3

I found table four and sat down, smoothing the front of my dress even though no one was watching. I wasn't a nervous person, not really, but every time I had to tutor someone older than me, my stomach did these weird, anxious flips.

Most older students were late. Or rude. Or both. SoI held my breath and waited.

When the clock hit the exact time and a giant man walked toward me, I almost choked.

Right on time.

That was new.

"'m Darial Nice to meet you."

He didn't smile. Didn't pretend. Didn't even look like he wanted to be here.

Great start.

Black hoodie. Black jeans. Hood up. Heavy steps.

Definitely not a typical senior.

Honestly? Kinda terrifying.

I tried to read his face, but he had the emotional range of a wal. There was no way I was going to manage to teach a statue. I figured I should just start the conversation.

"So, we should get to know each other since we'll be stuck together." I said with my friendliest smile.

Nothing. Not even a nod. Awesome. Save me!

"Okay... well, I know l'm a little young, but I promise l know what I'm doing.

And I don't think I'm smarter than you or anyone. I'm just here to help explain things you might not understand. Um..."

Why was I rambling? Daria... stop.

"My favorite color is pink... as you can probably tell. I love animals and helping people. Any questions?"

l asked after my little spiel, praying it would loosen him up even a little.

"No."

Still expressionless. At least that was an answer... right?

"Okay... tell me about you then. Just so I can get to know you a bit."

He stared at me like the question personally offended him.

"Do you always talk this much?" he asked, dragging a hand over his face.

Iopened my mouth, then shut it.

I don't actually.

I talk to no one except my little sister.

ButI wasn't about to confess that.

Up close his jaw looked...really nice. Sharply cut, like someone sculpted it on purpose. His eyes were dark, almost empty. A hint of a tattoo peeked up his neck. His parents let him get that in high school? Wow.

He was huge... easily six foot three or four. Next to my five foot four, he looked like he accidentally walked into the wrong age group entirely.

His skin had this tanned warmth, his hair fell in loose waves and curls over his forehead, and his lips... okay, why were his lips nice?

"Well, how am I supposed to tutor a stranger?" I snapped lightly. "Are you always this grumpy?

Something flickered in his eyes.

Annoyance? Amusement? Murder? Hard to tell.

"So tell me something. What's your favorite color?" I tried again, folding my arms. Seniors were usually dramatic, but he was another level.

"Metallic."

He said it with a straight face.

Metallic.

What?!

I don't know what broke in me, but I giggled. Hard.

Itried to stop, but the more lI thought about it, the worse it got.

"What's funny?" he asked, voice low and flat.

"oh my gosh... metallic? That's a shade. And I just-I wasn't expecting that." I tried to compose myself and shuffled the papers in front of me. "You're kind of funny, Mr. Costa. I think we might be best friends."

His jaw clenched. No words. Just straight tension,

I'm convinced it's his job to be this serious.

Sitting beside him felt... strange.

I wasn't used to sitting that close to boys.

Not because he was attractive or anything like that.

Imean, he was, but that wasn't the point.

He just had this presence Like a thundercloud had sat down in the chair next to me. I found his

demeanour amusing.

No smile. No warmth. Literally nothing.

At least he smelled good, like really clean, manly soap. Better than most teenage boys.

He didn't say anything when he pulled his seat closer, just dropped into it with his hood half over his eyes. I wasn't sure if I should whisper or talk normally. He was actually... kind of intimidating.

"Okay" I said, clearing my throat. "We're going to start with algebra. Don't

worry, I'll walk you through it."

Silence.O... kay.

I pulled one of his worksheets closer.

Oh.

Every answer was blank or very wrong.

"That's okay"' I said softly, mostly to myself. "We can definitely fix this."

His jaw tensed, and I quickly shook my head.

"oh, I didn't mean it in a bad way!" I blurted. "Everyone starts somewhere.

You'll see."

No reaction.

He really wasn't a talker, huh?

I scooted a little closer so our elbows wouldn't have to stretch across the table. His arm brushed mine and he stiffened instantly, like I'd startled him.

"Sorry," I whispered."l just need to show you this part."

He didn't move at all.

Just breathed out sharply, like being near me was exhausting.

"So," I continued, pointing, "you see this variable"

"I see it," he muttered.

"You didn't even look" I blinked.

He flicked his eyes down, then back at me.

"Now I did."

I stared at him.

Was he... joking?

Maybe that was his version of humor.

"Okay," I sighed. "So if we move the three"

He suddenly leaned in, looking directly at the steps I was writing. His

shoulder brushed mine again warm, and solid.

"oh." he said guietly. "That's why I kept messing up."

His voice surprised me it was, softer than he looked.

Gentler, even.

"Yes!"I said, a little too excited, "Exactly, Nico."

He stayed close. Focused. It was almost... cute?

In a big-scary-teenage-boy-who-needs-help-kind-of-way.

"Do you want to try the next one?" I asked.

He picked up the pencil like it offended him again but wrote anyway. His

handwriting was surprisingly neat. He pushed the paper toward me, waiting.

I checked it.

"You got it right!" I clapped once. "See? You can do this."

His lips twitched.

Barely.

ButI saw it.

"Don't make it a big deal," he muttered.

"I'm not," I grinned. "t's just exciting to see progress this early. You're very teachable.

"Teachable," he repeated flatly.

"Yes," I nodded. "It'sa compliment. Don't make it sound so bad."

He didn't respond, but something in his shoulders... loosened. Just a little.

"Okay," I said, flipping the page. "Let's do the next one, bestie."

He stilled.

"I'm... not your bestie."

"Not yet," I shrugged. "But you're definitely in the running. Especially if you keep impressing me like this."

He stared at me like I had personally threatened his whole life.

I had to bite back a smile.

He definitely didn't find me as funny as I found him.

Oh, this semester was going to be so fun.