That Stupid List (A Seventeen Fanfic)

Chapter 17: Study Study Study

When she got the library at 7:00 PM to tutor Vernon, she found that he was already there, playing a game on his phone as he waited. She took a deep breath and sat down beside him.

"Hello there Frostbite," Vernon said to her, immediately putting away his phone.

"Where do you want to go?" Jin asked. She couldn't really tutor someone in the openness of the library because they could only talk so much.

"I reserved a study room for us on the third floor," he said, pulling out a key he had. Jin was actually surprised that he had thought ahead. Maybe he was more serious about this exam than she thought he was.

Jin followed Vernon up two flights of stairs until they got to the small study room. Vernon opened the door and motioned her in. She went inside, realizing how uncomfortable it is being in a small space with a guy, especially with this particular guy.

She was glad that the doors were made of clear glass. She did not really trust Vernon, and so she was happy that she was not really completely alone with him.

"Teach me," Vernon said, sitting down on the chair and crossing his arms and looked at her.

Jin also sat down and asked, "well, what units are you having trouble with?"

"All of them," Vernon responded with a shrug.

"What units do you know the most about?"

"None of them."

Jin felt like strangling him. Did he really expect her to teach him everything they learned in the semester?

"Do you believe in God?"

"Yeah, I guess," Vernon shrugged.

"Are you a Christian?"

"Yes, but not a very good one. I think I've only ever entered a church like never."

"You know the basics though, right?"

"More like the basics of the basics."

Jin was not sure if he was trying to be funny, or if he was serious, but she decided to try her luck.

"Okay, who is the last prophet of Christianity?"

"Jesus!"

"Great. What about Islam?"

"I know this one!" Vernon said. He blinked for a moment as he tried to recall the name, "Ahmed? No. Mohammed. Score!"

"Yes. Who is the founder of Buddhism, then?"

"Buddha!"

"The Original Buddha, yes. What's his name?"

"Umm, Buddha?"

Jin did everything in her power not to facepalm. She then calmly explained to him: "a Buddha is anyone who reached enlightenment. Do you know what this enlightenment is called in Buddhism?"

"Beats me."

"Nirvana."

"Ooo, I love that band!"

Jin felt like he wasn't taking this seriously, and she didn't want to waste her time with him. She stood up to leave, but he quickly grabbed her arm.

"Wait! I'm sorry. I promise I won't make any more side comments. Teach me more. Nirvana is enlightenment. A Buddha is someone who reached nirvana. And what's the name of the original Buddha?"

Jin sat back down. He processed more of what she had said than she thought he would. "Siddhartha Gautama," she answered him.

Vernon nodded, "okay, teach me more."