Perfect love

Let Me Make It Up

"What do you mean you're quitting?" asks Mark.

"Yeah, Captain, I'm done playing this nonsense," Jude says.

I stay standing in shock. Why is Jude quitting? After all they've lived through?

"Why are you doing this, Jude?" this time it's me who asks.

The two boys turn to me and Jude frowns.

"It's none of your business."

"But it's mine! Jude, you can't just leave! Not after all!" Mark shouts.

"I don't fucking care!"

"You do! I can see it! I can see that you're not being honest! So why? Why are you lying?" Mark's fist collides with the concrete wall.

"You wanted tutoring, right? Let's go," Jude says, ignoring Mark and grabbing my wrist.

He pulls me as he walks away, down the hill to the school's library.

__________________________

"I know how to do it!" I shout at Jude.

Everyone at the library looks at us. A few "shhhh"s are directed towards us and Jude gives me a stern look.

"You obviously know, Shiori! Why, then, do you need a tutor?" he asks, desperation obvious in his voice.

"I don't."

"Obviously," he huffs.

We finish going over some equations in silence and he starts doing some work of his own. I slump on the chair and heave. Jude is finishing some of his stuff, pulling off the I'm-very-concentrated face. He suddenly turns to me and I look away, embarrassed that he caught me.

Now that I think about it, having him ignoring me, pretending to actually be tutoring me was way better than being stuck in this awkward, unhelpful situation.

Damn it and my ability to ruin my good times.

And let's just hope that Jude doesn't actually report to Mrs. Get-A-Tutor that I'm completely capable of doing everything.

I definitely don't want a weekly visit to the school council.

Though if he's good looking I might not mind it that much.

"Why do you need a tutor, Shiori?" he asks, putting his pen down.

"Why are you quitting the football team, Jude?"

"That's personal," he says in a defending manner.

"Mine is none of your business either. And this benefits us both, so don't ruin it. You get your nice-tutoring-boy title and I don't get reported to my parents."

He looks at me intensely. I can see the outline of those feline eyes that paralyzed me the first time through the glasses and look away.

Obviously I'm confident and outgoing, but there's something about those eyes that make me stop. I skim through the back of the books on the nearest shelve until one stands out.

Top ten kidnappings of history.

I get up and walk towards the shelf. The book's loin is from old leather. As I take it out I caress the cover, going over the sunken letters. The book is tied with an old cloth cord and as I untie the knot and open the first page a small paper slips falls to the floor.

I kneel to get it when I notice a pair of feet in front of me. I jump out of my skin and fall flat on my butt.

"FUCK! You scared the shit out of me, Jude!" I scream as quietly as I can.

"What is it about?" he asks.

"Not even a sorry? Heard you were more of a gentleman than that," I scoff.

He gets up and bends down, one hand behind his back and one in front of him, offering his help.

"I'm sorry, m'lady, let me help you up," he mocks.

I know he's playing with me.

Fuck, I do.

Why then, do I accept his hand?

I'm stupid. Like, no working neurons. Not even one.

He pulls me up with a bit of extra force but before I crash into him he holds my waist in place. His hand lingers a second longer and then he bends down to pick up my book.

I feel my cheeks flush as I realize what happened. I let my hair fall into my face as I go to grab my bag.

"Top ten kidnappings of history..." he mutters to himself, "I'll be damned if someone says you're not wierd."

"Ha ha, very funny. Just give it back, will you?"

He hands me the book and grabs his bag.

"Bye."

___________________________

I'm walking back home when I hear groans and clashes. As I get near, I see Mark pushing a huge tire tied to the tree, and then stopping it with his hands. The tire pushes him back but he keeps repeating it.

"Hey, Mark," I call.

He turns to me after stopping the tire.

"Oh, hey Shiori," he smiles faintly.

"What is this?"

"I'm just training," he says.

"That seems like a harsh training, you could get hurt."

"Yeah, but I usually just get stronger," he winks at me jokingly.

His smile drops and he slightly frowns.

"How was Jude?"

I shift uncomfortably on the spot.

"Um... He was... He's a mystery... I couldn't tell if he was any different, sorry," I answer.

"It's okay. And if he ever gives you trouble I could always tutor you, okay?" he says with a soft smile.

I nod and tell him I have to go home.

_________________

As I open the door I hear the kettle whistling. Dad is sat on his desk, aggressively typing something apparently more important that our dinner.

"Hey," I call.

My dad nods, acknowledging me but barely.

I go upstairs to my bedroom and throw my bag on the floor. I plop on my bed and stare at the ceiling.

Such a day. A fucking emotional roller-coaster.

I just want to sleep it off.

My phone lights up and a text from my dad appears on the lock screen.

Dad:
Let's play a bit outside. I'll go as soon as I can.

I drag myself to put my shoes on and go outside.

___________________

It's already turned dark. I've been kicking the ball around by myself for almost 45 minutes and my dad still isn't here.

Obviously.

He never is.

I dribble around some cones and shoot.

Goal.

I give up on waiting and sit down on a grassy area. I have one new message.

Unknown number:
I'm sorry for what happened today. I'm not usually like this. Let me make it up. Tomorrow at the ice-cream place after-school?

I know who this is. I know this. And I'm not going to go through it again.

I exit the chat and look for Mark's contact.

Me:
Hey, after thinking it through, I'm going to take you up on that offer. When are you free for the first tutoring session?