Chapter Four

Mason's P.O.V

Human beings are predictable. 

At least that's what I thought. Ever since I was little and I knew how important and influential my  family was- and not just in this town but the country, everything had always been handed to me at my beck and call and then at first, due to my little oblivious age, I always thought the reason was because I was a good and well -  behaved kid which urged me to continue being that way from attending all my classes diligently to helping out my nannies. I had lived in that delusional bubble for a while until one of my birthday parties which was never just a little kid's birthday party , I informed everyone that my parents wouldn't be around to attend. They all left like the party had become a crime scene. It was meant to be a prank and as soon as my father called back the county commissioner at that time to let him know that I had pulled a prank on them, everyone rolled in once again like flies chasing garbage. It was then I knew that being a good kid had nothing to do with how people treated me and so I used it to my advantage. If I asked the mayor of Bayter to give me a car right now, he would and I kid you not- that was the honest truth all because my father was in the top three leading petroleum companies in the state and top forty in the world. I was literally a king. 

Now, having Brown walk out on me was something that has never occured ever. I did want to go after her but I was too shocked by her walking away that I couldn't find it in me to stop her. Why exactly wasn't she charmed by my good looks and charismatic self? All the girls here were suckers for my smile so why did Brown look repulsed by it? 

"Mr. Kings, your essay?" Mrs. Flips—well, technically Philips, though she remained unaware of my nickname for her—extended her right hand, awaiting the submission of my paper. I responded with a friendly smile.

"The essay on Mrs. Allison's book right?"

"Jane Austen Mr. Kings.. Jane Austen." She corrects and shakes her head, walking away with a tired sigh. 

After Flips finished collecting everyone's papers, she resumed discussing Allison's book and its relevance to life. Although I tried to pay attention, listening about Mrs. Darcy over and over again was becoming boring leading me back into my wonderous thoughts about why Brown walked out on me.

Right- you might be wondering who Brown is. 

It is Lisa.

Yes- I finally discovered her real name- thankfully not from Lisa herself. I had asked Grace, her friend who I had seen her with a couple of times and she told me. Now I know I had been calling her candy- the reason being that nickname stemmed from how far she was from being a sweet person and what better way of feeling better than calling the person the opposite of their true nature? 

But now, aftergetting a glimpse of her actual hair color, I didn't think of her that way anymore. I was just filled with immense curiosity as to why she would dye her hair blonde. I was dying to know the reason and I decided that 'Candy' didn't suit her as much as 'Brown' did... because- and not to sound like some cliché dude but it felt like that was the real her.

That was so cliché.

"And that's the end for today's class. Read chapter fifteen and sixteen for next class because that we'll be discussing next class." I look up and find that the class was already deserted. It was just me and a gangly looking dude who was taking his time to pack his books left to leave. I quickly pack up my things- in a messy way of course and start leaving but Flips calls me back. 

"Mrs. Philips." I say with a smile but she isn't smiling.

"That essay was meant to be your C.A Mr. Kings. " She says formally.

"I know Mrs. Philips. I've just been so busy with sports, I didn't have time to get it done but if you can give me until next week-"

"I gave you two weeks Mr. Kings due to this same reason you had told me about the last time. That was your last chance." She doesn't say anything further and resumed what she was doing. Not knowing what I could say to convince her, I wordlessly left for lunch. 

"Whatsup man, what's with the gloom face?" Josh, asks me. I plopped down on a chair, letting out a sigh.

"My English Lit teacher isn't having it with me. I wasn't able to turn in my essay."

"I thought you were going to ask that tutor girl- Leah was it." He says, taking a bite out of his burrito.

"Its Lisa and don't tell anyone, also don't laugh....okay?" he drops his burrito and looks at me, his eyes drowning in interest.

"What happened?"

"The tutor girl called me an asshole and walked out." he muffles his laughter by clenching his fist in his mouth, attempting to stifle his amusement. However, his efforts fail, and within seconds, the entire cafeteria echoes with his boisterous laughter, garnering unwanted attention. I land a solid punch on his arm, urging him to tone it down, especially since we're typically accustomed to being in the spotlight. After finally quelling his laughter, he smirks at me.

"A girl turned you down for the first time- how does that feel my boy?" He says, laughter accompanying his words and I glare at him.

"I'm going to punch you harder than I did before." This makes him laugh harder.

"Come on Josh- I'm being serious here. "

"Okay.. okay- I'll stop laughing.... I'm listening. What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know man. I-"

"Mason Kings, please report to the principal's office immediately. Mason Kings to the principal's office." 

"What did you do now?" Josh asks with a sigh and I shrug my shoulders in response and lazily stand up from my seat.

I make my way out of the cafeteria approach the principal's office—my second visit this week. Knocking on the door, I enter upon hearing a 'come in.' Initially slouching, my posture instinctively straightens upon seeing Coach Briggs wearing a stern expression. I noticed Mrs. Flips was here too and then I realized what this was about. 

"Have a seat Mason." Hollins says calmly, three pairs of eyes assessing me at the same time when I try to sit but change my mind immediately.

"Thank you for the kind gesture sir but I would prefer to stand." 

"That's what I thought." Coach Briggs let out gruffly.

"So Mr. Kings- we've always known you to be a straight A student but it has come to our notice that you've been failing in your English Lit class since you started your senior year." 

"You shouldn't allow one subject to bring down your perfect grade Mason." 

"Yes sir and I'm working towards doing better-"

"That's what you've been saying Mr. Kings but I'm not seeing any commitment and that's why I had to bring it to the notice of your coach and principal." 

I used to think Flips was a laid back teacher.. now, she was just annoying. Dragging coach Briggs into this was something that she should've never done to me. This was betrayal.

"That's why we've come to a decision. You'll be getting yourself a tutor and they would have to help you pass the upcoming finals with an A in order for you to play your last match."

"What?! That's the finals Mr. Hollins. I have to practice and-"

"You're going to be a sub Mase for the rest of the games up until the finals so you better step up in English Lit and play at the end of the school session." Coach Briggs informs me, folding his arms.

"That's a long time Coach."

"It is. So you have more time to prepare for finals Mase- considering that you get an A in English Lit." 

I was angry.

I wanted to yell at them and ask why they had the right to tell me what grade to pass with. 

I didn't.

"I'll get a tutor to start next week."

"Also, you need to pass the next test to qualify playing as a sub." Briggs adds again and whereas I admired my coach, his face looked like a really good punching bag right now. 

"I will pass the test coach." I look at the three people who had just ruined my day. 

"If  that is all, I'm going to leave the office now." I don't wait to know if they had more dictatorial orders to add and leave the office. 

This was the last thing I needed at the moment, and in my book, Brown was the culprit. I'd politely sought her help, but she, being the stuck-up and irksome person she is, simply brushed me off and exited. If anyone had a right to be furious, it was me, and I was seething. However, there was no time for a rage session; I needed a tutor pronto, and unfortunately, Brown was the sole tutor on my radar.

I  walk to the hallway, thinking of where she could stay during lunch when I notice she was at her locker, taking some books out.  

Hallelujah!

 I didn't even have to look for her.

"Brown." No response. 

"Brown" I called out again, already getting annoyed.

"Br-  Candy." Still no response. I get fed up and tap her on the shoulder. She jerks a bit but relaxes when she sees its me, taking out her ear buds- also glaring at me in the process. 

"What do you want?" She asks flatly and I'm taken back again at the rudeness and disinterest.

"Why exactly are you mad at me? I should be the mad one because you made me bang my assignment and now I'm in bigger trouble than I have ever been."

"How is it my fault that you failed to turn in your assignment?" She countered, folding her arms. 

God, she really was annoying.

"I asked you to help me out and you called me an asshole and walked away. I don't remember doing anything asshole like to you."

"I don't even know why I bother listening to what you say. " She closes her locker and straps her backpack on her shoulder, looking like she was going to walk out again but I hold her arm.

"Look Brown I need you to be my tutor." I say to her and I guess I had become an entertainer without my knowledge because she starts laughing. I found it cute at first but it became annoying as it started sounding mocking.

"What's so funny about me asking you to be my tutor?" I said, getting a bit annoyed. 

"The idea that you'd even consider tutoring someone like you is what's amusing." I release her arm as she utters those words.

"I can't believe I found you intriguing...maybe it was the whole hair color thing, the solitude. Yet, you're just a stuck-up, irritating individual who passes judgments without knowing a damn thing. You're the real asshole." She gasps in astonishment, quickly regaining composure and shooting me an intense glare. Proudly, I meet her gaze head-on. Opting not to waste any more time on her, I pivot and stride away, leaving her standing there. A surge of anger and a hint of bitterness course through me.

Brown, or whatever her real name was now, no longer held any significance.