It's Different

Chapter Seven

For the next couple days, I was able to be productive. Eleanor surprisingly didn't bother me and again she was barely in the room so that worked out in my favor. Today I had my first test and I was scared as shit because I wasn't sure that I was ready at all. I got a message from Hazel saying that she was downstairs waiting for me. After the first day of school, we had been walking to our classes together every day. When I arrived, I went to one of the back rows of the class and tried to memorize some more notes.

"It's no use to try to memorize last minute," I heard Alaric's voice from behind me. I didn't turn around. I've been trying my best to ignore him, however he was so persistent. "her tests and quizzes are made up of case studies, you're required to understand the material to pass," he continued then the lecturer stepped inside.

"Be quiet," she said as she entered the classroom and she began passing papers around. "You have 50 minutes to complete this, then we take the last 10 minutes to briefly discuss what I expect to see on your submissions, no cheating, good luck." She said as we began. When I looked at my paper, I felt my stomach tie into many knots. Alaric was right, it was a case study and I hadn't retained enough information to unravel the answer. I was screwed, I read the paragraph and then again because the first time I read it felt like I was reading it in Greek. After the 50 minutes was over, she collected our papers then went on to discuss the variety of points that she expected us to explain, which was nothing close to what I had written. I needed help, there was no doubt about that.

When class was over, I hurried along to reach out to Alaric who had sped out of the classroom as if he was in a hurry.

"Hey Alaric!" I called out to him through the hall. He halted and turned around watching me me in confusion and a slight smirk on his face. "I need your help," I said softly as I reached up to him. I was embarrassed that I was asking the distraction for help, but I had no choice but to put my pride aside, I couldn't afford to fail. We started to walk.

"What's your name?" he smirked. I watched him expressionless.

"What does my name have to do with anything?" he smiled and remained silent. "Cocky much?"

"You need to stop being so tense, I'm not going to kidnap you. There are too many people around anyways," he grinned.

"So you say," I replied sarcastically. "So?" I asked, "Are you going to help me or not?"

"Name?" he shot back.

"Sophia,"

"Hmm,"

"What? My name isn't high standard enough for you?" He laughed.

"That's not it."

"So what?" I asked

"I'm trying to think of a nickname for you."

"Why?" I was puzzled, I hope he wasn't thinking that I wanted to be friends with him now. No, Alaric, I only want to use you for your academic knowledge so that I could continue my upward trend in life.

"Because I don't want to call you what everyone calls you," he stared at me as a stared back awkwardly. "Do you have a middle name?" he asked finally.

"Really?" I asked, he smiled.

"Leah," I stated as I realized that being defensive wasn't going to help me.

"Okay Leah, I'll help you, give me your number and I'll message you the details."

"Just admit that you only want my number," I rolled my eyes.

"I want your number Leah," he said flirtatiously, I couldn't help but roll my eyes again. I took his phone and entered my number.