Exam Day

Emmie lifted her head and saw James approaching. He

entered on the other side of the door with a concerned look on

his face.

"What happened? Is the exam hard?" he asked as soon as

he sat down on his desk. She remained silent, utterly speechless.

"Your score was low. You should attend tutorials,"

James pointed out. She only lowered her gaze, looking

dumbfounded. They were the only ones inside the classroom

while everyone was gone.

Her forehead knitted into a thin line. Who would even

take time and tutor her? She knows she has bad grades in

Mathematics but she can't afford to pay for it.

"It's okay sir. I can study on my own. Thank you for

your kindness," she simply said smiling. She stood up from her

seat. "Excuse me sir, I'm going to have lunch," she added,

wanting to leave when she felt a big hand catch her wrist with a

strong force.

Along her wrist gripping from pain, she turned to look at

her teacher. Her face turned grim as she mouthed, "Let go."

"I said you need tutoring for your grades and I will help

you," he said to which she was baffled.

What does he mean by that?

She stopped squirming from his grip as he loosen his

hand around her wrist.

Emmie knows she's in bad need of tutoring but it doesn't

seem safe to grab this opportunity; especially with spending time

with him.

She remained silent, adamant with her decision. She

lowered her gaze, unresponsive with his words and so the

teacher sighed.

"Why are you so aloof with me? Did I do something

bad? Didn't I apologize before despite not making things clear?"

he asked. She stared right through his eyes and saw how genuine

yet serious his gaze was.

"Think about your future. What if you get a failing score

on the next exam again? Think about how it will affect your

scholarship. What will your parents' reactions be? What will they

tell you?"

Upon hearing those words, she flinched. His hit was

right on the mark.

She let out a deep sigh. James was right. If her parents

were alive, they would be disappointed with her failing grades

however; she still can't help feeling reserved and mistrustful.

She can't afford to just accept an offer just like that.

After a few minutes, she finally opened her mouth to

speak. "Thank you for your kindness but how could I accept your

offer if I don't have much time? I don't have any vacant time

from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon; I'm more

occupied with my subjects. So as you?" she responded.

"You don't have to worry; we can do it after class, at

least thirty minutes before you go home. What do you think? Or

I'll teach you at your home, I'm sure your parents will be happy

since you will not be home late if I go there," he suggested.

The idea was fine but the thing is, she's already an

orphan. Should she tell him the truth? But what if he takes

advantage of the opportunity and finds out that her parents are

already dead. The bell rang before she could answer.

"Think about it and let me know which suits you," James

said before leaving her alone at the classroom door.

Her gaze watched the man's broad back walking away

until he disappeared.

As she was left with countless thoughts in her head, she

heard footsteps coming from the other direction. She

immediately made her way out of the classroom and headed

straight to the washroom.

Upon her disorganized thoughts, as she continued to

walk towards the cafeteria, she felt her phone vibrating.

She fished out the device from inside her pocket only to

reveal a new message coming from the same unregistered

number.

"Next time don't do that again and take care of yourself.

Don't skip your meal and excuse yourself from your subject

teacher. Go and eat your snack in your locker."

A blank expression loomed her face.

Who is it that keeps reminding her about her health,

anyway?

She knows he's only concerned but it feels too much.

She felt her stomach grumbling at the sight of herself in

the mirror. She brushed her hand along her face and walked

towards the locker. She did see a Tetra juice and pastry in a

plastic bag inside and oddly thought; who would give her food

like this?

Rolling her eyes towards the other side, she managed to

eat it despite being suspicious.

She'll probably just ask the cashier at the cafeteria later.

After finishing with her food, she made her way back to

the classroom only to be welcomed by a question.

"Where have you been?"