Confusion (probably not the final title)

Part 4 - After School

Friday had rolled around pretty quickly. Maybe it's because you have a crush on him? No that can't be possible. I know that I'm gay. I've never liked a guy in my life though that didn't stop the butterflies forming in my stomach every time I saw Mr S. that week. Even if I do like him (which isn't possible), he's my teacher; it's morally wrong to like him. No matter my feelings towards Mr Spencer, I had agreed to do extra work with him and I had to be professional about it. 

I knock on the door cautiously before hearing a lively voice reply "Come in." I open the door to see him sitting at his desk on his phone, waiting for me to arrive. Walking towards my desk, I close the door behind me, unable to stop the small smile that creeps onto my face. I am about to take my seat when Mr S. grabs my arm firmly and looks at my dead in the eyes. My heart stops beating as our eyes meet. "Was that Dwayne?" he asks sadly, gesturing to the bruise I am trying to hide on my arm. Unable to speak, I simply nod, causing him to sigh. "I'm sorry Dani. You shouldn't have to put up with this. I am trying my best to solve it." He lets go of my arm and I sit down. He had given us homework so I decided to start that, silently getting on with my work. I have been working for about five minutes when I hear his voice again.

"You don't really talk much do you?" he says softly with a chuckle, causing me to look up and shake my head. "Well if we are going to be seeing each other every Friday, I feel we should get to know each other a little. I've heard a lot about you from other teachers but no teacher can describe you as honestly as you can. So please, introduce yourself." I was taken aback by his informality.
"Uhm, my name is Dani Roberts, I'm 17, I have...." I start but I am suddenly cut off.
"No no no, I want to know about the real Dani. I don't want to know if you have two brothers or seven cats. I want to know about your personality, what you like to do, what you want to do with your life." Mr S. smiles and I look down nervously.
"Oh okay, uhm, I am very shy, I study a lot, I really like science and I don't really know what I want to do," I say then look back up.
"I think we are going to get on very well. I was exactly the same at your age," he says with a grin. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm James. I like to run and play the guitar, I work way too hard and I still don't know what I want to do with my life." I find myself smiling as he was getting so casual. I couldn't help but feel special for the first time in a very long time.
"I, uh, I play the piano," I say a little more confidently which makes him smile more.
"Yeah? That's pretty cool! I bet you are just as good at playing as you are at chemistry. I marked your quiz last night and you got a 99. Do you do anything other than study?"
"Other than get bullied and hang out with my non-existent friends? No, not really. My parents put a lot of pressure on me since I'm an only child," I admit which causes him to frown.
"You can't be serious? You must have at least one friend." I shake my head in response as he sighs. "Well from now on, in this room on a Friday, you have one friend. I know it's not much and if I could help you more I would but at least it's something right?" I smile and nod.
"Thank you, sir," I say but he scowls.
"Sir. Makes me seem old," he chuckles. "While I am alone with you, call me James. I hate the formality of teaching if you couldn't tell." I nod and smile. We spent the rest of the hour talking and doing work. It was such a different environment from anything I'd ever experienced. I felt at peace in this space and I could tell that this time with James was something that would keep me sane this year.