Element

✯ Chapter 14

Oh gosh. I really hope Rhodes will be fine on his testing. For the last two days, both of us have been working so hard. Since there are no classes on Saturday and Sunday, we've worked for a total of ten hours. It's like he's obsessed. If he doesn't pass, he'd go crazy! I promised I'd be be his coach, so here I am. Telling him on Sunday night he can do it, which he can.

"Rhodes, don't worry! You'll do just fine!" I try to comfort him, but he's so anxious he can't concentrate. "Rhodes, Rhodes. Look at me." His hazel eyes meet mine. "You've been working so hard! The only thing standing in your way is nerves. You have to concentrate, okay?"

"Yeah, okay. I guess I do need calm down a bit." He really does need to calm down. He's gotten really steady, even at 20 feet! Also, he has nearly no trouble changing directions. We finally notice how late it is when an icy breeze comes through.

It rustles the willow's branches. I guess the willow is our place. We always come here together. I shiver.

"C'mon Ramaya. We should probably get inside." He was right. It was after dinner, and I didn't want to get caught. I'm taking after Parisa and Aately, I think. But I liked being here with him. I finally feel comfortable around him, well most of the time. I still get that shy feeling in my stomach occasionally.

We walk back towards the dorm hall, until we come to the first stairway.

"Well, this is my stop." Rhodes and I stand in silence for a little bit.

"Ramaya?"

"Hmm?" I'm lost in thought, even though I'm not thinking. He kinda makes me that way. Dazed.

"Thanks for tutoring me and all. I know if I was at your level I wouldn't want to." He says, his voice is nearly a whisper, as if he's about to cry.

"I'm sure you would've Rhodes. And I don't thank me. I enjoyed tutoring you." I say with a sincere smile.

"You did?" He asks nervously. Every last second. I think to myself.

"Yes."

"If I don't pass, can you still help me?"

"I'll help you even if you do pass. But for now, please, don't stress. We still have two more nights until testing. But I do think you should take tomorrow night off. You need it,"

"Okay, what ever you think is best." He replies, smiling softly. I smile back. Without warning, he pulls me into a hug. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything."

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"C'mon Rhodes! You can do it man!" I hear Gavin yell. It's Wednesday, the day of second-testings. I know Gavin's yelling will make Rhodes nervous, so I walk over to him.

"Hey, um, Gavin, right?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I know Rhodes is your friend and all, but I think all your yelling can throw him off."

"Oh okay." He says, looking disappointed. "Wait. Are you Ramaya?"

"Um, yeah." I reply.

"Ohhhhh, so your the girl Rhodes keeps talking about!" I blush profusely. Rhodes talks about me to his friends?

"He's right! You sure are pr-" He's cut off by another one of Rhodes' friend, cupping his hand over Gavin's mouth.

"I'm sorry, Gavin here has no idea what he's talking about." With that, Gavin is dragged away.

"What was that about?" Alanna says over my shoulder. I jump up in surprise, and hit her in the chin with my shoulder.

"Owwwww." She whines.