Chapter 5: Locked In

Akira's POV

I was really glad that I'll get to tutor Kael today. I knew he would be mean to me, but at least I'll get to do my job.

I sat on the couch, waiting patiently for Kael to descend down the stairs and hoping he wouldn't act like he did the previous day.

Kael being true to his words, he came down with books and textbooks. My face brightened up a little.

“Looks like you are happy to see me,” he teased.

“No I'm not.”

“Let’s get to business then,” he dropped the books on the table and sat beside me.

This was the first time we sat so close to one another, and the feeling was kind of weird.

“So, we are starting with Matrices,” I took out a textbook and opened a page.

“Alright.”

He watched me closely, paying attention to my teachings. The feeling of his gaze on me was a little off, but I adjusted to it.

Surprisingly, tutoring Kael was easier than I expected it to be. He easily understood even before I finished my explanations

I flipped to another section of the textbook.

“Okay, let's try this one: If A = [[2, 3], [4, 5]] and B = [[6, 7], [8, 9]], find AB."

Kael nodded, his eyes scanned through the textbook.

"We multiply rows by columns, right?"

"Exactly," I said.

He scribbled on the paper. A minute later, he looked up. "AB = [[36, 41], [64, 73]]?"

“That's correct.” I smiled and he smirked at me.

I was glad that he was getting it, but something bothered me; If Kael had such a high IQ, why was he having low grades?

The teachings went on for about two hours. I returned back home, filled with satisfaction and a bit of joy.

I met my mum sitting on the couch and taking off her socks, it seems like she just got back.

“Mum.” I called.

“Yes sweetie.”

“How did your day at work go?”

“It went well darling,” she answered. But I knew that was a blatant lie.

From the looks of it, her legs were hurting, she wasn't just taking off her socks, she was massaging her toes slightly.

She must have stood the entire day, and I really did not like that, she was overworking herself.

“I will make dinner for you mum,” I suggested.

“Thanks,” she smiled. It was the least I could do for her. She does her best to care for me.

>>>>>>>

“Get me a burger and chocolate milkshake,” he ordered, his tone sharp and firm. He gave me money as well.

I collected the money and walked straight to the vendor. If I ran late, Kael would punish me for it.

“Hey you,” a voice called and I turned back.

“Also get me a strawberry milkshake,” Linda said.

“Who says you can order her around, only I get to order her around,” Kael said.

“I thought…”

“Do you even know how to think?” Kael cuts her off.

I held back my laughter but the other kids seated at Kael's table laughed hard. 

“Kael?...” Linda fumed as she got angry and she walked away from them.

I heard that Kael and Linda were dating, but they broke up due to certain reasons. Some girls said it had to do with Linda's bad attitude. But to me it was both ways. Linda and Kael both have bad attitudes, it was normal for them not to stand one another.

 “Why are you still standing?” Kael muttered. 

I almost forgot that he sent me on an errand, that stupid cheerleader caused it. I went to get what he sent me and hurriedly returned back to him.

“You're fast,” he said. I do not know if that was supposed to be just a comment or a compliment.

I stood there waiting for him to taste the stuff but he didn't, he was talking to his friends instead, while I just froze like a dummy. He once said I should never leave until he takes a bite or a sip of what I got him.

“It tastes so bland…” He complained, as soon as he tasted the milkshake.

He asked for a chocolate milkshake and that was exactly what I gave him, the taste being bland had nothing to do with me.

“I don't know,” I muttered.

“You surely do not know. It's not your fault, I guess,” he muttered, dropping the milkshake on the table.

I thought he was going to lash out at me and blame me for the outcome of the milkshake, but he didn't.

On that note, I faded from his presence, finding my way into the library and I started munching on some books, reading to my content.

School time was over before I left the library, I was so evolved in reading that I didn't hear the school bell ring. The usually crowded hallways were now empty. Who would have thought that Underwich Academy could be so quiet?

The sound of my footsteps echoes through the walls. I moved cautiously, afraid that I was the only one left at school.

Out of nowhere, I heard a scrapping sound, like an object scratching through ice. I froze. God, I am so fucked up! Why did I go to the library at almost closing hours?

I hurried my steps towards the door, hoping to get out quickly, but the door was locked. I pushed the door, trying to find a way, but it still didn't open. Damn! I just got locked inside the school. 

I sat on the floor beside the door, clutching on my school bag tightly. My messy hair strands fell to my face, I blew the strands away with air from my mouth.

I was in deep shit! I had no phone to call my mother or any of the school staff to come help me. How do I go about Kael too? I have to tutor him today.

I removed my glasses and I ran my hand through my hair frustratedly. I was still thinking of a way out when I heard another sound. I immediately stood on my feet and decided to trace the sound. I don't know how long I'd be in here for, I should know the cause of the sounds.

I put my glasses back on. It would be hard for me t

o find my way without them. I moved closer to the source of the sound, the sound got louder with each step I took.