Flashcards On The Wall

Chapter 2: Meeting

(8 months before)

It's September. Three weeks after the start of junior year, my tutoring job at the university resumes as well. This is my second year being a tutor since I didn't work at the school as a freshman. Tiny is the only way to describe the tutoring rooms. I am sitting in one of the five chairs that surround a round wooden table. Besides the white board on the wall and a desk against the wall perpendicular to it, that's all that fits. A student is in the chair next to me. We've spent the last half hour translating. There's a knock and we both look up at the guy standing at the door. My first thought is: I've seen him before. His faded blue jeans and flannel long sleeve aren't necessarily what you'd think is cool, but all I can think is: I know him. He has dark brown hair, light brown eyes-almost honey colored-and fair skin. Clearly, he doesn't make much use of the beach here. Not that any of that matters.

"Hi. Can I help you?" I ask him.

"Are you the Spanish tutor?" the guy asked.

"I am one of them. Are you needing help in a class?"

"Yes," he answers.

"Alright well you're in the right place. Have a seat and I will be right with you," I say.

"Thanks."

I turn to the other student to check her work.

"It looks good," I love this part of the job, when they can do the work on their own.

"Really?" she sounds surprised.

"I told you, you've got this," I tell her again.

"I do," she agrees, and I see a confidence that wasn't present when she arrived.

"Did you want to go over anything else?" I ask.

"I think I'm okay. I'll come back if I need help," she states.

"Sounds good," I agree.

"Thanks Amelia."

"No problem."

I turn back to the guy, "So, now you. I'm Amelia by the way."

"Gabriel," he answers.

"Well it's nice to meet you Gabriel," I say.

"Same."

"I may be wrong, but you look familiar. Have we met?" I ask.

"I think we had a class together last semester. Communications," he mentions.

"That must be it. Believe it or not, it was going to bug me if I just stayed wondering about it," I admit.

"It's good that you broke the ice. Meeting people can be weird sometimes," says Gabriel.

"Especially when you kind of know them but not really," I explain.

"Exactly."

Then its gets quiet and like we had just been talking about, awkward.

"Anyways, you need help. Do you know what exactly you're having trouble with?" I ask.

"Everything," he answers.

"Todo?" I ask in Spanish.

"What's that?" he asks.

"Everything?" I answer.

"Yes, or si?" he asks.

"Okay, got that one. Everything is very broad. Let do this: Who's your professor?"

"Villasenor," he answers.

"Oh, you're lucky then," I say, "He's the best. Well, he's my favorite. Which I suppose doesn't make him the best, but I think so."

"You had him?" Gabriel asks.

"A couple times. He's great. His classes are a little tough, but it's only because he really wants you to get it," I explain.

"Is that why?" he asks.

"Let's see if we can figure out where you got lost. Then we'll go from there. Sound good?" I question.

An hour later Gabriel is not understanding a whole more, but my shift is ending.

"Come back if you want more help. I'm here three days a week. Or you can check out what days and times the other tutors are here. I kind of jump around a lot until I see what works but if you want to try a different tutor there's another girl and a guy. They're fantastic. You'll love them," I say getting up front my chair.

"I thought you explained things well," Gabriel follows my lead.

"I'm glad I didn't confuse you more than you already were. I do that sometimes," I admit.

"No, you were a big help," he looks as though he wants to reassure me as well as himself.

"You know, you will get it," I say.

"I hear it's possible."

"Really," I assure him, "Language is not much different from everything else. You being here is you making an effort. People that try and keep doing so eventually get to the point they want to be at."

"Sounds easier said. I don't suppose you know the equation for getting it faster, do you?" he asks.

"If I knew equations, I'd be in the math department instead of language, but you don't need one. Just practice and practice and practice. And if you've have some extra time, practice."

"That's it?" he questions.

"Sounds crazy right?" I playfully say it.

"I just need un poquito," he says, "enough for a decent grade."

"See you know some words," I say, "what else do you remember?"

"Clase is class?" he asks.

"Yes, that's a little bit easier," I say.

He smiles back at me and I can't help thinking: wow talking to him feels easy.

"Work on it," I say, "and don't stop trying."

I gather my things, but Gabriel doesn't move.

"You okay?" I ask.

"You said you were a neat freak," he states.

"I what?"

"You said that about yourself."

"Earlier today?" I'm confused.

"No, in Communications."

"You mean last year?"

"The first day. We all introduced ourselves and were asked to say one thing. That's what you said," he answers.

I think to myself for a moment, "That sounds just like me. I sound fascinating, don't I?"

"I didn't read much into it," he comments.

"You have a very good memory Gabriel," I observe.

"Only for some things," he answers.

"What did you say?" I ask.

"I said that I like playing sports."

"You win," I tell him, "For the record, I don't think organizing or cleaning is fun. It just calms me down."

"That's a weird way of relaxing," Gabriel comments.

I know. It's not for everyone.

"Probably but it works for me. I'll see you around Gabriel."

We both leave the small room at the same time. I talk to Fiona, my friend who is the receptionist at the front desk while he makes his way down the hallway, towards the elevators. I look back to where he still stands, thinking it's interesting we hadn't met before. Then, knowing that who he is is probably none of my business, I put it out of my mind.