Chapter 12: wrong move
The first thing I noticed was red and blue. That stupid Spider-Man backpack.
I’d recognise it anywhere.
My stomach dropped before my eyes even lifted.
“You must already know each other,” Miss Issa said, smiling like she’d just solved a complicated equation.
Of course she would think that.
“Ethan, as you already know, is one of our top academic students,” she continued. “Consistent distinction grades.”
My cheeks burned – not because he was my tutor but he now officially knew I needed one.
Ethan stepped into the office fully, closing the door gently behind him. He didnt look suprised.
“Hi tessa” he smiled.
I swallowed, “hey”
Miss issa went on and on about how perfect of a student ethan was and i could tell he felt a bit shy about it.
“When do we start?” he spoke again.
My head snapped toward him “start?”
“The tutouring” he clarified rubbing a hand behind his head “the sonner the better" he paused “that is if we are aiming for three strong passes”
Miss issa beamed. “Thats the spirit”
Wait.
Tutouring meant study sessions, which means after school session. Regularly.
How the fuck was i supposed to have both training and tutorials after school.
“First tutorial is tommorow after school” his tone was sharper this time.
I froze. Klaus wouldn't like this.
“Cool” i said casually.
I didn't wait for miss issa to dismiss me or for ethan to utter another word. I simply rushed out like i was about to explode.
The burger place was excatly how i pictured it to be – bright lights, polished tables and sharp wall paints. The smell of fries and melted cheese clung to air and a gaint chalkboard near the counter advertised STUDENT DISCOUNT WEEK in messy red ink.
Maya was right – it was our kind of place and i loved it.
I scanned the room and spotted maya in a corner already munching on a burger.
When she saw me she waved with her messy hands and even tried to speak even if her mouth was half full.
“Tessaa… over here”she tried to call out.
I smiled and slid into the seat directly opposite hers. “You started without me … thats basically cheating”
‘The student discount here is crazy, all i have to do is pay for two burgers and eat them, the rest is on the house” she said licking her fingers. “I’ll order the best burger to start, we can taste-test other flavours later”
I nodded “deal”
The waiter arrived and we ordered the same thing.
“And water” i added.
Maya frowned slightly but didn't comment.
She jumped straight to school updates.
“So we have a new transfer student in science” she said , already halfway into her next bite “he wants to join the robotics team. Apparently, he built his own drone at his old school”
I smiled “thats cool”
“But he talks like he’s narrating a documentary and it's just so weird”
She took another bite
“My days have been worse” i spoke
She paused. “How so?”
“Well for starters i’ve been taking after school training from klaus for the play” i paused “you know , posture drills, confidence exercises..”
Maya lifted a brow “is that why you’re getting leaner?”
“What?”
Her voice rose suddenly “does he make you do push ups or something ?”
“What no! And even if i am getting leaner, isn’t that supposed to be a good thing”
“Well yeah but….”
“It isn’t like that though” i cut in “he’s just helping build my confidence”
She studied me for a second then continued eating.
By the time i’d taken my second small bite, she was finishing her second burger.
I smiled. I always envied maya. She ate more than but never got overweight.
And it had always been that way. If anything i was the one who didn't eat much but after that incident, i just kept on eating till i couldn’t stand up.
“Klaus and i almost kissed” i said casually.
Maya’s jaw literally dropped. “What?!” she screamed and heads turned.
“Shushhh” i lowered my voice “ i said almost …. Ethan walked in”
She opened her mouth to scream again but i held it shut just in time. She calmed down and i slowly dropped my hand from her mouth.
“Details” she said and i explained everything that happened.
“Now ethan is my tutour”
“Wait what now?”
I explained what happened with miss issa and MSA needing a pass in three subjects. By the time i finished, she was unwrapping her third burger.
“Tessa” she said slowly and stared down at my plate “i’m on my third burger”
I looked up.
“You haven’t even finished one” she finished, her face looked worried.
I forced a small laugh “so?”
“So… are you sick ?” she asked “or did klaus put you on some dramatic actor diet”
“No” i said quickly “i’m just not that hungry”
She opened her mouth like she wanted to argue but closed it.
She waved at the waiter “one milkshake please, chocolate”
The discount really was dangerous.
Maya pushed the milkshake towards me “at least have some of this”
I looked at the sugary cup “just one sip” i said and and ended up taking more than one sip.
We both laughed.
My phone buzzed against the table and both of us looked.
It was klaus. I flipped over the phone immediately and gave a nervous laugh.
Maya raised a brow but didnt say anything.
The phone buzzed again– shorter this time.
It was a text :rehearsals ended 20 minutes ago , where are you !”
I starred at the screen, another text popped up :you don't just dissapear tessa
Maya leaned back slowly. “You didnt tell him you weren't going did you ?”
I shrugged “ he doesn't own me , i can cancel” i dropped the phone on the table and went back to my burger.
My phone buzzed again and before i could react, maya snatched the phone from the table.
“Maya _” i tried to stop her but it was too late.
“She's busy” she said flatly over the phone.there was a small pause the, “well maybe she doesnt want to be summoned like a fucking dog”
My heart nearly stopped “maya give it back…”
“No, you listen” she continued her voice sharp “she has a life outside your fucking rehearsals so leave her the fuck alone” she hung up immediately.
The table was quiet and i starred at her for a moment.
“You’re crazy” i breathed
“You’re welcome” she shrugged
I laughed, “you just made training a hundred times harder for me you asshole”
“Good. builds character” she said
We both laughed and everything felt normal amd easy again.
Few minutes later, we grabbed our bags and headed for the door, still faintly laughing.
Maya pushed the glass door open and on getting outside, we heard some noises.
A motorcycle engine revved violently outside. Not only was it loud, it was aggresive and inentional.
The sound tore through the air echoing off buildings.
The smoke covered my vision and when it slightly cleared, my eyes widened and my smile faded.
“Fucking hell”