Chapter Five

Leah's P.O.V

"You will be tutoring Mr. Kings till the end of the school session."

I should have heard wrong.

I must have heard wrong.

Sitted in the midst of the people who decided the outcome of my academic life was already a nerving experience on its own but them informing me that I had to tutor Mason Kings- the boy I vowed never to like for the rest of the academic session,,, was another nerving experience on its own.

They could give me a million people to tutor and I'd rather have that than tutor Mason Kings.

Really?

Okay.. not a million.. like three people but you get the point. I couldn't stand being with him- not to talk more of tutoring him.

"I'm sorry.. I don't understand Mr. Hollins. Why do I have to be the one to tutor him?" I asked, fidgeting in my seat as Hollins, Mrs. Flips—or Phillips, my English Lit teacher (though I playfully called her Flips for my amusement), and the football coach all fixated their gazes on me.

"There are so many good tutors in school that would love to help Mason. Why can't he just ask any of those other people?" I added. Normally, I kept to myself and always carried out whatsoever task teachers threw my way but this- this was something I couldn't afford to do.

"He isn't the one choosing who to tutor him. We are... and we choose you. " Hollins responded heavily, like we were discussing how to get good business.

My heart thrummed in my ears as I realized it was going to be hard to get out of this.. but I had to try.

"Why me? I have a lot of students waiting on me to tutor them. It isn't good of me to bail on them. " I reasoned, hoping my excuse was good enough.

"The amount of students on your tutor board will be cut down to a decent size for you to be able to tutor Mr. Kings." My eyes sweep between the three of them, wondering why they were imminent on me being the object of use.

"What if I decline?" I asked in a low tone. A shocked gasp leaves Flips while Coach Briggs snorts in response. My hand trembled from the outcome of my question. I hated being in the midst of individuals who had power to determine how my life could go. It made me feel smaller than I already did. 

Weaker.  

Hollins  relaxes back in his seat and clasps his hand together.

"What do you want to study in college Miss Baker?" Such an unexpected question that I don't think of what to answer quickly.

"Pharmacy." I answer robotically after much internal pondering hoping Hollins didn't catch my moment of hesitation. He raises a brow before speaking.

"Try again."

Damn. He saw through it. I let out a sigh and rested my back in my chair, playing with my fingers as they formed avwar against scratching the inside of my palms- a symptom of anxiety.

"Journalism." I answered with a sigh.

"I knew it!" Flips exclaimed happily. It gave me a warm feeling to see how she was in support of what I truly wanted to do in college. No one ever saw the nerd other than a science birthed human and would expect nothing less from us in all aspects of our academic lives which is why it has always scared me to talk about the one thing I was truly passionate about. 

Writing. 

"Please could you two excuse us?" Hollins says, looking at the coach and Flips.

"Of course sir" Coach Briggs begins to head out, not before he gives me a strange look, with Flips following behind replacing that feeling of fear with an assuring smile.

Once the door closes, my once calm exterior due to the presence of Mrs Philips but now that she's gone, the fear takes over again. Hollins knew the truth now and I was scared at what he was going to use this information to do.

"I assume you've already applied to the colleges you'd like to get into ?" He asks, already returning back to our conversation. I was finding it hard to form words without stuttering.

"Is University of Southern California your first choice?" He presses, putting his hand on his chin.

My heart skipped a beat as he mentioned my dream college. I have dreamt of attending USC for as l long as I can remember. Hearing all the stories from mum about her life at USC and how she met dad leading them to fall in love. It was everything I wanted my life to be. And not just the love part. Mum had a beautiful college experience. I wanted that. I wanted to be able to look back at my past and not regret it, to be able to tell my kids all about it one day and they would feel the same love and  passion I had harbored towards USC. No one knew how much I wanted to be a journalist. It had always been my dream to write for a publishing company but being a nerd- although having its advantages, it also came with its disadvantages. On one hand, you would get recognized by your teachers and would be held in high regards by them but on the other hand, you'd be expected to study science related courses in college. This was also expected of me by my parents. Unspoken as it was, their expectations hung in the air, and I sensed them. But I wasn't going to be able to meet up to their expectations which is why I worked towards going to USC on scholarship.

"You need recommendation don't you?" 

"The Dean of the department of Mass communications and Media studies was my high school classmate. We go a long way back. I should be able to put in a word for you." I finally look up at him, a feeling of shock wash over me.

"Are you trying to bribe me to tutor Mason Mr. Hollins?"  Mr. Hollins was a man I always admired because of the fair justice he always served to students so having him do this to me made me disappointed.

"If I'm being honest, that had been my idea at first but then I realized that we are both better than petty bribery. You're an honors student to me Leah and I expect nothing less of you getting into USC on scholarship because you're that exceptional. I actually just wanted to help out and recommend you- there's no agenda behind that."

"And if I say no to tutoring Mason?" His face remains passive  following with a small shrug.

"Like I said, there's no agenda behind me recommending you. You're a good student who deservesit." He replies calmly.

Now how could I possibly say no to this?

"Would it be okay if I tell you my decision tomorrow sir?" I asked. I can see how his face lights up but hides his happiness immediately which makes me wonder why he was so adamant on helping Mason Kings of all assholes. 

"Yes. Of course. I will be expecting to hear from you tomorrow." I stand up, feeling relieved a bit.

"Thank you Mr. Hollins." 

I leave the office feeling different emotions all at once. Hollins was proud of me doing journalism. He didn't mind the fact that I was a "nerd" and wanted to do something of the other side. He even planned on recommending me to a Dean at my dream college!! And let's not even talk about Flips who couldn't hide her excitement. I had people supporting me in my dream.

But then all these definitely have to come with a price. I know Hollins has assured me that I didn't have to tutor Mason for him to recommend me but come on, it would actually be asshole of me to not help Hollins out because it seems he really does want to help Mason for whatever reason unknown to me.

"You're the asshole." rings in my mind like the alarm going off for the next class.

Ugh. Mason and I haven't bumped into each other lately, and while I enjoyed the break, that sentence lingered in my mind at the oddest moments. It made me ponder if I might have overreacted regarding the whole refusal to tutor him. Honestly, I had no clue what I meant when I said I wouldn't tutor someone like him. I just wanted to decline in any way possible, oblivious to whether he got hurt in the process... and, well, he did get hurt.

And I didn't know how to feel about that because he had actually also hurt me by just apologizing all because he needed help with his assignment. We were both the assholes.. and maybe I might have been more of an asshole just by a bit.

I pushed all that down to the deepest part of my mind. We would open that chapter when we see each other again.

'Opening it up'  was soon enough because as soon as I entered the hallway leading to my locker, Mason had been walking past it.

It had just been three days- not that I was counting but its just been those few days since we saw each other and I wondered how it was possible to get hotter in three days. 

What are you thinking Leah?!

"Hi. " He was the first to break the awkward silence as we both stood facing each other.

"Hi" I reply and the silence continues. It was too sudden seeing him. I hadn't come up with what I wanted to say to him . Seeing I'm no going to say anything- not on my own will, he nods his head and starts walking away. I also continue on my way but then I stop remembering Hollins desire to help him.

God- I hate this.

"Mason" I called out, releasing a deep breath before turning around and there he was, with that smug look, leaning by the wall.

"You're forgiven by 50 percent." He says with a smirk and I raise a brow.

"Forgiven for what? I don't remember doing anything to you...." I reply, rolling my eyes.

"And why fifty?" I ask helplessly due to my shameless need to always have perfect scores for everything- getting forgiven included.

"You'll be forgiven by a hundred if you accept to be my tutor. " My eyes turn to him as he grins cheekily at me.

He had really good teeth.

And a nice smile.

And-

Back to the matter Leah!!

"Why do you want me to be your tutor Kings? You're popular.  You have other smart people as friends who could help you out? Why me?" I asked because I genuinely wanted to know. Why did everyone want me particularly to tutor Mason?

"Well I-"

"Hey man." Asher Sleaton greets as he gives Mason a bro hug which he reluctantly returns.

My pulse was likely indiscernible at this point because I felt paralyzed.

There he was, Asher, right in front of me. The guy I'd harbored a crush on for three years.

Asher Sleaton had claimed my heart from the moment he courteously held the door for me in class, ensuring it stayed open while others closed it in my face. With his blonde locks and piercing electric blue eyes, he was the sole person I'd ever consider sharing my heart with.

"Brown" Someone says, putting a hand on my shoulder. It was enough to unmelt my frozen self.

"You good?" Mason asks and I nod my head. I look at Asher and he gives me a small wave.

"Hey.. I'm Asher. How are you?" He asks with his swoon - worthy dimple smile which makes me blush hard.

"Good am I- I mean I good am- I mean I'm good. " I jumbled my words shamelessly.

Someone kill me right now. This was so embarrassing.

Mason gives me a weird look but I don't pay further attention to him, too busy listening to Asher's beautiful chuckle.

"Okay.. I'll catch you later Mase. Bye Brown." He waves before walking away. I look at Mason but he was too busy glaring at Asher to notice me.

"Stop staring at him that way. " I say before I could stop myself.

Mason turns to look at me with a raised brow, folding his arms in the process.

"What?!"

"What was with the jumbling of words when you spoke to Asher?"

"I- I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't jumble any words.." he nods his head in a sarcastic manner.

"Of course you didn't jumble your words. You just said 'I'm good' in three different ways. That was all that was."  Not coming up with anything to defend myself with, I don't reply I don't reply walk away. Its not long before he falls in step with me, his arms still folded.

"I'm still wondering though why you, the sharp mouthed human that you are, would have your words all jumbled up. " He says thoughtfully. "The only reason that- No way!!"

Shit.

"How long have you had a crush on Asher?" My hand fly up to his mouth, shutting him up and glaring at him.

"Let me go!!" He says in a muffled voice. I don't bid to his request and get a bite on my palm.

"Ouch!" I take my hand off his mouth immediately glaring at him but he met my gaze head on.

"You could've just told me to be quiet Brown. Don't need to kill me."

"I don't have a crush on him. " 

"You don't?" He says smugly but I don't give in and nod my head.

"I don't. He looks cool but I don't like him." I lie smoothly. A wistful expression is plastered on his face.

"Awwww and here I was thinking of setting you two up to get to know each other but since you don't like him- oh well." He walks, ahead of me and I have to jog towards him to catch up due to how fast he was, his long legs making it difficult.

"What do you mean set us up to get to know each other?" He raises a brow questioningly when I almost slip up.

"I'm asking hypothetically of course." I mentally pat myself in the back. Good save.

"Well, hypothetically, if you liked Asher, I could've assisted in bringing you two together. Imagine going on dates, hanging out with one of the most popular boys in school and who knows, he might even take you to prom—" Mason's words faded as I zoned out, envisioning Asher and me standing in front of the entire school, dancing to 'About You' by The 1975.

"But since you don't like him, there's no need for you two to know each other..." he walks away again, humming to a song.

My mind already a gooey and love struck mess, immediately spoke up without thinking.

"If I agree to be your tutor, would you set us up?" He turns back in a second, smirking at me.

"Of course.. he would ask you to prom Brown. This I promise." His tone is filled with assurance.  Assurance that has locked me in as I give into the desires of Mr. Hollins.

"Tuesdays and Thursdays.. those are the days I can offer you." He gives me his hand to shake.

"Deal." I look up at him, his green eyes shone brightly with excitement and something else I couldn't quite decipher.

This was a good chance to have a start at what I was envisioning my last year in High School to be like.

I shake my head in hopes I wouldn't regret what I was about to do. This was Mason Kings. The most popular boy in all of Bayter High School.

A deal with him could make or break me... and he would never get the bad part of the stick.

"Deal." I shake his hand, sealing my fate.