Broken Nightmare

Chapter 17

 "Elana Berret to the math office, please. Elana Berret to the math office. Thank you." The loud intercom beamed right as I walked into the school. I looked at Claire, worried about why the math office would want me.

She shrugged. "Way to go, math geek. You're already in trouble," she teased before splitting to go to her locker.

My mind raced, trying to figure out why I needed to go to the math office. Maybe I failed my test and they wanted me in another class. Maybe they need to give me my math book. Did I drop my ID in class yesterday?

I slung my backpack to one shoulder to check the side pocket for my ID, but immediately regretted it. It felt like I really did dislocate my shoulder yesterday from the shooting range. Sleep last night didn't go so well, my shoulder aching and refusing to relax. Note, never choose shotgun as first choice gun. Ever. I slung my back pack onto two shoulders again.

At the beginning of the math hall, there was a classroom labeled, 'Math Office' with names of teachers underneath the title on the right. Glancing in, I saw a multitude of desks and shelves, teachers and various books and papers scattered in and unorganized manner.

Stepping in slowly, I looked around the room for Mrs. Brewer. At least, that's who I think I should be reporting to.

"Elana," she called from a desk on the left and swiveled in her chair so she could face me. "Come here, I'd like to talk to you."

I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat. How could I fail my favorite subject?

Mrs. Brewer saw the worry on my face as I approached her. "It's okay, I just had a question to ask you."

Her request surprised me. When I realized she was waiting for an answer I squeaked, "Okay."

"I run the tutoring center in the school, and, well, most of the tutors graduated last year and there are more kids that come in there than I can help. I looked at your test grade yesterday, and you didn't miss any questions. Do you like math?"

I nodded my head, starting to figure out where this was going and my shoulders relaxed a little. "Would you be willing to tutor some kids after school? It will only be about two hours or so. You get paid, and although it's crappy pay, it's still something."

My mind immediately went to gun practice after school and I thought about how free shooting made me feel. But then I thought about math and how I can think so much better when I do it. How do I choose between the two?

"You don't have to give me an answer right away, just think about it and let me know. I would really appreciate it if you do, though." Mrs. Brewer swung her chair back around and grabbed a purple textbook with 'Advanced Calculus' in bold black letters on the front. She handed it over to me. "Welcome to AP Calculus, I hope you enjoy the class," she said with a polite smile as I turned and walked back out the door.

Pulling out the school map, I tried to find my locker from here. After making a few wrong turns, I found the arch that said, 'Gym Wing' above it and walked through to find my locker. I emptied all the notebooks I had to take home for homework and grabbed the essentials I needed for my next three classes.

"Why did the math office want you?" A voice came from behind me and I shrieked and dropped my English folder, scattering empty notebook papers on the tile. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Ryan said and bent down to pick up my papers now scattered at my feet.

"They wanted to ask me if I would be willing to be a tutor for after school." I bent down and started helping him pick up blank lined papers.

"Are you going to?" I looked over at him to find his face mere inches from mine. Feeling uncomfortable, I quickly looked back down and finished gathering the papers and standing up.