Scheduling

The next day rolls in feeling kind of slow. I’m nervous about having to tutor Ryan, and I’m also dreading his reaction to the fact that I’m the one doing the tutoring. As usual, Dad drops me off at school on his way to work, and I march in as though it’s a battlefield.

Soon enough, I head to my first class. Just as I sit down, I feel a shadow loom over my desk. I raise my head—and there he is. Ryan.

I swallow the lump in my throat. The fact that I’m this nervous talking to my best friend of over six years is heartbreaking. It sends a sharp stab through my stomach. This was the guy I trusted to always have my back. Now he’s the very person I have to watch out for… because he might be the one doing the stabbing.

“I heard you’re going to be my tutor for the foreseeable future,” he says by way of greeting.

“Good morning to you too, Ryan. And yes, Madam Agatha already informed me yesterday,” I reply, looking up at him defiantly.

“And you agreed just like that?” he asks, incredulous.

“Was I supposed to refuse?” I fire back, already aware of the attention we’re drawing. Ryan is next in line for captain of the football team once the current douchebag retires, which basically makes him a small god at school right now.

“Fine. When is the first session, and where?” he asks after a breath.

I’m taken aback. I expected him to make things difficult—especially with the whole me being a ‘sissy’ thing.

“You choose the place, but the first session is supposed to be after today’s classes,” I say.

“That’s going to be difficult. I have practice today,” he replies.

“Well work it out, Mr. Hotshot. I also have things to get to,” I snap, already feeling irritation creep in. These days, he just brings out the worst in me.

“Oh? Like what? Your Asians that don’t even know you exist?” he says.

And I see red.

“At least I’m not chasing a tiny ball just for the fun of it,” I shoot back, anger rising. Yes, I know those Asians don’t know me—but that has nothing to do with why I like them. And the fact that he knows that and still pokes at it makes it worse.

“My place. Today at seven. Be there—or not. Up to you.”

I sigh and nod. He shrugs and walks away to his seat.

The rest of the day drags by, and Ceci’s absence hits me harder than I expected. Normally, when I’m about to lose it, she’s right there—either calming me down or cheering me on, depending on the situation.

I pull out my phone and call her.

“Hello?”

“Hey, twinnie.”

“You weren’t in class today. Why?”

“Got sick.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“And you didn’t notice I was gone all day?” she shoots back.

“Sorry. I had a lot going on.”

“I heard,” she says. I roll my eyes. This girl’s information network works faster than anything.

“What did you hear, then?”

“That tiny, beautiful Mr. Montez almost came to blows with the heir to the football captaincy,” she says, and I burst out laughing. Coming from her, it actually sounds funny.

“Yeah, that happened—but not as dramatic as that,” I say. “When are you coming back?”

“Tomorrow. It was just a mild fever, but you know how my folks are,” she says begrudgingly.

“Yeah. Don’t blame them—they love you. That’s just how they show it.”

“Okay, bestie. Good luck with today’s tutorial.”

“Thanks. I’m going to need it.”

We hang up.

I find Dad already waiting at the school gate.

“Hey.”

“Good evening.”

“How was school today?”

“Fine. Ryan will be coming over around seven,” I say.

The raised eyebrow almost makes me groan. My dad can be so nosy.

“Ask away.”

“Well… what’s going on?” he asks, amusement in his voice.

I roll my eyes. My parents seem overly invested in whatever is going on between me and Ryan, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

“Nothing. He didn’t perform well in the exam, and Madam Agatha asked me to tutor him.”

“Hmmm.”

“Meaning?”

“You do realize you could have said no, right?”

“I know, Dad. But I didn’t want to reject Madam Agatha. She said it was a favor.”

“Okay. If you believe that, then who am I to argue?” he says lightly.

“Daaad,” I groan, and he just laughs, shaking his head.

When we get home, Mom isn’t back yet. I head straight to my room—I need to prepare material for the session.

A strange excitement thrums through me.

I just hope tonight goes smoothly