Chapter 89 : Tutor Me
HAYDEN’S POV:
Coach didn’t call players over after practice unless something goes wrong.
So the second I heard, “Hayden. Stay back a minute,” I already knew this isn’t about my performance on the field.
Because that part? I’m still killing it.
I drag a hand over the back of my neck, sweat cooling against my skin as the rest of the team jogs off. My chest is still heaving from drills, adrenaline not quite gone yet—but there’s something heavier sitting underneath it.
Coach watches me approach, arms crossed, expression tight.
Yeah, it's definitely not about soccer.
“What’s up?” I ask, keeping my tone casual, like I don’t already feel the tension creeping in.
He didn’t answer right away. He just studies me for a second, like he’s deciding how much patience he has left.
“Your grades,” he says finally.
There it is.
I exhale through my nose, glancing away. “I’m handling it.”
“No,” he cuts in sharply. “You’re not.”
My jaw tightens. “I’ve had two professors email me this week,” he continues. “Two, Hayden. That’s not normal. I'm hearing talks about missing assignments, skipped lectures and barely passing.”
I shrug, forcing nonchalance into my posture. “Still passing.”
“For now.”
That word again. Everyone keeps saying that like it’s supposed to scare me.
It does. I just hate that it does.
Coach steps closer, voice dropping slightly but losing none of its edge. “You’ve got until Friday. Every missing assignment turned in and grades up.”
“And if I don’t?” I ask, even though I already know.
His gaze hardens. “You don’t captain the next match.”
That hits, harder than anything Miss Jane said yesterday because this….this is real. This is my place and identity.
I scoff, but it sounds a little forced. “You wouldn’t bench me.”
“Try me.”
Silence stretches between us, thick and uncomfortable.
I hate this. I hate that everything’s slipping and I can’t even pretend it’s under control anymore.
“Get it together,” he adds, not unkindly this time. “You’re better than this.”
I nod once, sharp. “Yeah. I will.”
He didn’t look convinced.
I don’t blame him.
By the time I leave the field, my head’s already spinning but it's not from alcohol this time, but from the pressure closing in.
Friday? That’s… what, a few days? There were too many assignments and too much shit I’ve ignored.
I could try to do it myself, but even I’m not that delusional right now.
So instead, I do what I always do.
I find the easiest solution.
The cheer squad is still on the sidelines, wrapping up their own practice. I could hear their laughter, bright voices, energy that feels… lighter than everything in my head.
My eyes land on her almost immediately—Ariana.
She was leaning down to grab her bag, ponytail falling over her shoulder, toned legs on full display in that uniform. She straightens, brushing hair from her face and yeah, she notices me looking.
Of course she does. Girls always do.
I walk over without hesitation, slipping right back into something familiar and easy.
“Ariana.”
She turns fully this time, eyes lighting up just a little. “Hey, Hayden.”
There is already a hint of a blush creeping up her cheeks. They are so predictable.
I lean casually against the railing, letting my gaze drag over her just enough to make it obvious. “You’re good with school stuff, right?”
She laughs softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s one way to start a conversation.”
I smirk. “I’m serious.”
“Yeah,” she says, a little more confidently now. “I mean… I do well.”
“Good.” I tilt my head slightly. “Tutor me.”
Her eyes widen just a fraction, then flick over me again, slower this time.
“Oh,” she says, clearly caught off guard. “You want me to….”
“Yeah,” I cut in, stepping a little closer. “I’ve got assignments due and I need help.”
There was a pause, then she smiled, and yeah, there it is—that look. Interest, curiosity, or maybe a little excitement.
“I could do that,” she says, voice softer now.
“Library?” I ask.
She nods quickly. “Yeah. Tonight?”
“Works for me,” I responded.
“Seven?” she adds.
I grin. “I’ll be there.”
Her blush deepens as I push off the railing, already turning away.
That was too easy.
The library was quiet when I walked in. I already don’t like it but Ariana’s there, sitting at one of the tables with books spread out in front of her, laptop open. She looks up the second I approach, her face lighting up again.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I reply, dropping into the seat across from her.
She glances at me, then down at the papers in front of her. “So… what exactly do you need help with?”
I shrug, leaning back slightly. “Everything.”
She laughs under her breath. “Okay… we’ll start somewhere.”
For a while, it’s just that. We actually work. She explains things, walks me through assignments, and keeps me focused in a way that’s… surprisingly effective.
I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until she suddenly paused, studying me instead of the paper.
“What?” I ask.
She hesitates, then says, “Your exes are not happy, by the way.”
I blink. “What?”
“Lilian and Ella,” she clarifies, watching my reaction carefully. “They have been talking.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Of course they have.”
“They said you have been… different.”
“Yeah?” I lean forward slightly, resting my arms on the table. “And what do you think?”
Her gaze flickers, just for a second, before she shrugs. “I think… You don’t seem like someone who cares what they think.”
She’s right. I don’t, not even a little.
“Good,” I say simply and I mean it. Because right now? The past doesn’t matter. Lilian. Ella. All of it—it’s noise. What matters is right in front of me.
The way she’s looking at me now is a little unsure but definitely interested. The way her fingers toy with the edge of her notebook.
I shift closer, just enough to change the air between us. “You’re a good tutor,” I murmur.
Her breath catches slightly. “Thanks.”
“Yeah,” I add, voice dropping just a little. “Might need you around more often.”
Her lips part, and there’s that blush again and for a second, just a second, it almost works.
The distraction, the closeness, and the ease of it but then, a flicker like a shadow in the corner of my vision.
My body tenses instantly.
I glanced up sharply but there was nothing. Just bookshelves and silence but my chest tightens anyway.
Because I know what I almost saw….scratch that. I mean who?
I force my gaze back to Ariana, jaw tightening slightly as I push it down.
Ignore it. Just ignore it.
“Hayden?” she asks softly.
I blink, refocusing on her. “Yeah.”
“You okay?”
I nod too quickly. “Fine. I'm always fine. I lean back again, forcing a smirk. “Where were we?”
She hesitates, but then continues, picking up where she left off and I let her because as long as she’s talking… as long as there’s noise…