And then there was light

The Deal

The next morning, I make sure to be extra early for my class so that there is no reason for a repeat of yesterday. I walk at a relatively high speed while mentally patting myself on the back for all those years in track back in high school. I step into the coffee shop without the usual release of pressure on my shoulders and hurry over to the barista behind the counter. She gives me a look but doesn't question it. She knows well by now through the many late nights and early mornings I am here to never ask why I have tear stained eyes and what appears to be the weight of the world on my shoulders. Hell, I don't even know majority of the time.

I get to class ten minutes before it starts. I smile at myself for the tiny victory today. I start to unpack my notes and my laptop when Nate pulls up a chair beside me.

"You know there is a room full of seats, right?" I ask.

"Good morning to you too." Nate answers back.

"Sorry, good morning." I say back suddenly feeling very rude. "I'm a little tired is all." That is half the truth, but I don't really see myself telling the guy I liked for all those years in school that I stayed up late last night overthinking every decision in my life and nearly having a mental breakdown.

"It's fine. Anyway, what do you have planned later today?"

"Nothing... why?" I can't think of any reason he would be asking that. Is he...

"It's not what you think," I can practically see the cockiness in his eyes as he reads my expression. "I just need some help in math."

"You're asking me to tutor you?" I question. He can't possibly think this is a good idea. Then again, I am probably one of the only people he knows around here.

"Yeah, but only for a few weeks. I just need someone to walk me through some of the problems given in class."

"Ok, fine, but only a couple of weeks, alright?"

"Sounds like a deal." Nate agrees.

The professor comes in at that point, so we turn our heads to face the front listening intently on what he has to say.