Chapter 10 FOR MY FUTURE

TYLER's POV

"I'm so glad you considered my suggestion, Tyler." Mr. Clark smiled brightly. He was currently teaching an Algebra. Luckily, his class was busy discussing something for their group projects, chatting away, unable to hear our conversation.

"What do I need to do, Mr. Clark?" I asked feeling nervous.

He smiled and took out a pen and a paper. It was a chart with dozens of student's names.

"We will assign you a tutor and then you can both can figure out a schedule to follow. It would be pretty simple, let me see." He adjusted his eyeglasses and tapped the pencil onto the wooden desk and scanned through the names on the paper. I waited to see what nightmare I'd be paired up with.

"Here's one! Valerie Lawrence. She's an excellent student and has currently tutor someone else. Got B+ if I'm not mistaken." He pointed over to a short and slim girl who was now watching me like a prey.

Although she didn't seem so bad, I couldn't concentrate on my study if she would flirt with me like this.

"I'm sorry but it would be great if my tutor is a guy." I told him and he nodded.

His eyes went back to the paper and scanned on the boy's names and his face lit up. "Jim Rivers. He's the best student in Math I've had in a long time. I have no doubts he'll help you get your grade up so you can continue to play."

"Continue to play? What do you mean?" I frowned. What does he mean? I couldn't play football if I fail in my grades?

"I'm sorry to say this, Tyler, but I've talked to Coach Lee and he demanded to get your grades passed or you'll be benched for the rest of the season.

"What? He can't do that! You can't do that! I need to play so I can get scouted!" I replied, irritably.

"I know that, Tyler. That's why I'm helping you."

"Fine. Whatever. Thanks for the help, anyway. So, Jim Rivers it is!" I said and grabbed my backpack. Just as I was about to walk out of the door, Mr. Clark called me back.

"Tyler, wait!" I groaned and turned back around. What does he want now?

"Forgive me for the intrusion, but Chris told me you're failing in three subjects." What? Does Chris even know about the word ‘confidential'?

"So?" I shrugged.

"Well, in my opinion, it would be much easier to find one student that can tutor you in all instead of getting three tutors. Don't you agree?"

I sighed and pulled my backpack further up my shoulder. "I guess, so." I didn't have time for this. I still have to talk to Maxine about her going to the competition.

"In that case, I might offer you someone else." I looked back at Jim Rivers. He looked smart and surely we could get along. He had to be good at more than Math and World History.

"Who are you talking about?" I asked impatiently as I tapped my shoes on the floor.

"Stella Hemmings." My whole body froze. Did he just say Stella the nerd? Oh shit, no!

"No." I said bluntly. I do not want to be tutored by Stella Hemmings, not unless I wanted social suicide.

"Why not?" Mr. Clark looked confused and furrowed eyebrows. How could he not know why I didn't want to be tutored by her? Barely anyone did.

"I told you, I'm more comfortable with a guy. You know majority of girls here in school chase after me because I'm famous, rich—"

"I know that, Tyler. But Stella is different." He chuckled and tucked his pencil behind his ear. "I can assure you, she is sweet, lovely and the perfect person for your situation." Perfect? More like the worst nightmare.

"What's wrong with Jim Rivers?"

"Jim is a very smart guy indeed, but he only has a B average in Math and World History and I'm sure it would be better to have a student who is exceedingly high in all subjects to make your tutoring sessions the most efficient."

He paused for a while and I was left thinking.

"Stella has gotten straight A's throughout all her high school career." Of course she had to study hard. If not, then her scholarship would be taken away from her.

Do I really want Stella the nerd, the girl I used to bully, to tutor me? But from the look on Mr. Clark's face, it seemed like I had no choice.

"Fine, I'll take it." we would have to set up some rules. The last thing I wanted was to be seen with her. And I don't want Maxine to know about this. She's the jealous type of girl but with Stella's looks, I don't know if she will feel insecure with the cute nerd. Cute? Fuck, no!

Mr. Clark frowned and took the pencil out behind his ear. "Here's the thing, Tyler. Stella can be rather picky in choosing students to study."

What?

"I thought tutors did this for extra credit and they are accepting money for it?" I know that's how the system worked in tutoring.

"Stella is extraordinary bright, the smartest person in the campus if you ask me. She barely needs the extra credit. And for the payment, she's doing it for free because she wants to help students who are… not smart enough."

"What would I do, then?" I huffed. I didn't have time for this.

"Ask her."

Excuse me?

"Ask her?" I repeated. As in talk to her? No fucking way!

"It's not that difficult, Tyler. Just ask her and she'll probably consider." Fuck it, I have to actually talk to her not bully her?

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll give you Jim, but I'm afraid you won't get the grades in three subjects to get your average up to where you need it to be and the worst, you can't play football."

I have to do this, for my future, right?