“I’ve spoken to his other teachers and while his grades aren’t great, he’ll squeak by in those classes. It appears English is his weakest subject.”
Given English is my best, it seems I might be able to do some good.
Part of me wants to decline and not get involved, but I know if I don’t at least try to help, it will gnaw at me.
“I have some time after school and on the weekends.” I swipe my books off my desk. “I can’t promise my tutoring will make him pass, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”
She lights up. “That’s wonderful. Thank you so much, Lennon.” She looks around her empty classroom. “There’s a faculty meeting after school today, but I can leave my classroom unlocked for you to use so you two can get acquainted and set up a schedule.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.” I’m heading toward the door when it occurs to me that I don’t even know who it is I’ll be tutoring. “Who’s the student?”
She looks up from the pile of papers on her desk. “I’m not sure if you know him since you two aren’t in the same class, but it’s Phoenix Walker.”
It feels like someone pulled the rug out from underneath my feet.
“Oh.”
She blinks. “Is that a problem?”
Not unless she considers my stomach bottoming out, my sudden case of sweaty palms, or the inability to draw air into my lungs a problem.
“Nope. Everything’s fine.”
Just fine.
Maybe I should tell Mrs. Herman I came down with mono.
Or malaria.
I could say there’s an emergency at home.
Or that my goldfish died.
I tug on the hem of my shirt as I walk down the empty hallway, silently cursing myself for ever agreeing to this in the first place.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I was hoping my nerves would have subsided throughout the day, but they’ve only gotten worse.
And now here I am…ready to tango in the lion’s den.
Not that Phoenix is a lion.
He’s more like a lone wolf.
Especially with those icy-blue eyes and his don’t fuck with me or I’ll tear out your jugular with my teeth demeanor.
I’m relieved when I find the classroom empty. Arriving first gives me the upper hand…and some extra time to chill the fuck out.
Placing my book bag on the long table in the back, I plop down in a seat.
Five minutes soon turns into ten, and there’s still no sign of him.
Relieved, I pack up my stuff while humming one of my favorite songs, “Cryin,” by Aerosmith.
Music has always been my first love. Whenever I’m stressed or sad or nervous…it’s there with open arms. Wrapping me up like a warm blanket on a cold day.
It’s not long before my humming turns to full-on singing. I’m belting out the line about love being sweet misery when I see a tall form enter the classroom in my peripheral.
Oh, God.
I freeze. The only sound I can hear now is my pulse thrumming in my ears.
Don’t look.
I kind of have to though, given he’s here to see me.
When I finally muster the courage to angle my head, I find him propped against the doorway with his hands in the pocket of his jeans and a sly smirk on his face.
Awesome.
“Don’t stop on my account.”
His voice is crushed velvet wrapped in silk and gravel.
Luckily, mine comes out sounding way more in control than I feel. “You’re late.”
He strides inside like he owns the place. “Had to take care of something.”
I have to stop myself from asking what that was because it’s none of my business.
He stands, hovering over me like an impending storm cloud as I take a few books and folders out of my bag. “Mrs. Herman said you’re having some trouble in English class.”
I feel like a moron because, duh, that’s why he’s here, but I have no idea how to get the ball rolling because he’s not exactly Mr. Talkative.
After what feels like an eternity, he joins me at the table, but still remains silent.
I decide to try a different tactic. “What days and times are you available? I’m usually free after school and on weekends.”
I mentally smack myself because I just made myself sound like a loser.
He leans back in the chair with his legs spread and a pissed-off expression on his gorgeous face. As if it’s my fault he’s here.
Opening a folder, I take out the essay we’re supposed to read and analyze, and a list of questions about it. “Okay. We can set up our schedule later.” I slide the paper across the table. “I’ll give you a few minutes to read this and then we can—”