PICS and IT DIDN'T HAPPEN

30. The Compact

B plus.

I feel a hallow over my head, radiating like a thread of diamond.

Is this how all the smart people in the world feel?

My math grade has always danced around D. There was this one time it grazed a C. That was months ago.

I did't know at the time I was destined for greatness.

"Show me," Tess says, leaning over my shoulder. She runs her hand over the dried red ink saying B+. "Is this real?" She says.

"It's real," I say, placing a hand over her shoulder, "Tess, I've found my inner genius."

"Don't forget me when you become a successful billionaire," Tess says.

"Never."

We both hold hands and gaze into each other's eyes emotionally.

Our heartfelt celebration is broken off by Tony when he snatches my paper. "Shit. It's true. You got a B+."

The good news has spread.

"Guess I know whose math notes I'll be copying from now on then," Tony says.

I don't believe it's the notes since he and Raylan already borrow my notes plenty.

---

Later in the evening, I get a call from Raylan to go over to his room and feed the kittens.

When I reach there, Raylan is in his room.

"Why did you call me if you're here?" I say.

"I need to talk to you about something," Raylan says.

I grab a feeding bottle and sit down on the floor with Coffee. "About what?"

"I need a favor," he says.

"What's in it for me?" I say as Coffee starts sucking the feeder.

"Don't I already do enough for you?" He says.

"That's for my blackmailing. This is different. A deal is a deal. What do I get?"

"You haven't even asked what I want?"

"What do you want?"

"I need at least a C+ in math in my next test or I could be benched. So... will you help me with it?"

Dumbfounded I gape at him for a moment before breaking into a laugh. "Is this about my B+ today? Look, even with that, me teaching you math is like a penguin teaching an ostrich how to fly."

"It's not like I want to ace the test. I just need to pass with an average grade. No matter how bad you're at it you always manage to pass," he says.

That's true. Not failing has been my biggest academic achievement so far. Even so I just don't see myself tutoring Raylan.

"Ask Derek," I tell him. Derek is a rare A-grade student among Raylan's friends.

"He doesn't have time for me. He's always with his girlfriend," Raylan says.

I remember her. The girl from the literature club who writes in our school newspaper.

I groan over it, putting down Coffee and picking up Milk.

"I'll do anything you want," he says.

"You already do anything I want," I remind him.

"I'll pay you," he says.

"I want three tickets to the Gerard circus."

"Done."

---

Over the next week I share with Raylan my math notes and teach him after school at his place. Luckily, he's not that bad at it, just gets distracted time to time by the kittens. Over all, it's going good.

"What's that?" Frank says as he gives me a ride home from school.

I stop writing. "Some sample math questions for next week's test."

"Didn't you just have a test? You got B+. Wouldn't stop boasting about it," he says.

I laugh. "This one's for Raylan. He apparently has to get a passing grade or he could be benched."

"Oh," Frank says, "yeah, sometimes our coach puts up a rule like that too to our team."

"What do you guys do?"

"We cheat better."

"Happy your coach's efforts are working."

"But now that I have a math genius of my own, I guess I'll just get a private tuition from her," Frank says.

"I'm not cheap. Raylan promised circus tickets for me and my friends."

"Hmmm. I didn't know you wanted to go to the circus."

"Becca wants to. I'm not much of a circus fan."

"Yeah, well, next time let me know. I'll get you the tickets."

I nod and continue to write. Why would I bother Frank when I've got Raylan? Frank can save his efforts for our dates.

A couple of days later, Raylan takes the test, and a day after that he gets the result.

At lunch, I glare at his paper in the cafeteria. He has just shown it to me.

How the fuck this disaster happen?

Tony comes over and puts his arm over my shoulders. "Ever heard the saying those who can't do teach? Ellie, you're gonna make a great teacher one day."

Still glaring I look at Raylan, before looking down at the paper again.

A fucking A-?!

I throw the paper at him and leave for my seat, while Raylan calls for me while laughing. Tony joins him. "Can you teach me too, Ms. Ellie?" Tony shouts.

What was I thinking? I should've never helped that dragon!

End of chapter

A/N - A month of daily updates! :) Happy to reach this milestone with you guys! Please continue to watch Ellie and Raylan grow closer for the days to come as well ;) So, as usual, see you tomorrow 🥰