Abby
My heart beats against my chest loudly as Hernandez and I start closing in. What in the world is going on? I close my eyes waiting for.. whatever was coming but the loud sound of the TV commercial startles us causing us to move apart. I look elsewhere feeling embarrassed. Hernandez clears his throat awkwardly as he keeps a steady gaze on the TV.
Was that an almost kiss? Totally striking it out of my bucket list. I play with my fingers as the air is still tense after what was going to happen but didn't happen.
After a while Hernandez decides to speak, "So um.. what makes you think you're not escaping the study program?", he asks.
"Oh, it's uh.. my P.E report sucks", I let out and he nods with an oh escaping his lips. "What about you?", I ask back.
"Algebra, Geography, Trig and pre calculus..", he trails then looks at me, "They all suck".
He sighs slouching on the couch.
"You'll get there", I say reassuringly and he smiles.
"I want you to be my tutor", he says and I give him a confused look. I thought I was.
"What're you talking about?", I ask.
"Like for the program, I'd wish you'd be my tutor for it", he says and I smile with a nod.
"Me too", I say and he smiles too.
**
My leg doesn't hurt that much anymore. It's actually better than before but I can still feel an edging pain every time I move.
My walk to school is quite peaceful. Okay weather, nice music, not so tired Abby. I let out a peaceful sigh enjoying the serene moment but it's short lived when I hear a loud horn blare behind me.
I turn with my hand on my chest. I could have died out of shock. I slowly take off my air pods and my eyes widen when I see it's Loren sitting comfortably in her expensive looking white car.
"Don't just stand there, get in fat girl", she says and I look behind me wondering what the hell is going on. Has she lost her marbles? or have I lost my marbles?. Because there's no way Loren Lane would ever and I mean ever tell me to get into her car not even if she wanted to assault me. She could always get another car for that.
"What?", I ask still in shock.
She sighs with a roll of her eyes then gets down from her car.
"Are you deaf or something?", she asks walking up to me so I take a few steps back.
"What do you want?", I bravely ask but timidly look around for any witness. There's always a witness in every murder scene.
"Chill fatso I'm not Freddy Krueger or something.. I just wanna talk", she says and if I was in any way shocked then I'm super perplexed right now.
"Talk?.. wh.. what about?", I ask.
"About Noah what else. You think I care about you", she scoffs mockingly and I nod. Of course.
"Look here, I don't compete with people for what's mine and if I ever were to.. I wouldn't be caught dead doing it with you. In summary, back off bitch", she says then sashays to her car.
She stops, hand on the door, "I can't believe I told you to get in.. ugh so disgusting", she says then gets into her car.
I watch as she drives off and I sigh. I hold tight onto my bag straps then start walking again. I don't think I'm in the mood for music anymore. No matter how good my day's going there's always something that destroys it.
How do people find peace, really? I'm pretty sure it's after life because it just can't be here.. there's no peace here.
**
I walk into first just as the bell rings with a deep frown. I've been trying to give my self little pep talks on how what Loren says shouldn't bother me but it's not working. My mood's gone. I've lost it for the day.
Our new substitute teacher for AP Government walks in and everyone pipes down. We were told last week that Mrs Wilson wouldn't be coming because she went on leave. PS, a newborn's on the way.
The substitute teacher, Mr Eric, introduces himself and the class starts. When the bell rings for second everyone starts to disperse. Evacuating the class like it was on fire.
I take my time as usual to get my things into my bag. I feel a presence behind me so I stop to turn and when I see Noah I sigh.
"Is everything okay?", he asks noticing my long face.
"Nothing", I say trying to walk past him but he stops me.
"Why?", he asks with concern.
"It doesn't matter", I say trying to move away from him but he doesn't let me.
"It does, now tell me.. what's wrong?", he asks softly pulling me closer to him.
"I.. I'm gonna be late for second", I say pushing past him as I run out of the classroom.
Even if I tell Noah about this it isn't going to change anything. Loren's still gonna be bitchy.
I arrive my next class pretty late because of the little confrontation with Noah. After apologizing to the teacher, I spot Callie sitting by the window so I move to sit next to her.
"Hey", I whisper trying to be a bit cheery with my greeting and she turns to me.
"Hey", she says back but with less enthusiasm as me.
"Is.. everything okay?", I ask and I don't get a reply as Mrs Hearth interrupts.
"The least you could do after coming late is keep quiet Miss Flenory", she says and I pass out a small apology.
When the class ends Callie and I walk out. "So what's up?", I ask and she shrugs.
"Hey, what subjects do you tutor Hernandez on?", she asks and I wonder why she's curious about that.
"Why?", I wonder out loud. I don't know if it'll be appropriate to spread my client's private matters.. okay what am I? a lawyer or something?.
"Nothing just wondering", she says and I'm about to speak when Hernandez walks up to us so I decide to let it be.
"Hey guys", he says with his usual grin so I smile a bit. Well looks like my mood's actually coming back to life.
"Hey", Callie and I say back.
"Let's hit the lunch floor, eh?", he says and I chuckle but I doubt it's heard because Callie's laughter overshadows it.
We walk into the cafeteria taking food first before finding ourselves seats. I take a seat first and Hernandez sits opposite of me while Callie sits next to him.
"So Callie, you heard bout the study program stuff?", Hernandez asks.
"Oh yeah I.. they asked me to be a tutor?", she says with a smile.
"Oh that's great", I say and she nods.
"What about you?", she asks me.
"I uh I don't actually know", I say truthfully. I can't really know right now if I'm gonna be a tutor or if I'm gonna be tutored.
"Oh.. what about you Hernan?", she asks fully turning to Hernandez as she starts to swirl her hair with a finger.
"Well, I'm definitely gonna be in the program", he says then turns to his food. Callie looks unsatisfied with his answer but doesn't pry on it any further.
"So, Ginger..", Hernandez says looking up at me. I blush a bit at his gaze but try to cover up with a cough.
"Yeah?", I ask.
"Is it your house again today?", he asks.
"Well if it's fine with you", I shrug. The location of the session didn't really matter unless he's suggesting we go to a carnival or an obnoxiously loud place then it would matter.
"It is, but I'd like us to go somewhere else", he says and I nod agreeing.
"Sure, luckily it's a quiet place?", I inquire.
"It's actually a strip club", he says and my eyes widen while Callie spits out her water.
"What?!", we both exclaim and he chuckles.
"Chill I'm just kidding", he says and I narrow my eyes at him so he smiles. "It's a quiet place, I promise", he says then with a smirk adds, "And appropriate".
Callie rolls her eyes at him playfully as I shake my head but with a smile. "Oh dear", I say and he laughs.