The Boy Next Door

After an incredibly long math class, the bell rings and it's finally time to go home. I gather my things, ready to leave the class. But I hear Mrs. Lindsey calling my name just as I'm about to head out the door.

"Gail! Can I have a word for a second?" Mrs. Lindsey calls

Panic rises inside me. What have I done wrong? Did she catch me skipping school last week? A thousand other reasons pop in my mind. Clearing the thoughts off my mind, I nervously walk towards her desk. "Is there anything wrong, Mrs. Lindsey?"

"No need to worry! It's not anything bad. If anything, it's me who needs your help." She says

I let out a sigh of relief, "What can I help you with?"

"I'm really concerned with Alex's grades.." Mrs. Lindsey sighs, "I know deep down he's a really clever boy. He just needs a little bit extra of attention."

Okay.. What does Alex's grades have anything to do with me?

"You're one of my top students in this school. Do you mind tutoring Alex for me? I know you two live just across each other, so I figured it would be easier for you to arrange the schedule." She adds

It takes me a while to process. The group that I avoid the most, and now my teacher practically just asked me to voluntarily spend time with one of them. In this case, tutoring.

"Uh, It's not that I don't want to, but I think I don't really have the time- I've been really busy with-" I stutter, trying to make up excuses

Mrs. Lindsey frowns, "Oh, too bad. I already told Alex about it. He was rather eager, actually. Maybe I should go ask Tara Coleman if she could.. Well, thank you for your time, Gail."

The thought of Tara Coleman, the girl with thick framed glasses who I once heard her complaining to her mate about only being able to read 4 books this week, tutoring Alex makes me cringe a little bit.

"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Lindsey. I hope I can be more of a help." I politely apologize

"It's okay, I understand." She nods

I quickly sprint out of class to avoid anymore this awkwardness from her and head for my locker to put my books. I meet up with Travis outside so he can drive me home as he always does every day. As he's driving, I tell him that Mrs. Lindsey has asked me to tutor Alex. Which of course we both know isn't going to happen.

I bid goodbye to Travis after he drops me off my house. I'm just about to unlock the front door when I hear someone calling my name.

"Gail!"

I turn around and find myself face to face with Alex. Clearly he's not someone I've been looking forward to have a conversation with.

"I saw you coming, so I rushed here to talk to you." He pants

I stand there, just looking at him. To be honest, I don't even know what say to him.

"Well, I don't know if Mrs. Lindsey's told you, but I was wondering if you could tutor me.. You know, help me catch up with math." He says, scratching the back of his head

I force myself to answer, cause I doubt he'll leave without one. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, she did."

His smile lights up, "Great! When should we start then? I think there's gonna be a quiz next week, better if we start early."

"Uh.. Actually, I can't. I can't tutor you. I'm busy. I have this-" I lie

He rises an eyebrow, "Busy with what? You rarely leave your house everyday besides going to school."

"Oh, so now you're saying that all along, you've been stalking my daily life?" I remark sarcastically

"Excuse me, last time I checked my house is right across yours and whether I like it or not, I can't change the fact that your house is the only view from my bedroom." He fires back

"Then shut your curtain!" I start to get annoyed

"Don't tell me what to do!"

I groan, "I can't, okay? I just.. Can't!"

"Give me one reason why!" Alex demands

Fuck it, I don't want to have to explain why I've been avoiding him. I've got to think of an excuse..

"I... I'm going out for a run. I've been planning to get back in shape."

I give myself a slap in the face in my mind. Why that? Because a jogger's just passed my house and that's literally the first thing that came in my mind.

"That's it? You put going out for a run over helping me?" He laughs a humourless laugh, "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but that's so selfish of you."

"Fine! If you're never going to quit, tomorrow, meet me at Starbucks after school." I surrender

"Starbucks? I was thinking if we could just do it at your house.." He pauses, "Or mine."

I freeze. The last time he went inside my house was that night when I asked him to come inside after his fight with his mother.. We never even mentioned about it once.

"Do you want or not want me to tutor you? Starbucks, tomorrow after school or you can hang out with Tara Coleman after she tutors you."

"Okay, okay! Starbucks, tomorrow after school. Anything else, Princess?" He smirks

I roll my eyes, "Get out of the way, you're blocking the entrance."

He bows, "Your wish is my command, Your Highness."

I shut the door behind him. What have I gotten myself into? Why couldn't I say no?
I'm just going to give him math tutorings, it's not like we're going out or what.

I make my way to my room and tidy up a bit. I change into a pair of running shorts and tank top, also putting on my sneakers. I know I didn't exactly mean what I said to Alex, but if I'm going to make it convincing, I have to actually go out for a run.

I take my time stretching in front of the house, but not daring to see Alex's bedroom. I just hope he's seeing this, to prove what I said. As I start jogging lightly, maybe I should really consider exercisesing more.

Well, maybe.

------------------

"You're late." I say sternly, as Alex makes himself comfortable on the seat in front of me

"I know, I'm sorry. I had to go tell Jack and Rian that I can't practice tonight." Alex explains

I close my novel, "Well, took you long enough for me to finish half of my coffee since I got here an hour ago."

"I'm sorry, okay? I'll buy you another drink." He frowns

"Whatever. Let's just get started, I have work to get done tonight." I say, opening up my textbook

"Greek mythology? Are you reading it for a class?" He eyes my novel as I'm shoving it into my bag

I shake my head, "Nah, it's for leisure reading."

"Leisure reading? You're such a dork. Who the hell reads stuff like that for leisure reading?" He scoffs

"Do you want to study or not? And if reading Greek mythology makes me a dork, than I'm not ashamed to be one." I scold

"Okay, okay! Anything for you, Princess." Alex winks

I lightly smack his side and begin to explain. He leans in to get a better look, nodding as I continue to the next step. I tell him to answer some questions, which takes around 5 questions until he can finally get it right.

"Wait.. Did I actually just get the right answer?" He says

"Yeah, you sure did." I laugh

He smiles, "Damn, I feel like fucking Einstein!"

"Well, too bad you can't. He's dead." I giggle

"Oh come on! You get what I mean. Wow, this is actually great. Math actually makes sense!" He still looks amazed

"If only you'd paid attention in class." I roll my eyes

We continue studying until around 8, when my mom calls to pick me up. I finally get Alex to understand some of the materials for our upcoming test, and also our homework. It's really sad that Alex is actually really bright and smart. Like I said, if only he'd paid more attention in class.

"Hey, you do realize that we live right across each other? Why do you have to call your mom to pick you up?" He asks

"I'm going to have dinner at a restaurant first with my mom, besides she passes here on her way back home." I explain

"That's my mom's car. Bye, Alex." I run to the car, I don't want my mom to see Alex because I know she would ask him to come with us she did

"Thanks, Gail! See you tomorrow!" He shouts behind me

"Is that Alex?" My mom asks as soon as I get in the car

"Yeah, Mrs. Lindsey asked me to tutor him." I explain

"Why didn't you ask him to come have dinner with us! Does he have a ride home?" My mom says worriedly

"No! I mean, he's driving. Uh.. And he told me he had to go to his friend's house afterwards." I lie. I don't need another hour or two with him. Let alone with the company of my mom.

"Too bad. I was hoping he could, though."

And I silently nod as I stare out the window.

Notes

Here's the next update! I hope you all are doing good. Last week I went and saw As It Is and State Champs!! It was really damn amazing and I crowd surfed for the first time. At the end of the concert everyone went on stage and I sang along next to Derek!! It's been 5 days and I still have bruises all over my body but well it was worth it!!

Also, I have a question

Il y a quelqu'un qui parle francais ici? :)