Chapter 36 Frustrated Tutor

Chapter 36 Frustrated Tutor
Melanie's POV

“You offered to give another student private lessons? Why that's wonderful, Melanie. Well done." Mrs Quincey clasped her hands together in admiration, “If only more students here were like you."

" I just wanted to do my part to help out” I smiled abashedly, feeling a tiny prick of shame. How would she feel if she ever found out my reasons for doing this were selfish.
" I think that's very admirable. Of course you can use the library after school hours. Although,..” She adjusted her large purple rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose, " You might need to double check with a head teacher or the principal. You know I will always cover for you but it's best to get extra permission. Just to be safe."

“I understand ma'am." I replied as I glanced at my watch. I had about ten minutes before the closing bell rang. Just enough time to make it to the counselor's office but only if I moved now. “Thank you very much Mrs Quincey. I'll be right back."

I dashed for the doors as she called out, ‘“Bye dear."

Conner had taken a few classes with me that day. We were both in the cafeteria during lunch, he could've told me of this change at any moment during those times. He chose to tell me a few minutes before school was over.
It wasn't hard to see why. He was trying to get me frustrated to the point of backing out. He couldn't outrightly back out since this was sanctioned by the head counselor and he might be heir to Bloodmoon pack but Dalderia high School played no favours.

So his best option was to get me to quit.

Not a chance.

Counselor Dawson did not have the reaction I was hoping for. He leveled a stern gaze at me and said, " No.”
I held back a gasp.

" Sir, I know it's technically against school policy….”
"Not technically. Literally. And me letting you tutor Mr Rivenhall was against policy in the first place. By the way, that isn't going so well is it? I'm yet to see an improvement.” he folded his arms on his desk and waited for my defense.

" It's only been a week sir. The progress will be gradual,...”
" How many days have you tutored him?”
" Um….” I had the urge to squirm in my seat as my eyes darted around the office, "one."

“One day?!" His eyes widened.
“Conner hasn't had the time…." I rushed to say but he cut me off.
“Oh hasn't he? One might say he isn't taking this seriously." The look on his face was mildly triumphant. Like he had been expecting this outcome.

" He is taking this seriously. In fact, he proposed the change in tutoring location. He said being at his house made him too comfortable and he would rather be in a learning environment because that would make him focus better.” I surprised myself by how confidently the lie slipped out.
" He said that?” Mr Dawson furrowed his eyebrows in doubt.
" Yep. So I asked Mrs Quincey and she said it was fine but I had to come take your permission as well.” I managed to infuse just a smidge of righteous indignation and disappointment into my tone. A tiny bit goes a long way, William had said.

And he was right. Counselor Dawson cleared his throat, looking contrite. " Well, If Conner is really as serious about this as you've said, and if Mrs Quincey has given you permission then I guess I won't stand in your way."

“Thank you very much sir. I'll let Conner know right away." I got to my feet and headed out the door before he could complete his reply. I didn't want to give him time to change his mind.

Just as I stepped out of the office, the closing bell rang and I heaved a sigh of relief.

Conner kept me waiting for forty minutes.
I thought about going in search of him a lot of times but school was over for the day, he could be anywhere. So I stayed put and got my heart broken yet again.

What if he didn't show up. I bitterly realized I didn't even have his phone number.
Matter of fact,I didn't have William's either. The concept of having access to your class mates numbers and chatting or calling them was a foreign concept to me. I only ever talked with Dave and Ross. I'd tried collecting numbers and making friends at one time but after the third block, I never asked a student for their contact again.

Just as I considered packing up and leaving, I saw Conner ambling towards me.
“Hi." I called out, hating how relieved I sounded.
“Sup." He threw his bag on the table again and took a seat beside me.
“Um…you're late. You know we need to keep to time if these sessions are going to be efficient….” I trailed off as I registered the look on his face. Then I cleared my throat and shrugged.
“Let's make this quick." He drawled in boredom.

Much like the last time, Conner had no intention of paying attention. He stared into the distance or twirled a pen or some other activity and answered every question I asked with a shrug and a mumbled, " Dunno.”

I felt like bursting into tears.

Finally, I got an idea and wrote out three math equations for him to solve.
He looked at me like I had gone mad but for the first time,I stared right back and repeated the request clearly.

I tended to forget William's lessons when faced with reality but forcing myself to recall and apply actually worked. Conner sucked in a breath through his teeth but he grabbed the pen and paper and got to work.
Well Whaddya know!

As he grumbled to himself and scribbled across the paper with speed, my eyes fell on a large brown book hanging off his backpack
The edges were lined with gold and the hard back was engraved with what I recognized to be royal house emblems and the Bloodmoon pack sigil.

Intrigued, I pulled it out of the backpack fully to examine.
The title read; A Historical Account of the Founding and Rise to prominence of the Bloodmoon pack.

“So cool." I breathed out and Conner raised his head.
I turned to ask him where he got it but he jerked to his feet and snagged the book from my hands.
" What the hell is your problem?!” He yelled, " Did I say you could touch my stuff?”
" I didn't mean to. It was hanging out your backpack and….”
" Hanging out? Or you took it out?”

" I didn't, honestly….”
He jabbed a finger in my face as he leaned towards me, " I'm gonna say this once and once only. You don't ever, EVER, touch my stuff." He was really close to me now. Close enough for me to see the flecks of black in his grey eyes and the hateful snarl on his face. I'd leaned as far back as the chair would allow but it wasn't enough. " You try it one more time, and I'll make sure you regret it. Understand?!”

I nodded sheepishly, " I...I'm sorry.”
" You fucking better be. I'm done with this shit ." He threw the paper off the table and grabbed his bag.

“But we aren't…" I started to say but thought better of it and clamped my mouth shut.

Conner kicked a chair in anger as he stormed off.