Chapter 7 TUTOR

TYLER’s POV

A big fucking F was written in sticky red on the front of my Math test paper. I internally groaned and stared right back up at my teacher, Mr. Clark. He did not look impressed.

I never had a problem with Mr. Clark. In fact, he was one of the nicest teachers in school. However, I found at time he pretended he was a pre-school teacher rather than a high school teacher, thinking we would enjoy watching us colouring in pictures of numbers or the question-answer game where you threw a ball around the classroom, even using his long wooden stick to pick on student. God!

Nonetheless, he was better than most teachers in the school.

“I don’t know what to say, Tyler.” He said with a deep frown, his glasses almost falling because he got a snub nose. I always wanted to suggest him to wear contacts but, it’s his life though. “This is the third fail in a row. Is there any problem?” only that I was shit at Math but that was already evident.

“I’m trying.” That was a lie. I wasn’t trying. Mathematics was one of those subjects you either loved or hated, and I hated it. “But you know I got tied up with my football practice. We’re preparing for our big game against the—“

“That’s not an excuse!” Mr. Clark snapped. “And trying doesn’t seem to be fitting it.” He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “And I haven’t gotten any homework from you this past week either! What’s your reason again for this?” shit, we had homework? That must’ve been somewhere in between me and Maxine dating and partying.

To be honest, homework was a complete waste because everyone just googled the answers anyway.

“I’m sorry, Sir, it’s just that the football—“

“Your education has become unimportant?” that was harsh. “Or you’re busy with your girlfriend and couldn’t find time to study.” He sighed and perked on top of her desk opposite me. “Look, Tyler. I know this year has been difficult with college applications and all, but I need you to focus on your work still. I know I’ve been lenient over the years, but this year is the year you really need to get these grades up.”

“I’ll try, Sir. I promise.” I shrugged and slightly flicked the paper across my desk.

Mr. Clark let out a heavy sigh and unfolded his arms. “I’ve been running study sessions after school on Wednesdays and Fridays. You can show up to one of them.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got a football practice on Wednesdays and Fridays.” I argued. I actually have a date with Maxine at those days.

“What about a one to one session on a Tuesday morning?” Morning? Oh hell, no!

“I can’t. My dad’s playing golf on a Tuesday morning at the country club and he teaches me on how to play.” That was a good excuse.

Mr. Clark sighed for the hundredth time and rubbed his forehead. I knew he wanted to help me, but my case was hopeless. I simply didn’t want to be helped because who the hell wanted to spend their free time learning about Math?

“Then have you considered hiring a tutor?”

“A tutor?” No way!

“I have a lot of smart and bright students who tutor in my Algebra class. Tell me your schedule so that we can organize it.” he said with a hope on his face.

It was a nice idea but again, it’s a no.

“I appreciate your offer, Mr. Clark. I really do.” I got up from my desk and brushed my fingers over my hair. “But I can do it on my own.”

Mr Clark gave a hopeless look and frowned deeply. “I’m just worried for you, Tyler. You’re handsome, rich, athletic. But your grades are failing.”

I sighed. “I’m fine. See you next class, Sir!” I walked out of the classroom and I could hear him call after me, but I really couldn’t care less. I hated Math and the longer I was in that classroom, the more stress I would get.

I walked down the hallway and pulled out my phone from my pocket. Maxine had called me. Fucking teachers! I groaned and shoved my phone back into my bag.

Maxine and I were neighbours and she got my interest last year, when I saw her through my window dancing in her room. She was in her cute pajama outfit and her body swayed to the beat of the music. I was mesmerized and took a video of her and after that, I couldn’t get her off my mind.

Until one day, she caught me taking her photos while she jumped on her bed cutely. Instead of getting mad, she made cute poses and blew kisses for me. I confessed my feelings to her and she accepted me right away and she became my girlfriend.

She was an amazing dancer, and our football team’s cheerleader. She was my queen and I was her king. After every practice, we always hang out either at her place or mine.

I saw Maxine waiting for me in the hallway and she smiled upon seeing me. “Let’s go for lunch?”

“Yeah…” I smiled back and wrapped my arm over her shoulder. The strawberry scent of her hair trailed my nostrils as I kissed her temple.

.

.

.

.

.

We were seated at the middle table in the cafeteria when I heard commotions on the side of the room. I rolled my eyes when I saw Mark and his friends bullying a nerd boy in a thick rimmed glasses. And a girl with curly hair and pale complexion helping that boy to get up from the floor when Harry suddenly poured orange juice on her head.

What the fuck!

I stood up but Maxine stopped me gripping my wrist tightly. “Don’t mind them, baby. They’re just having fun.” She said and continued eating her burger.

I clenched my jaw when I recognized her. Stella Hemmings, the nerd girl whom I used to bully before, but not anymore because right now I was enjoying saving her.

It all started when I saw her looking for her name in the list of who’s hot and who’s not. Like what the hell? How did she expect that she would be included in that stupid list when she looked and dressed like that. Like a…

Well, I’m not saying she’s ugly because the moment our eyes met, I really don’t know but that there was something in her green eyes that mesmerized me. Yes, I could see her perfect ocean eyes through that thick rimmed eyeglasses even though she was trying to hide it from everyone.

I could also feel that her hair wasn’t a natural black because I could see red strands sticking out from her messy curly black hair, like what the fuck? Is she a red head or black head?

When I saw her in the bulletin board, I just wanted to tease her but I found her face cute and at the same time funny so instead of saying, “Hey there, did you see your name in the list? Maybe you should try next time?” I said, “Dream on, nerd!”

I was surprised when she just looked at me and even snapped at me if I had not mistaken. If she was any other girl in the campus, she would giggle and introduce herself to me right away and give me her number, because why not? I was popular, handsome and all.

So, whenever I saw her passing by, I would trip her or call her names to annoy her just to get her attention. I just found her cute and adorable. And I wanted it that I was the only one bullying her, not any other people.

“I have to use the restroom, babe.” I told Maxine and got up from my seat and walked to my locker to get my football uniform.

I ran my way towards the door of going up to the rooftop and waited for Stella and his friends to show up. Yes, I always knew she spend her vacant time if not in the library, in the rooftop. I smirked when I saw her smiling, didn’t even bother about the bullying earlier. She’s really a tough girl.

I threw my shirt on her face when they got closer to me. “Change on it, nerd!” I said and turned my heels, my lips curved up and walked back into the cafeteria.