Billionaire's Childhood Love

XLIV. Private Tutors

"He doesn't belong to anyone."

I know I'm going to have to make another visit to the principal's office.

I turn towards the other girl, "I may not be a princess, but at least I have class." I twist my body towards Josh, who simply gazed at me with a blank look. "Let's go. I seriously have class, and I think I'm tardy."

I walk towards class without listening to anyone's response.

Josh pulled me back, "Hey. What's wrong with you today?"

"Nothing."

He exhales, "Hay Bug, Don't withdraw from me again." I look the other way. He stepped forward, placing a hand on my cheek and made me look at him. "Please."

"I failed all my exams," I bit my lower lip and took a few blinks. "I don't understand. I studied so hard, and you tutored me really hard, but I still don't get it."

Josh exhales and hugs me. "Hey, they're just tests. It doesn't mean anything."

"It means I'm stupid."

Josh pet my head, "No, you're not stupid." He pulls me back, "Look. It just means we need to find a new studying method for you. That's all. Okay?"

I nod, "Thank you."

"I really have to go."

"Next period should be free period, shouldn't it?"

I shook my head, and with much discomfort, I handed him my red slip - Hailey Vaughn, to room A-4 during free period.

"Wow," he mouthed, then looked up from the slip. "This doesn't mean it's a bad thing."

"It's red."

"Red is not always a bad color."

"When is the color red a good thing?"

"You like strawberries, and those are red."

I grab my red slips and fold them back into my pocket. I zip my backpack open and hand him my exams. Behind the papers, I can hear him clearing his throat. "Well, we take four exams per class per year, so one not-so-great exam doesn't mean much."

"Not-so-great?"

"Okay, but-" he smiles, "I have good news about the red slip."

"What?"

"Red slips mean you did so poorly that they are willing to allow you to take another exam. Yay!"

"But...But Halloween is coming up. I was going to be a banana this year."

"We can be an ice cream banana split next year."

"We were going to go trick or treat at the wealthy houses." Don't judge me. I'm fourteen. I'm young.

He pets my head.

When I entered the room, I met with a few expected and unexpected faces.

"Going in?" I turn around to see Mr.Timberland with a wide grin.

Without responding, I took a seat.

Mr.Timberland crosses his arms and exhales as his eyes scan the room. "I had never seen such horrendous exam grades from freshman before."

Such a statement can never be a good start.

"Now, transitioning from middle to high school can be quite difficult. However, that's not an excuse for failure. So, I have assigned each of you to a tutor, ensuring you will pass." He looks at the door, and we all follow, "Tutors come in!"

When I saw Josh walk in, I waved at him. He smiles and waves in return.

My brows scrunched when I saw Crystal.

"Why is she up there?" Taniyah asks.

"Miss Martinez is up there for extra credit."

"If she failed her exam, shouldn't she be down here?"

"She needs attendance credits."

"Wait-" I said, "then that means-"

"Miss Martinez is actually one of our highest-scoring freshmen."

Crystal flips her hair back, "I know what you're all thinking. Beauty and brains."

"Exactly," Mr.Timberland claps his hands together, "which is the reason why you will personally tutor Miss Sosa."

"Tani!" Crystal squeals.

"No!"

"You know if you stop playing with stocks in class. You may have passed your classes. Just a word of advice."

Taniyah growls in silence.

"Now-" Mr.Timberland lists off tutors to the students. I grin wider and wider when the list of tutors shortens, and Josh is still available.

Then, Mr.Timberland stops talking.

Josh raises his hand, "Um, Mr.Timberland?"

"Yes?"

"You forgot me," Josh looks at me and smiles.

Hesitantly, I raise my hand, "And me."

"Oh, no, I didn't."

"Well, so does that mean Hailey and I-"

Mr.Timberland snickers, "You two think I'm going to put you together? Miss Vaughn, I know who tutored you before the exams, and I must say the results say it all. You two are not good study buddies."

"Then, who is going to tutor me?" I ask.

The door clicks open, and rhythmic click-clacking of heels made its appearance. "Ah, and here is your tutor."

"Madison?" I question.

Madison lifts a hand and wiggles her fingers.

I'm afraid.

"Then, who am I going to tutor?" Josh question.

Madison bursts out laughing, "This is going to be good," she said. "Because guess who I ran into outside." Madison twisted her head and took a step aside.

Oh, the world is ending.

"Mister Greyson, I believe you are familiar with-"

"Ricardo? You want me to tutor Ricardo Winston?!"