PRETENDER

Chapter 3

Weekdays was end, it means my torture time will about to start. I checked my phone and I saw Chloe sent me her address and she said that I need to come at three o'clock in the afternoon. The last time I talked to her, she said she will text me on Thursday or Friday but she texted me on Saturday. Maybe she didn't know much about days.

I was on my way to Chloe's house since I didn't know the place I input the address on my waze. I parked my car three blocks before her house even though I didn't know the person who lives here. I started to walk and finally saw her house. It was not bad, it was bigger than the middle class person's house.

I pressed the doorbell but no one answered. I pressed it again and the door opened, it was Chloe. "Hey I'm Nate". I said.

She didn't smile, "I'm fucking remember you. What do you think of me? An idiot? Come in before somebody will see you." I wanted to say that she is an idiot but I didn't want to get mad on our first day.

I was inside of her home and it was so clean and organized. We were in their living room, I sat down and put my bag near me. She also sat and it amazed me because her book in Algebra and notebook were on the table. I looked at the surroundings and noticed she was alone in this house. I also saw their family portrait. She doesn't have a sibling, she was the only child that's why she was so spoiled.

"Hey before we start, I just want you to know that we can't be friends. You're just tutoring me, that's all. You know I have a boyfriend. I don't want him to get jealous for a guy like you. After this don't you ever talk to me again but I'm thankful you help me.", she said.

Many students in our school like her because she was pretty and hot but for me she was nothing to me. With that kind of attitude she was a rubbish girl for me.

I sighed, "No problem, totally fine with me. I will only talk to you whenever I'm at your home. Anyhow what is the lesson you didn't understand in Algebra?"

She answered, "To simplify an equation."

It was basic, I knew she didn't know the basics of Algebra. I said, "Alright, let's start."

I explained and taught her the easiest way to simplify. I was thirsty and Chloe never offered me a drink or food. We spent two hours and I didn't know if she totally got it. I packed my things and still there were no other people inside. Our home was really huge and parents were always not at home but I didn't feel alone because we have maids, butlers and my little sister.

I stood up, "Just text me if you want me to help you again."

"Yeah sure. Thank you for today."

I wasn't sure if she meant it. I nodded and walked out. I got in my car and thought that Chloe's life was sad. I didn't want to judge her. This was only our first day, maybe her parents had a party to attend or they were like my parents, busy in their business.

***

I was walking to the parking lot at school, I saw Chloe sitting under a tree with her boyfriend. Jacob Mahl was a basketball varsity player and a star player of the team. He was six foot tall, had black hair, brown eyes, good looking, good body, mean, and rude like Chloe. They were meant for each other, nice couple. They were kissing but Chloe's face was not happy. She stood up and said goodbye to him, leaving Jacob's face shocked.

Friday night Chloe texted me saying she wanted me to tutor again tomorrow and same time. Since I didn't have any plans, I replied to her that I will be coming.

I overslept and woke up at 1:30pm. I was in my car at two o'clock. From here to her house it took me 30 minutes so there was more time to buy myself food. I only bought one burger and one soda. I didn't buy food for Chloe because maybe she thinks I'm teasing her. A cheerleader doesn't eat carbs.

I was in her house and she was alone again. I sat then put down my paper bag from the burger shop on the table and I took my book from my bag. I didn't care what she would say to my food because I was so hungry I needed energy.

She was looking at the paper bag. "Did you buy food before going here? Didn't you eat first at your home?"

"I overslept. I'll be late if I'm going to eat at home so I bought food."

"We have a lot of food here, you know that right? I'm not a stingy person."

"It's no big deal I swear. I don't want to come here and tell you I'm hungry. I'm not rude to find food in other houses. The last time I was here you never offered me anything a food or drink. So I decided to buy my food.", I explained.

She was shocked in embarrassment, "I'm sorry. I didn't think of it."

"No worries. Let's start our lesson."

"No, it's not okay Nate.", her face was really sad.

"Seriously it's alright. How about the next time I will come here you can give me food and drink."

"Very well let's start." That was fast.

We spent 3 hours and I thought that she didn't want to end but I wanted to go home because it was getting late. "That's for today. We can continue this next time."

She looked at the clock and frowned, "Sure. Thank you for today."

I hate her but living alone was so sad especially when you are a star in school. I need to ask her if she was really alone just my curiosity. "Are you alright here all alone?"

She looked at me with a sad face. "Yeah I'm alright. I'm Chloe for crying out loud. I'm always alright".

I packed my things and said without looking at her, "Okay. You know sometimes it's okay not to be okay". Why did I say that? I know she was alright, she said it. I wanted to end this conversation. "I need to go now. See you later."

"Yeah I know but I'm always telling myself that everything will be alright no matter what the problem will I encounter." She sighed, "Can you stay for a couple an hour? Do you want to have dinner here? Please. Since you make myself bad, I need someone to talk to."

I really wanted to go home but seeing her sad face makes me wanna stay. She was right if I didn't ask her if she's alright she will not be sad. I said, "Sure".

She cooked pasta. I was amazed because she only took 30 minutes to cook it. We sat down on their dining table silently. I took a bite and it was not bad.

She sighed, "Three weeks ago my parents started keeping busy. I only see them once a week, sunday. We have a big problem in our business but they didn't say what it is. They said that I don't need to worry about it, they will take care of it." She stopped and took a sip on her water. "The problem is I can't focus on my study. I always think about them. It's really hard living alone."

I'm not good at talking, especially when someone tells me their problems. "Most of the parents didn't want their children to worry. You know the truth is we can't help them, we're useless for now. That's why they told us to study hard because that's the only thing that we can offer help to them. Seeing their child accomplish and develop makes them proud." I didn't know what I say. I need to change the topic. "Anyway your pasta is really good."

She laughed, "Thanks. Please don't tell it to others."

"Sure I will not tell anyone about your problem and your pasta".

She smiled, "I'm just wondering why you're normal talking to me? Other boys, especially nerds like you are nervous talking to me and they are always stuttering. Are you straight? No offense please"

I smiled, "Of course I'm straight. Let's say that you're not my type. No offense."

"None taken. So you're different from the rest of the boys. It means it's safe for me because we're all alone here, I know that you will not do anything bad to me."

I laughed, "Trust me I will not."

We finished our dinner. "It's getting late, I need to go now."

"Yeah of course. Seriously thank you for everything."

"No problem, take care yourself."

"Sure thanks." she smiled. We said goodbyes and I was starting to walk towards my car.