much, not worrying, she corrected, thinking. She was thinking of Lauren, definitely not worrying. She could care less about Lauren and her failing grades. Once the class ended, Mr Philips ordered two people to stay behind: Camila and Lauren. Whilst Camila was questioning why she was being asked to stay, Lauren was wondering which reason it would be today. They both stood in front of the desk, waiting for him to stop fiddling with papers and other unnecessary objects and to explain himself.

"Lauren, as much as you make teaching unbearably painful for me, I do not want you to fail," He started, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, staring straight into her soul. "So, in hopes of saving your maths grade, I am assigning Camila as your tutor."

"No way in hell am I doing that," Camila replied with a scoff, folding her arms over defensively as she shook her head displaying her stubborn side.

"If you do this, Camila, you will get a personal statement for your college application from the headteacher plus extra credit," Mr Philips explained with a smug smirk, raising his brow challengingly. "You're a smart student and you know that a personal statement from the headteacher would get you into nearly any college across the country, especially with the extra credit."

"What if she doesn't pass?" She questioned, unwinding her arms slightly as she became more intrigued by the offer.

"It doesn't matter, you'll still get them," He answered, returning his gaze to his papers, "I'll allow you both to decide when you want to do study together. You must document five hours of tutoring every week for the next three months and if Lauren passes then I shall terminate the tutoring; I advise an hour a day so, you're both dismissed."

The walk out of the classroom was the awkwardest. The two girls kept their eyes glued to the ground, both of them waiting for the other to start the conversation. Each of them realised this was the first time in years they would hang out, that's if you could even call it hanging out. Camila couldn't believe what she had been roped into it and, with Mr Philip's persuasion, she didn't have much of choice. She also desperately wanted a headteacher's statement and extra credit if she ever wanted to attend a school out of state which was all she wanted. She couldn't stand staying in this town for another couple of years.