Some Things You Can't Control

23: "Together"

Shorter update this time — Enjoy!
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Chapter 23

"Together"

- EDEN GARCIA -

By the middle of the week, it's safe to say I'm feeling more than a little worn out.

Dylan and I had been meeting up every day for maths tutoring. Usually, we did this during our lunch break - but sometimes after school as well.

Today was the latter.

The final bell had rung ten minutes ago. Instead of heading home like I usually would, I'd dragged myself back to the cafeteria to grab a coffee, and started sipping it on my way to the school library.

In the opposite direction to the flow of students eager to get out of this hellhole.

I envied every single one of them right now.

Yesterday, Dylan and I had decided we would meet at a table to the side of the library this time — far enough away from other people that we'd still be able to talk without being too disruptive.

The library is warm when I enter, and I'm somewhat surprised to see Dylan already seated at the aforementioned table, books spread out in front of him.

I make a mental note to thank him later for helping me out so much this week.

Especially since he's still injured.

Oops.

"Hey, Princess," he greets as I pull out the chair opposite him.

"Hey - you're early."

He eyes the coffee I set down on the table and lets out a small laugh. "Needed the extra caffeine today, did you?"

"For an after school maths class? Definitely," I confirm.

Dylan lets out a soft laugh.

And then all too soon, I'm setting my maths book open on the table in front of me. Dylan wastes no time, patiently explaining the first problem to me, and then working through it together.

Together — I'd never expected to use that word to describe Dylan and myself ever again.

Not that we're together.

Just working together.

And I can already tell this is going to be worth it.

Dylan Smith is going to be an absolute godsend for my maths grades this year.

I hear my phone buzz on the table beside me a few times, but I put all my effort into ignoring it. Since Dylan is sacrificing his lunch times and afternoons to help me get a passing grade, the least I can do is pay him my full attention whenever we're together.

There's that word again.

Together.

"Is this making sense?" He asks me quietly about half an hour later. He'd had to move around the table to sit beside me instead of opposite me.

"Mostly," I tell him honestly, "all thanks to you."

"You should give yourself some more credit."

I didn't deserve any.

"Except this part — what am I meant to do after this step, again?"

I lean back slightly so Dylan can have an uninterrupted view of the very messy page in front of me.

His pencil still in his hand, he leans in a bit closer and delicately fixes a mistake I'd made.

"See this?"

I try not to focus on how close we are, or on the warmth radiating between us where his arm is very nearly touching my own.

"Yeah?"

"You'd move this term over here- " he draws a small arrow on the page in explanation "- and then you can simplify this to get your final answer."

Oh.

I should've known that.

And coming from me, that's saying a very big something.

"Right."

I feel a sense of relief as he backs away a bit again. It gives me the space to be able to think straight, and to focus on the work in front of me — not on whatever delusional thoughts creep into my head whenever I'm around him.

Whenever I'm reminded of each of the little things I used to love about him.

~•~

Two and a half hours later, we finally emerge from the school library.

Exhausted and hungry, yes. But not confused.

And that's a big win.

The sun has dropped lower in the sky, dusk quickly approaching. By now, Dylan and I are nearly the only people left on campus. Only a few other people could be spotted moving between buildings. Mostly teachers.

I thought it would be weird hanging out with him again — even just talking to him. But somehow we've managed to find our way back into our old groove.

Back to how we were back before everything had turned to utter shit between us.

"Your test is tomorrow, right?" Dylan questions.

"Unfortunately." The thought makes my stomach drop.

"Feel free to message me later tonight if you have any problems. I'll be free if you want to meet up at any stage to work through anything," he offers. "Or if you want to just hang out."

Is he trying to... spend time with me?

Romantically?

This cannot be good.

"Thanks for the offer," I smile. "I think I should be okay, but I'll let you know if I have any problems."

"Let me know how your test goes, too."

I laugh. "Oh, don't worry, you'll probably be the first one I tell. It's the least you deserve for all of your help."

"Who knows, if you do well we might even have to get a celebratory lunch. Or dinner."

Definitely trying to get me to meet up with him.

Despite everything going smoothly between us since we've started talking again, getting a gauge on Dylan's intentions towards me is a different ball game entirely. Sometimes he seems content with just talking again, and other times, it's like he wants more.

A lot more.

I don't know what to make of that.

"We'll see what happens." It's a completely non-committal response, but it's the best I have to offer him.

The only thing I'm willing to offer him right now.

My head is an absolute whirlwind of emotions, and I was determined to make it through my maths test tomorrow morning before I even started to contemplate any of them.

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