1 Tutor

I walk into the office with an exasperated sigh ''Come in Frankie,'' the dean ushers me with his hand. I look around and sure enough, I am alone. I find my way to the front of his desk and he has a smile on his face. I don't know why he called to see me but I can't help but panic.

I am on a scholarship.

The only reason the dean of the faculty could possibly call me it must be some kind of bad news. I look at his features and his brown eyes bore into my face. The glasses on his face is so thick they make his eyes look a million times bigger.

''Have a seat,'' he urges me almost like he wants to get this meeting over with. I obey his order and sit down on the chair opposite him.

''I'm sure you are wondering why I called you here,'' I nod my head immediately and he chuckles loudly which leads to a snort. He places his hand on the table and I notice his shirt sleeves are pulled up to his elbows.

I sneak a few glances at the office and I remember the first time I was here. I remember being given this opportunity. Getting the scholarship to Claridge University Connecticut is a big deal. It came with so many opportunities. I was finally able to escape my life in Kentucky Louisville. It might not seem like a big deal but to me, it is, I cannot mess this up.

''Did I do something wrong?'' I have kept my GPA up. I have been a Model student, I can't really think of something at the moment. Mr Burton laughs shaking his head ''I'm sorry if I made it seem like you were in some kind of trouble. I actually called you in because I need a favour.''

I crease my brows still confused—he continues "I know you said you were not interested in our tutoring program,'' I nod my head immediately in agreement. I am terrified of talking to people. It's social disorder and being a tutor requires socializing and I can't do that. Mr Burton runs his hands through his hair. I hide a chuckle because he is bald and seeing someone bald running their hand through invisible hair is very amusing "I need you to tutor someone," I shake my head already panicking. He raises both hands ''Listen to me first. This is not an order from the Dean. This is a request from a father,'' he sighs and his expression hits me hard.

''You have a son?'' I ask very curiously.

He nods his head ''Yes I do. I am sure you have heard of him around, his name is Ace Burton,'' I cringe at his words. I do know Ace. Everyone knows Ace. He is the hottest boy on campus. I know that sounds cliché but it is true. He is the guy that makes other guys jealous. I might seem like I am exaggerating but I am not. Ace is every girl's dream. He makes them all quiver. He has the looks of a god. He is perfection.

''Seriously?'' I can't help myself. Dean Burton chuckles and shakes his head.

''Unfortunately...yes,'' he sighs loudly ''but that's beside the point. I know this is a lot to ask for but I need you to help him. He is barely scaling through and at this point, he will not only be kicked off the football team.''

''Why are you asking me?''

'' Because somehow I know you are the only one that can help him. You have the highest GPA in the faculty. You are a model student. You don't cause any trouble,'' even though he is complimenting me. I know why he is asking me. His son will never in a million years be attracted to someone like me. He won't be distracted because I am nothing like the girls he usually hangs around with. Jake has been known to have a thing for hot girls—a lot of hot girls.

I am the definition of a plain Jane. I am not skinny, I am too short, and I've got freckles all over my face. I wear granny glasses. Dean Burton probably thinks I am the best fit to tutor his son.

''I can't do it,'' I dismiss immediately.

He sighs ''I will pay you. It won't have anything to do with the school and the tutoring program. I'll give you a hundred dollars an hour'' I spring up to look at him. I could really use the money. I need the money in fact.

''I don't think I can do it.''

He shakes his head '' I know you can. It will just be three times a week. You could help him with his study guide. Prepare him for each class. He is really behind and he could use your help.''

It's a tempting offer, I don't have the opportunity that other people have. I am fending for myself. I don't have anyone to call a family. I was in the foster system until I turned eighteen. Now all I have is this school; I am going to make something of myself and right now a hundred bucks an hour means I could take a break from working at the diner. It really clashes with my studying and tutoring ace will be a lot easier than waiting tables.

Dean Burton is watching me and I can tell he is waiting for me to make a decision. I know the right answer. I have to do this. This is an opportunity to get out of my shell. I need to learn to socialize and I guess this is a start.

'' When do I start? ''

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'' You staying in again?'' I look up and Alicia has a weird expression on her face. I nod my head and she walks over to her dressing table and sits on the stool in front of it. She applies something to her face with a makeup brush and I can tell she is going out. I watch her as she continues; this time pouting her lips and applying the reddest lipstick I have ever seen.

Her blond hair shines and she sprays some hairspray on it clouding up the room. She packs up her hair into a messy bun and I watch as she lets some strands fall down her neck ''You sure you don't want to come along? I hear this party is going to be awesome,'' she tries to convince me but I give her my usual excuse ''I have a lot of homework.''

She rolls her eyes and puts on pink heels, I am still watching her through my books. I wish I could be normal like her. I don't have the courage to try. I want to go to parties. I want to have a boyfriend—the whole college experience but I am scared.

I am scared of normal.

''I'm out,'' she walks over to the door and waves. I watch her escape from the room and release a breath of relief. I know she really didn't want me to come along. I know she pities me.

I grab my phone and unplug my charger from the socket. I unlock it with my password and see a few text messages from Izzy. Izzy is my foster sister. We lived in the same house when I was fifteen. She was the only person I had gotten along with. She was so full of life and even though she was younger than me by three years, we were always together. I got protective of her and even though I am out of the system and she isn't, I still keep in contact with her.

Izzy: please call me

Izzy: Frankie. R u there?

Izzy: hello

I frown from the texts; this has me worried. She had called me a couple of times. I dial her number and it rings for a few seconds ''Frankie '' I hear her cry into the phone. Her voice has my heart aching. I jolt up from the bed with the phone in my ear '' what is it ''

She sniffs a couple of times into the phone and I wait for her reply '' Iran away '' I freeze from her words '' what are you talking about? Where are you '' I hear her breathing on the other end of the line. She is still crying. I wish I was there. I wish I could help her right now.

'' I don't know. I am coming to you. I'm at the train station. It's been a few hours though. I should be in Hartford soon '' her voice cracks through the phone. I don't know what happened but I know it's not a good idea. She could be in trouble for running away.

This is not good.

'' What. Why did you do something so stupid? You never run away. No matter how shitty the situation gets '' I am yelling into the phone and I know Izzy hates it when I yell. I hear her cry louder into the phone'' I'm sorry Izzy. I shouldn't have yelled. How soon will you get here '' I reduce the tone of my voice.

'' Maybe an hour. Will you come to get me from the station '' she manages but I'm already nodding my head.

'' I'll go there now. I love you, Izzy ''

I end the call when her voice tells me the words I have heard a million times'' I love you too, Frankie''

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I tap my foot impatiently staring at my black and white sneakers. The shoes are old and the laces are not white anymore. There are scratches all over my shoes. I've been waiting for over an hour. She said she would be here in an hour but I haven't seen her. I look at the train as it stops and my heart jumps a mile per second. I am too worried, something must have happened to make Izzy run away. She used to be so good at handling all the horror that came with the foster homes.

The train doors open and I watch as people rush out. I am waiting to see her. Just the frizzy brown hair will be enough. I look around and I see the face I have missed. Her face is all bruised up. She has a black eye, there is a bruise on her cheek. She looks a mess.

Izzy spots me and a smile creeps up to her eyes. They are puffy and red but somehow they light up when she sees me. She walks a little faster and I wait for her. She stops in front of me dressed in black skinny jeans and a ripped shirt. Her shoes are worn out and her hair is all over the place.

I look to her and her eyes are moist, she is crying. I walk closer to her and wraps her in my arms. She welcomes me immediately; squeezing at my shirt '' Frankie '' she cries in my arms but at the moment don't have the words to make this better. This is the only way I know.

She knows I will never leave her.

She knows I will always be by her side.

I let her cry in my arms and for the meantime, I know she is okay. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. I can't tell the future but I know Izzy is safe with me right now.

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'' I couldn't take it anymore Frankie '' I understand her words. I know what she is talking about. I had gone through that and so much more. Foster kids didn't really have anyone to fight for them. We were always wrong, no matter the situation.

'' Did he touch you? ''

She shakes her head immediately. I watch her as she eats the burger hungrily. She has lost a lot of weight. I don't understand how she is so much skinnier than the last time I saw her.

'' I didn't let him. That's why I've got all these bruises'' She raises her shirt up and I see more purple bruises on her body. I wince, this is affecting me a lot more than it should.

'' What are we going to do now? '' I need to know what the next move is. She cannot stay in my dorm room forever and somehow they are going to be looking for her. She could go back to juvie.

'' I'll stay in Connecticut. I could get a job somewhere. Then a place. I could stay here until you graduate '' she manages but she doesn't understand that it's not as easy as she thinks.

I part my lips and she shakes her head '' please don't tell me it's not a good idea. Look I get that it's hard. I get that being in the foster home is the easiest way for me to survive but I can't go back there. I would rather die ''

Her words hit me hard.

Flashback.

I walk into the house dragging my bag pack. This week of school has been hell. I go up to our room in search of Izzy. I know she is probably on the roof and that's where I go first. I climb out of the window and to the spot she usually sits but I don't see her.

'' Izzy'' I shout her name. The house is small and I shouldn't have to look for long. I walk out of our room and down the stairs. The woman we are living with frowns when I walk into the living room '' why are you back from school so soon '' she raises a brow.

I shrug because I know she is just high. It's late and she can't even tell. I look around and frown. Izzy never leaves the house without me. I walk up the stairs again and to the bathroom. I see the blood before I even enter the bathroom.

I open the door in a panic and a lifeless Izzy has me screaming. Her wrists are slit and she is lying in the bathtub. Her eyes are closed and she is not breathing. The water in the tub is red.

Her blood is everywhere.

'' Maybe we should look into a place you could stay '' she is lying on my bed playing a game on my laptop. She looks up and shrugs '' I could stay here for a while. Your roommate doesn't seem to mind ''Alicia is sleeping soundly and when I asked her if Izzy could stay for a while she didn't seem to mind.

'' You know this can't be permanent. We have to find something for you to do while you are here ''

She nods her head '' okay. Are you going somewhere? '' I put on my shoes as I nod my head '' I've got a tutoring session. I should be back in a few hours '' I grab my back from the floor and walk to the door '' stay in here '' I warn her as I walk out of the room. I jump the stairs two at a time until I reach the ground floor.

I walk out of the dorm building as the cool air hits me. Today is my first session with Ace. I have been thinking about it a lot. I don't know what to expect. I know for a fact that he will not like this. I know he wouldn't be welcoming. His father said I shouldn't worry but I have been panicking since I first agreed to this.

I am supposed to meet up with him in his house. His dad said that was the best place. It's not too far from the campus. I just have to take a bus there. I clutch onto my bag tighter as I walk to the bus stop.

I look at the address on my phone not sure I am in the right house. His dad said he lived alone. How could someone live alone in this kind of house? It's very big. I walk further and stop in front of the pathway. This is Ace Burton's house. How can someone be this rich? It's made of concrete and painted a light brown colour. There are many windows in the view from where I am standing, there is also a garage which is probably occupied by his cars.

I walk to the front door and take a deep breath. I don't know how I am going to do this. I reach for the doorbell but the door opens before I can even press it. Ace smiles brightly revealing his perfect white teeth.

'' Hi, there '' he greets me running his hands through his jet black hair. I am speechless. I don't know what to say. I have never been in this kind of situation. He is THE Ace Burton. I watch him and the rays from the sun hit his face, illuminating his strong jaw. His blue eyes are piercingly distracting.

He smiles and all I see is perfect dentition. His teeth are white and sparkling'' you are quiet...you wanna come in ''he still has the addicting smile on his face as he moves away from the door and I walk in meekly. I don't know what to do but I follow him and he leads me into a large dining room '' I was thinking we could do it here. You know. Since there are no distractions '' he winks at me and all I pick from his words are '' do it '' I know what he means but somehow my heart is aching at his words.

'' Sure'' I mutter meekly.

Ace chuckles again and somehow I feel like he doesn't really have a problem with this study session. He doesn't seem like he is going to give me a tough time. I was a little worried that he wouldn't be interested in this. I watch him as he pulls out a chair for me ''come on...have a seat '' I nod my head and walk over to the dining table. I take a seat and put my bag on the table. He is still watching me and I am very nervous. Never in a million years did I ever imagine I will be in this kind of situation.

'' Are you nervous '' he raises a brow in question.

I freeze'' uh...no '' I manage.

He laughs'' chill okay...don't be nervous. I promise I will be nice ''he winks and takes a step backwards "Gonna just grab my books'' I nod and he jogs out of the room. I wait patiently and after a few minutes, a guy walks into the dining room. I don't recognize him and this has me in a panic '' who are you '' he is dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and a plain black tee. His sneaker laces are untied and his hair is a ruffle on his face. He is handsome...very.

'' You there? '' He raises a brow curiosity written on his face. I don't speak because I am scared. Somehow my words seem to vanish and I panic '' uh...I...I'm...Ace...''

He chuckles and scratches his brown hair and more strands fall to his face '' dude...stop scaring my tutor'' Ace walks into the room with a smile on his face. He seems amused and frankly, I am not ''she your tutor?''

Ace nods'' yeah...I'm sorry about him. He was just messing with you,'' I watch the two of them and I don't know what to say. How can two people be this good looking?

''She doesn't seem to talk a lot,'' ace nods and the other guy takes a step backwards'' I'll be upstairs'' he tells Ace. He walks out of the room as ace drops his books on the table beside my bag.

'' Shall we get started '���? 

After my session with Ace Burton, I have come to the conclusion that he is not as bad as his dad seems to picture him. He was interested in everything I had to say—which wasn't a lot. I helped him with his assignments. I wrote out a study schedule for him. That always works for me, somehow if you take up two hours every day and dedicate it to prepping for your classes, it should be easy to excel.

He didn't seem to like my suggestion but he said he was going to try. I didn't see the other guy. I didn't even want to. Something about him terrified me, I don't know what it was but I have a bad feeling about him.

Ace offered to take me back to my dorm but I had refused. I don't know if I can handle people talking when they see him dropping me off. I don't ever want to be in the spotlight and hanging around ace will definitely put me in the spotlight.

Mr Burton credited the money into my account a few minutes ago and somehow looking at the money has me smiling. I have no regret agreeing to this. This is easy money and somehow it's exciting. My phone beeps and I unlocking it and read the text. It's from an unknown number.

Unknown: I'll see you on Wednesday ;)

I know who it is instantly. My heart races as I read the message over and over again. It seems like he is trying to be friendly. Why is he trying to be friendly?

Me: How did you get my number?

He replies immediately. Ace: The dean...asked him for it

I find myself smiling even though he hasn't really said anything. He asked for my number. I furrow my brows when he calls his dad the Dean. I don't understand why no one knows that he is his dad. Everyone seems to know everything about him. How has this been a secret?

Me: You can call him dad...I already know

This is not really me; I don't know where I am getting the courage but the fact that he is not staring at me with his piercing blue eyes is making me braver than I usually am. I sit on the bench as I wait for the bus and his reply.

It takes longer than his previous replies.

Ace: He is not really my dad

Ace: See you Wednesday Frankie

I lock my phone and put it in my bag. I guess he doesn't want to talk about it. I am not going to intrude but his words have me curious. I want to know what he means. The bus arrives and I am in my dorm in no time. Izzy is asleep when I get to my room and the smile on my face increases. She opens her eyes slightly when I sit next to her gently.

''You're back '' she whispers.

I nod and she closes her eyes slowly '' thank you for everything Frankie ''she goes back to sleep and somehow I am glad that she is here with me. She is my family and that's all I need.