Chapter 14 First tutoring session

Chapter 14 First tutoring session

Harley

“The process by which green plants manufacture their own food by making use of carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight is?”

“Uh… Plant food manufacturing?” Asher replied, his face scrunched up in confusion.

“Wrong, the answer is photosynthesis.” I placed his notebook back in front of him and pointed to the highlighted word.

“Damn, I wrote it out myself. How did I mess it up?” He frowned.

I watched as he skimmed through his jottings, his frown deepening with every line he read. Asher and I started our tutoring session today and it has been, well, eventful.

He hadn't argued with me since we got to the library almost two hours ago so that was something. He had never been so cooperative with me, but I guess the conversation we had last night really worked after all.

I hadn't really planned on talking to him last night, I didn't even know why I followed him upstairs, but I was glad I did. I felt so much lighter after we talked, like I had finally shaved off a burden I was carrying.

The bonus point was that I could keep an eye on him like I promised Henry. I informed Henry about the new arrangements this morning and he warned me to be careful. That was it.

“I think I got it now.” Asher nodded to himself. He passed the notebook back to me. “Here, ask me another question.”

“Are you sure? Maybe study it a bit more.” I pushed back to him.

“No, I got it. I swear. Ask me a question, any question.”

“Okay,” I flipped through his notebook. “What are the two types of reproduction in plants?”

Asher snorted. “That's easy. Sexual and asexual reproduction. I can even define them both if you want.”

“How about you define the Kreb's cycle instead?” I asked.

“The what? I'm not sure we studied that one.”

“Yeah we did. It's right here.” I pushed the notebook towards him and pointed to the topic. “It's right after cellular respiration.”

He scanned through the page, his brows furrowed in confusion. I folded my arms and watched as the realization dawned on him.

“Oh, we did study it.” He sucked in a breath.

“You know what, I think we've done enough studying today. Let's continue tomorrow.” I said and began closing the textbooks on the desk.

“No, we're not leaving anything. I said I would study so let's study.”

I sighed. “Asher, we've been studying for the past two hours. It's time to take some rest. You're clearly tired.”

“No, I'm not. I'm serious. We can keep going.” He insisted.

“One hour ago, your answered all my questions perfectly, but now, the only one you got right was about plant reproduction. Let's take a break.” I said firmly.

“To be fair, I do have some expertise when it comes to human sex. You can understand why the plant one stuck too, right?”

I raised an eyebrow and kept my face stern.

“But yes, you're right We do need to take a break.” He sighed.

“Good.” I stood up and grabbed my backpack. Asher did the same and we began walking out of the library together.

“What do you say we continue when we get home? We were having such a great time in there, don't you think? I can even grab some chocolate flavoured ice cream for you, Teach.”

I turned to him, my brows furrowed. “Teach?”

“Yeah, since you're my teacher now. Calling you Red or Brat seem inappropriate.” He clicked his tongue.

I stopped walking and turned to him. “Okay, I'm not your teacher, I'm your tutor. Those are two different things. And how about you don't call me any of those things? I have a name. Use it.”

Asher rubbed his chin with his thumb and fore finger as if in deep thoughts. “Nah, I like Red better. It suits you better. And I think you like it too.”

I groaned in disbelief and began walking away. I headed towards the class buildings. I brought out my phone and sent a text.

“Where are you going? Parking lot is that way.” He said as he caught up with me.

“I'm not going home now. I gotta meet up with someone first.” My phone vibrated at that moment and I saw a text from Ryan.

The two of us had exchanged numbers at assembly that morning and he'd reminded me about the tour I promised him. So I asked him to meet me after school today. We may or may not have flirted a little bit after that, and I enjoyed it. Ryan was really cute and funny too.

“Who are you meeting?” Asher's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. That was when I realized I had been smiling stupidly at my phone.

“Uhm … someone. A friend.” I responded.

For some reasons, I didn't want to tell Asher about Ryan. I didn't even know the guy. I literally just met him almost twenty four hours ago. But telling Asher just felt … wrong.

“I know all your friends. The only friend you have is three thousand miles away, and your other friends are stuffed in your backpack. That's your school book.”

My mouth fell open. I couldn't even find it insulting because of how accurate it was. But I wasn't going to let him win just like that.

“I have friends.” I trailed off.

“Yeah, okay.” Asher snorted. “So who are you meeting?”

“A friend.” I repeated and typed a quick response to Ryan. He responded with a funny GIF that made me smile again.

“Is it a boy? Do you have a boyfriend now?” The question seem casual, but I noticed the stiffness in his posture, the way he stared at me expecting an answer.

“None of your business. Just go home without me.” I brushed past him and headed for the class buildings where Ryan said he'd be.

I felt the weight of Asher's stare as I walked away, but I chose to ignore it. I wasn't doing anything wrong or illegal. I was simply returning a favour by helping the guy who helped me.

I finally got to where Ryan stood. He was leaning on the wall and scrolling through his phone.

“Hey,” I said.

He raised his head from his phone and smiled. “Woah! That was fast. You texted me barely minutes ago.”

“I was close by when I texted you.” I replied. “What about you?”

“I've been waiting since classes ended.”

My eyes widened slightly. “But that was two hours ago. We could have just done the tour tomorrow instead of you waiting for me.”

“Well, I'm just really eager to see the beauty of this school and the beautiful tour guide.” He smiled softly.

I smiled back, my face turned a light shade of red. I cleared my throat and pushed those thoughts out of my mind.

“Let's start our tour here. I'm sure you already know this is the class building. Over there is the library.” I pointed to the place I was coming from. “It's said to be the biggest in the city.”

“Biggest in the city? I don't know about that. I've seen bigger.”

“Maybe don't mention that in front of the school board. They can literally tear the library down and rebuild it just to prove you wrong.”

“Oh really?” He chuckled.

“Yeah.”

We walked away from the building. I pointed out the auditorium, the library's front view, the staff building, the large football field, then the cafeteria.

“And over there is the cafeteria.”

“It looks more beautiful than the one at my old school. I hope the food doesn't suck. I've been traumatized by food from there.” He clicked his tongue.

“Oh, it sucks. Don't let the glossy sheen fool you. Most of the students pack their own food for lunch. If they don't, they just get snacks from there or go hungry during lunch break.” I explained.

“Hm,” he nodded. “So which set of people do you belong to, Harley?”

“I mostly go there to get snacks or I just go hungry. I stay away from the cafeteria if I can.” I sighed. “Okay, that's the end of our tour. I hope your enjoyed it.”

“Oh, I did. My old school wasn't this beautiful.” He dragged his gaze around.

“What was it like then?” I asked.

“Boring. I don't really get along with anyone there.”

I nodded. I could totally relate to that. The only person I got along with was Henry, and now, he wasn't here anymore.

“Do you wanna get coffee sometime?” he asked.

I blinked in surprise as the implication dawned on me. I fumbled through my mind for an answer.

“I meant as friends. I haven't made a single friend in school or in my neighborhood, and you seem like a great person.”

My first instinct was to refuse and make up some ridiculous excuse, but Asher was right. I needed to expand my friendship circle. And maybe I'll start feeling a little less lonely.

“I'd love that.” I smiled.