Dear Diary

Chapter 15

Today is the day I finally get tutored by Cole. Am I nervous to the point of bringing up my breakfast? Definitely. However, no matter my feelings, I had to try and keep a level-head around my mom as she drove me to school. She would get suspicious if she saw me acting nervous and then she would definitely ask questions - which is something I would like to avoid at all costs.

The car screeched to a stop and I tried to refrain from ducking my head as I saw a few heads turn. 

"Okay, Mom, remember I'm coming out an hour later today," I said as I hopped out the car, after throttling the door for a moment for it to open, and grabbed my bag.

Mom nodded. "Yes, Lizzy, I know and if you come out a little earlier and I'm not here then please stay inside the school building until you see me," she instructed.

"I know, Mom," I sighed trying to keep from getting irritated. 

Why does she keep telling me that? I already know; I'm not seven!

"Bye, sweetie," Mom said and I quickly walked into the school grounds as I heard the car's fan-belt squeal as she took off into traffic.

-

"So, are you finally going to tell who your maths tutor is?" Anne asked me quietly as we sat down in maths, the last lesson of the day.

 Anne had been pressing me all day, but she knew that I didn't like discussing my maths in front of the rest of the group, so we never really got to talk about it. It's not like I don't trust the rest of them, but I was still wrapping my own head around this whole thing myself. Besides, I didn't want Natalie on my back every day about details. I wouldn't be able to handle that.

I glanced around the bustling classroom to make sure no-one was listening and lowered my head. Anne copied my movements. 

"Okay, just please don't make a big deal of it," I whispered and Anne instantly nodded her head. I took a deep breath. "It's Cole."

Anne stayed silent for a solid minute as she stared at me, blinking every once in a while. Her unwavering gaze made me squirm in my seat. 

"Really?" she finally responded and I nodded looking at my shoes. "How?" she questioned and glanced backwards to see Cole staring at the wall while Mr Tuttle began writing down equations.

I shrugged. "I guess he's smarter than he looks?"

"How did Richard take it? And your mom?"

"My mom knows I'm being tutored, just not by whom," Anne raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you know what my mom's like. I'll never live it down if she found out a male stranger was tutoring me alone. And Richard ... didn't take it too well."

"What do you mean?" Anne's eyes flickered with worry.

"He wanted me to change tutors. He doesn't like the thought of me being alone with Cole because he might ... take advantage of the situation."

Anne's eyes widened and she leaned in closer. "Do you really think he would do something like that?" she glanced to the back of the class again.

"I have no idea, but Richard won't give him a chance anyway. There are cameras in the classrooms and he's going to wait outside just before we finish. It was the only way I got him to agree to the tutoring."

"He's mighty protective of you," Anne said with a smile and I shrugged.

"He's always been like that."

"I wonder why ..." Anne teased, causing me to narrow my eyes at her.

"Don't start with that again," I warned making her laugh quietly for a moment before she turned serious again.