Samantha
It's becoming a pattern. I spend too much time with Alexi than is actually good for me. I don't spend enough time anymore with Valerie. If my mom didn't trust me so much, she probably wouldn't believe I really stay in school after hours. I wouldn't actually say he's using me since I'm his official tutor, but most of the time I feel uncomfortable like there's a stubborn Spanish word attaching itself to my subconscious, irritating me and at the same time making me feel like something big was going to happen.
Alexi's a good student. He works hard during our tutorials and has even started paying attention in class. It's very satisfying to know that I am reforming a rake.
"Hey, there." He interrupted my thoughts as he walked towards my locker. Speak of the devil. He even looks better smiling like that.
"Hi. Someone's happy today."
He smiled. "Yep. I got my History test back today. See who's got a C-plus." He held up his test result and I snatched it out of his hand and quickly glanced through it. His handwriting is still awful but it seems like he has been doing the handwriting improvement exercises I've been giving him. I can distinguish the letters now. A big C-plus sat on his history sheet with a smiley face under it. Who knows, our history teacher might even have a crush on him. I turned the test over and saw a comment. "Now that you're actually making an effort, maybe I can help you. See me sometime."
That confirmed it.
"Oh my, congratulations. I've been so nervous all day." That was true.
"You were afraid I'd flunk? This isn't the first time you've helped a student."
He'd stopped taking offense to him being called dumb a long time ago.
"Yeah, but it's always a thrill." He held his arms open right there in the hallway and I stepped into it, hugging him back. "I'm so happy for you."
"I'm happy for me too. I feel so great like I've finally accomplished something." He said, releasing me a minute too long for just a professional congratulatory hug. He looked into my eyes. "Thanks." He said huskily.
I averted my eyes to the ground, uncomfortable with the depth of sincerity and emotion evident in his clear brown-eyed gaze. I shuffled my feet.
"I guess this means you'll have to stop coming for tutorials." I said. I had lost my notion that he was a stuck up ass on his second tutorial.
"No, this is just the beginning. It's the first in a long semester of tests and exams."
"Then, see you tomorrow? You deserve a break."
"Definitely. You're the best." He gave me the thumbs-up and a wink. He looked so adorable. I handed back the script to him and turned back to my locker just as I heard April call out to him, "Hi, Alexi."
"Hey April. How are you doing?" He leaned down to kiss her, glancing a bit in my direction.
Just gross.
"Hmm," she purred, "Someone's feeling chipper this morning. I like this mood." She pulled him down for another round as Alexi groaned probably in pleasure and I thought I might retch there and then. Maybe I was just jealous. Maybe it was just disgusting to watch them play the happy couple in front of my locker.
I walked away and went to lunch, my book back slung over my shoulder since I'd be going to class straight from the cafeteria.
I spotted Val sitting at the 'nerd' table with Ben and some other guys.
I went over and dropped my bag beside her and then went back to order something. Nothing looked appealing so I just ordered a box of Orange Juice.
I went back to my seat beside Val.
"Hey guys."
"The miracle-working tutor is back." Ben whooped.
"What do you mean, Hampton?" I asked cautiously as I tore open the box and put in my straw.
"Taking up a basketball player requires nothing short of a miracle." Ben explained.
"And Damian here saw Ashton's History result. He had a C-plus. From a D-minus. Under two weeks." Andy explained as if he couldn't quite believe it.
"You're the man." Damian said.
"Go girl!" Val joined in. Traitor. I mock-glared at her and she smiled amusedly. I snatched up her bag of chips and smiled as she tried to reach for it. The food that had held no appeal to me suddenly tasted delicious and I chomped down handfuls of chips before returning the bag.
"You a werewolf now, huh?" Damian said, winking at me.
Idiot. I tried to laugh and say something, but the chips went down the wrong way. I started to choke.
They all looked at me in alarm, not knowing what to do. It was rather funny that someone was choking at the table of the supposedly 'most brilliant' students in Stephen County and they didn't know what to do.
Just at once, they all sprang to action. Val placed my OJ under my nose and urged me to drink up. Ben thumped me on the back while Damian un-helpfully advised me to rub my belly. If I were not in so dangerous a situation, I would have laughed. Luckily for me however, strong hands gripped me from behind and hauled me out of my seat. That I could die of loss of breath in the next minute was the only thing in my head. I vaguely registered being dragged or somehow carried across the hall to the toilet stalls. I've not had the time to process it all yet (as best as I could with me running out of breath every minute) when I heard an unfamiliar voice tell Val to open the door to the ladies. He pulled me in and bent me over a seat, thumping my back, trying to get me to throw up. After a few seconds, I threw up Val's chips that were stuck in my respiratory tract or wherever they were. I rested my head on the seat edge as the guy flushed and got water for my face.
He helped me get up and I got a good look at his face. He was just like Alexi.
YOU ARE READING
Cheers, Mathletes, and Touchdowns
Teen FictionIs Ignorance really bliss? A love triangle that started with a detention. Stephen County Basketball star meets resident geek Samantha Walker in math room and begins an on/off friendship/relationship. He thinks he has all he wants in a girl in his ch...