Chapter 11- Tutoring and Tensions 

Chloe was sitting in the front passenger seat, which made things more complicated. 

Mia and I strolled over to Logan's car, and settled into the rear seat. Logan's eyes met mine through the car's rearview mirror, his gaze filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Why is that guy with you again, kiddo?" Logan asked, with hint of annoyance in his tone, directing his question to me.

"Logan, He's our friend. Liam's been a friend for ages. It's only natural that he hangs out with us," I retorted, trying my best to hide my unease.

"He likes you, doesn't he?" Logan asked , his curiosity evident in his probing tone.

"Yes, he does like me. What's the issue you have with that?" I snapped, my frustration and confusion mounting as the tension between us grew.

"Ah, this kid..." Logan started, letting out a sigh as his voice faded. 

Mia, ever the peacemaker in our group, decided to step in. "Enough already with your squabble, you two! Let's not make the car ride uncomfortable," she chimed in, her tone reflecting her desire to diffuse the escalating tension.

I nodded in agreement with Mia's sentiment, realizing that debating with Logan over Liam and Chloe was not going to result in a fruitful conversation. So I kept my thoughts to myself, not wanting to make things more complicated with Logan. 

On our way back home, as we sat in the car, the familiar chime of a text message interrupted our conversation. Upon glancing at my phone I realized it was our test results.

My friend Mia, expressed her relief. "Our results are out, Blaire. Thank goodness my score isn't too bad," she exclaimed with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. I replied "Let me check mine too," and opened my message to view the results of my test

"What you're score, kiddo?" Logan queried. 

Logan, Mia's protective older brother, asked his voice revealing a trace of curiosity regarding my test results. Panic welled up inside me, knowing that my score was significantly lower than Mia's, and Chloe, the reason I was feeling uneasy, sat in the car with us. Chloe was well known for her condescending attitude, often claiming that her academic prowess exceeded everyone else's.

"Huh," I muttered in response, pretending not to have heard Logan's question clearly. My heart raced with anxiety, my mind wrestling with concerns about how Logan and Chloe would react to my average score. Particularly Chloe had a knack for belittling people based on their accomplishments, and I wasn't prepared for her judgment.

Logan, seemingly growing more curious and concerned, pressed for an answer. "Results, baby. " he repeated, his eagerness to know evident.

Without giving me a chance to respond, he reached for my phone, as he was driving, and proceeded to check my results, my pulse quickened even further. I couldn't help but wonder what he might say and how he would respond . Was he going to be dissappointed? Would he be mad at me? My fear also extended to Chloe, fearing that she might make fun of me.

However, as Logan handed my phone back without uttering a word, I was still nervous. It was really an emotionally charged moment, my thoughts a chaotic jumble, filled with uncertainties and apprehensions about how this discovery might affect my relationship with Logan and the presence of Chloe, who had a tendency to look down upon those who didn't perform well in school. 

Upon reaching home, Mia and I prepared to exit the car, but Logan held me back, signaling that he wanted to talk with me privately. We watched as Chloe and Mia went inside the house, leaving us in the car. Chloe's displeasure was evident, likely stemming from her own desire to keep Logan's attention solely on her, but she had to share it with me now.

In this secluded moment, my heart still raced from the earlier revelation of my low math score. I was anxious about how Logan would react. Would he be disappointed? Angry? My apprehension was palpable.

When Logan finally spoke, he addressed my low math score "Your score is low in mathematics." 

But to my surprise, it was not with criticism or anger. Instead, he offered to help. He suggested, "Let me tutor you when I'm free."

"Truly? Alright," I breathed a sigh of relief upon realizing that Logan's reaction to my test results was not at all what I had anticipated. His calm acceptance and the offer to help me improve my arithmetic test scores eased my anxious heart. His understanding and consideration spoke volumes about the depth of our connection.

I couldn't help but reflect on the  way Logan had chosen not to confront me about my test results in front of Chloe. I realized that it wasn't due to a lack of concern; rather, it was a deliberate act of kindness. Logan was considerate about my feelings, knowing that I might have been hurt or embarrassed if he had openly discussed my results in front of Chloe. It was a gesture of protection and an affirmation of our bond.

Logan's intention to save me from possible embarrassment was both heartwarming and comforting. It reaffirmed the idea that our relationship was based on trust and an unwavering support for each other. I was appreciative of his understanding, knowing that his priority was my happiness and well-being.

As we exited the car, Logan said, "Don't dwell on your results right now," offering an understanding smile as he gently patted my head. He didn't focus on how well I did. Instead, he focused on my well-being," You must be starving. Let's go get some food," suggesting we grab some food. I followed him into the house with a sense of gratitude for his understanding and the bond we shared.

Logan came over the following day to tutor me at home. Mia had other plans with Sean, and she didn't want to put up with Logan's rigorous teaching style. In my case, I couldn't turn down Logan's offer, especially since my recent math test result had been quite average.

We settled in the study room, surrounded by textbooks and notes. Logan began to explain mathematical concepts, diving into formulas and problems that often felt like they were flying over my head. Despite the complexity, I forced myself to concentrate because, after all, it was Logan who was instructing and teaching me.

pointing at a problem on the textbook, Logan stated, "Alright, Blaire, let's start with this equation. Remember the formula we discussed earlier? It will help you solve this."

I nodded, trying my best to concentrate and learn from him. Despite the weariness washing over me, I forced myself to keep my eyes wide open and pay attention during the study session.

The hours passed, and Logan's dedication to helping me began to pay off as I slowly grasped the intricate math problems before me. 

Logan swiftly retreated to the kitchen, allowing me to finish my studies. I kept turning pages in my book. However, my concentration wavered when my phone lit up with a new message. It was from Liam. As I reached for my phone, I didn't realize Logan returning from the kitchen. My curiosity had caught his attention.

He leaned over to take a quick look at my phone, and upon reading the message, he swiftly snatched it before I could even pick up phone. I spun around in surprise, bewildered, only to discover my phone firmly in Logan's grasp. I rose from my chair and tried to get my phone back, but there was a significant height difference between us.

I had to jump to try and grab it back. As my hand extended towards my phone, Logan effortlessly circled his strong veiny arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him in one fluid motion. I was caught off guard by the move and I couldn't help but jump slightly in response. The gap between us had vanished, and my heart raced as his arm held me firmly against him.

"I don't like to see my kid getting distracted," Logan remarked, his tone laced with a hint of jealousy.

I took my phone back from his grasp, my heart still racing from the sudden intimacy. Sitting back down in my chair, I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart and continued to focus on my studies.

Logan handed me an equation to figure out. As I concentrated on the equations, I noticed he had sat down on a nearby chair. His eyes closed briefly, and I realized  he had been working hard despite his busy schedule to help me. Mischievous thoughts crept into my mind, and I contemplated drawing on his face with a marker. The marker was in my hand, and I approached softly towards him. Just as I was about to carry out my little act of mischief, he swiftly grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. I ended up in his lap.

"What trick are you trying to pull now, kiddo?" Holding me in his lap, Logan asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. 

"I was just..." I began, trying to squirm out of his grasp, but he was surprisingly firm.

He tenderly took my face in his hands and turned it towards his, our eyes locking. The space between our faces had diminished considerably, and I could feel my heart racing.

The air was charged with an unexplainable tension. Our breaths mingled, and I couldn't help but wonder how we had transitioned from being mischievous to being this close.

As our eyes locked in that tender moment, the world appeared to slow down, and the distance between our lips narrowed to a mere whisper. It felt as though an invisible force was gently drawing us closer, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. Our breaths synchronized, dancing in unison, creating an intimate connection that defied words. Every heartbeat echoed the undeniable chemistry that existed between us, like a soft, romantic melody that only the two of us could hear. The world around us faded away, leaving nothing but the promise of an almost kiss.