6 06: The Day I Helped Her

JACKSON

"Dude what was that all about?" Jett asked incredulously as Jackson continued dragging him by the collar to a corner of the whole area, sitting on a table where three younger boys were playing an outdated card game. The boys gave them a glance and then didn't bother them, which suited Jackson perfectly.

"It's that girl," hissed Jackson as he uncurled his fist from Jett's shirt and sat down with an irritated huff. "She ticks me off so much I almost can't believe it. I've never met a girl so downright vicious to me."

Jett only laughed as he took the seat across.

"I actually think she's pretty cool," he said. Jackson raised both brows, unamused and disbelieving. "No, seriously. Maybe you've got a different opinion 'cause she acts different with you but man, did you see the smile she gave me? She's so cute."

"Bleargh don't even—" he sighed, frustrated. "What's cute about that imp? Did you see how she scowls and frowns at me like I'm some insignificant bug?"

Jett snorted and said, "Maybe 'cause that's what you are to her."

Jackson thwacked him on the head, Jett yowling in pain. "DUDE!"

"You're supposed to be on my side, dummy," Jackson said in a low voice. "And how Rodney outright asked if he could sit with her... you guys crazy or what? I don't ever wanna be in the same room as someone like that. She nearly killed my nuts, you know? How am I gonna have children then? I'll sue her."

Jett's only response was to snicker. Jackson leveled him a look which made him cough and sit up straighter.

"But you said you knew her?" Jackson blinked, taken aback at the sudden question. "How?"

"Oh I was assigned by a teacher to return these rods in the science lab so I did it after school. Then when I was carrying it, someone from another hallway dashed right in front of me and crashed into me. I couldn't see much of her since she was sprinting like a madwoman but when during gym and she looked at me, I remembered that she was the same girl from that time."

Jett nodded slowly in acknowledgement.

"Jade Alderson," he said, as if testing the name out. He huffed out a laugh and looked Jackson in the eye. "Bro, you've got the same first letters since you're Jackson Arden how cool is that?"

Jackson rolled his eyes. "Great; we've got the same first letters in our names. Just imagine what chaos that alone would bring." Then he scanned the room for a certain someone and couldn't help but blush slightly. His head lowered as he asked in a low tone, "Have you seen Trista around? I haven't seen her today at all. I need to see her so I can at least have a good day."

"Oh sorry man haven't. But hey, maybe you can look around?"

"I don't wanna be seen as a creep and stalker, c'mon," laughed Jackson as he rested his elbow on the table. "I gotta go get lunch. You stay here and don't go wandering to the guys, all right?"

His best friend pouted in mock defeat but then slapped him a wad of cash.

"Then go buy me food so we can eat together."

"Crazy idiot," Jackson exhaled as he stood and walked the cafeteria to get to the aisle that served food. He glanced at his three buddies who were hanging out with the girls, all six of them laughing at something Dirk did.

He caught a glimpse of that black-haired girl laughing, covering her open mouth with a palm and slapping the shoulder of one of her girl friends who had blonde hair that had a lighter shade than his. Jackson looked away before he could get caught, focusing on buying his and Jett's lunch.

But why did that girl have a nice laugh?

Classes resumed after lunch and Lyle was listening attentively to the teacher as he drew shapes on the board, Jackson's muddled mind causing them to morph into something cartoonish instead. Why did Math have to have shapes? Why did they need to measure them, seriously?

The bell rang to signal the last class for the day, students standing to pack their things, meet up with friends, and do whatever before dark. As Rodney was telling him about the history of robotics, the teacher Mister Simmons cleared his throat and called Jackson's attention.

"Mister Arden, a word with you?"

Jackson exchanged looks with his four friends who shrugged. Dirk gestured that they'd wait for him outside, Jackson smiling in thanks and walking near his teacher's desk.

"Yes sir? Is there anything wrong?"

The man's graying hair stood out and his large glasses magnified his eyes, which made him look more comical than sophisticated that he and his friends sometimes joked about him. But right now, Jackson could feel worry in the pit of his stomach. He knew he didn't do well in the latest test... he had a late night avoiding his mother due to a misunderstanding and his mind was far from class the day they took the test.

Mister Simmons sighed heavily and clasped his hands together, looking grave.

"You received a failing mark on the latest test, boy," he said. "If you don't do well in the next one I'm afraid your grades will drop. None of us wants a repeat school year and I would like to see you go along to the twelfth grade, you see."

Jackson nodded. "I understand, sir."

"Well then I'd like you to study well. Since I am not sure if you will go along with what I'll say, I want you to take up tutoring for at least a few weeks or so until the last test of the year." He started rifling through the papers. "May I refer you a student I know who can help or you will find a tutor of your own?"

"Oh I'd like to hear at least a suggestion from you sir since you seem so confident of that student," he said. What if it was Trista? Oh, joy.

Mister Simmons gave a brief smile and said, "Her name is Jade Alderson, very bright student."

Jade... wasn't that...

"Oh uh never mind sir, I'll just—"

"Too late I've already called her," Mister Simmons chirped as he turned to the door. "Hello dear come inside please."

Horror and dread in his stomach, Jackson turned to the door to see exactly her, a curious expression on her face as she went inside almost timidly. The moment her eyes found him her brows furrowed but she smiled politely at the teacher.

What—was he the only one who received death stares from this girl?

"Yes sir I heard you called," she said, standing a good few feet from Jackson. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes dear," Mister Simmons said. He gestured to Jackson, who swallowed nervously. Why was he suddenly nervous? So what if she found out he wasn't good at Math? "If possible, I would like you to tutor this boy until the last test of the year just as a precautionary so he won't be failing any more tests. You can refuse of course, it's your choice."

Jade blinked and looked to Jackson and the teacher a few times, clearing her throat.

"Oh so this is like... a temporary thing till he gets back on his feet?"

Mister Simmons nodded. "Yes, something like that. It's up to both of you to negotiate on the time and date and how often you'll meet but ultimately, I just want Mister Arden looked after so he doesn't go repeating grade eleven."

"Oh... well then I guess," she started slowly, feet fidgeting, "it's okay, sir."

He beamed and patted her on the shoulder. "Very well." He turned to Jackson. "I suggest to take every opportunity you have to study with her, Mister Arden. Not only is Miss Alderson good in math but very musical."

Jade laughed nervously as Jackson gave a wobbly smile and nodded.

"Thanks, sir. I appreciate the help." He glanced at the girl and couldn't bring it in himself to scowl since for some reason, she looked highly apprehensive.

He passed them both and went out the door, greeting his friends with finger gun gestures as Rodney whooped and slung an arm across his shoulders.

"What took you, man? We just saw Jade!"

"Yeah. Mister Simmons wanted me to be tutored and he recommended her so I guess if she's got that recommendation then she must be good, right?"

"Then you better start being nice to her," Dirk said with a grin. "I think she's the kind of girl who can beat you up if you do her wrong."

Jackson rolled his eyes, amused. "Please. I can take care of myself."

"Yeah but wouldn't hurt to be nicer to the lady, yeah?" Jett said with a wink. "C'mon who's in for the arcade before we head home?"

"Ooh I'm in," piped up Lyle. "A little fun before doing chores and homework at home."

Jackson detangled himself from Rodney and said, "Sorry guys I'm calling it early for today. Mom and Lillian are gonna be waiting."

"Ohh okay then. Tell your folks I said hi!" Jett said.

"And tell them we love 'em!" exclaimed Rodney as the four bid farewell, Jackson waving until they couldn't see him. Then his hand and smile dropped and he prepared to walk home when he saw four guys hitting on a girl.

It was almost an instinct to protect girls from men but when he saw who they were targeting, he paused. It took one look at her defensive body language to make a decision and he was running up to her crying out, "Hey darling!"

Jade and the four men turned and Jackson hesitated briefly before wrapping his arm around the girl's smaller shoulders. He flashed the men a toothy smile.

"Sorry pals, she's with me." He turned to Jade who was giving him a confused expression. He ignored that in favor of playing her lover and said, "Did you wait long?"

It seemed she got the hint since her eyes lit up and she wrapped an arm around his waist and cuddled to his side.

"Oh hey there sweetie. No, I didn't wait long but thanks for coming." To be more convincing, she reached up to plant her lips on his cheek for a quick second. Jackson's heart stuttered in its pace before thumping erratically at the sudden action.

The guys seemed to buy this since one of them chuckled, body posture relaxing.

"Hot gal. You're lucky."

Jackson laughed and said, "Yeah I am. She's just the world to me."

They all gave her a once-over, Jackson subconsciously going in front of her to protect her from their lustful gazes. The men didn't see anything suspicious and so went ahead, Jackson immediately dropping his arm when they were out of sight.

Jade then looked at him with a mix of confusion and fear but then shook her head to give a little smirk.

"Thanks for that."

"It's a subconscious thing now, helping girls who feel like they're cornered by guys." He hiked his bag strap higher on his shoulder. "So don't think you're the first woman I've held like that."

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Don't be so egotistical or else your head'll burst. Oh and about the tutoring? Just ring me up on reasonable hours. Aside from the thanks, I gotta tell you to work on your acting; it's so sloppy I almost barfed."

"What?!"

She was cackling and going away now, skipping home and waving merrily. Jackson narrowed his eyes at her but the dislike wasn't so intense now.

Again, why did she have a nice laugh?