Chapter 6

“I didn't mean to…” I said quietly.

David was about to walk over to me when someone reached out to grab his shoulder and pulled him back. “Everything okay?”

I looked up and saw Elliot; it gave me such a relieving feeling as I saw him.

David looked at Elliot before shrugging off his hand, “Everything's fine.” he answered back.

“Well, you better go then,” he tells him and David slowly started to walk away.

David took a last look over and we made eye contact, but I turned away quickly.

“Thanks…” I said as I moved to pick up the books from the ground.

“No problem. I was trying to figure out where you went off to,” he said as he moved to sit on the chair beside me.

I looked at the books for a second before putting them on the table and I no longer feel like working on my assignment anymore. “He’s kind of…” I said but I didn't know how to finish that sentence.

“Scary? Intimidating?” Elliot asked and sighed as he shrugged his shoulder. “He can be a dick, but don't let him get to you. He just has a bad reputation.”

I nod as I wipe my hands over my pants before turning to Elliot. “Hey, what are you doing after school?" I ask him.

Elliot raised an eyebrow before shrugging his shoulder, “Nothing. Why?”

“Mind if I get a ride home?” I asked him.

“No, it's fine. I can do that,” he answered, smiling.

I don't know why, but being around Elliot has started to give me a comfortable feeling and we’re getting along better compared to our first meeting.

“Thank you,” I said.

The bell rang making me remember that lunch was over and I moved to put my books back in my backpack.

“Well, come on. I’ll walk with you for a bit.” Elliot said as he stood up.

“Yeah,” I said as I got up as well and there was an awkward silence before we made our way out towards the hallway.

Elliot walked beside me for a while before he had to go towards a different direction and I waved at him seeing him disappear. I found my classroom soon after and I sat in the middle back where there was an empty chair. This could be the most difficult class for me since we will be having group projects and lab work. I've never liked science, but I was never that great with group projects and having to do presentations in front of the class. I feel like people are smarter compared to me and I wouldn’t be holding them back from a better grade if I wasn't involved. When class started, the teacher handed me a syllabus list of projects to be expected and of course, we'll be having three group projects for the semester. I sighed as I began to sort out my work and catch up on the lesson that was written on the board.

The next week or two could just be me working on extra work material and possible extra credit if I can't keep up with the lessons. I might have to look for a tutor because of two classes I might struggle with. I couldn't understand the worksheet they handed out. Now that I have all this work, all I want to do is go home and lay down on my bed. Forget about school and make myself forget that I even have homework. Maybe I should consider homeschool just to finish the rest of the school year, but that was just a ridiculous thought. As much as that would be easier on me, I know that it’ll just make me become more antisocial than I’ve already become.

The third period went by so fast, but I never had any issues with any of my classmates and I had no problem with the work. I went to my last class of the day and changed into my gym clothes and looked around once outside; I tried to see where my class would be. I was careful moving around and tried to make sure I wasn't in anyone's way as I figured out if I might have to look for a teacher instead.

“Hey! Michael!” I heard Elliot called out.

I turned around and saw him walking over to me. “Hi,” I said.

“You're okay?”

“Yeah. Just really tired.” I answered as I looked around before turning to him. “I'm still not sure where my class is at.”

“Hm, what teacher do you have?” he asks as he looks around the field.

“Cruz,” I tell him.

“You have it easy. Cruz doesn't do much aside from making you run laps then does free-play,” he said before pointing out to the basketball court. “Your class lines up there.”

“And you?”

“I have a separate class. I'm on the volleyball team so our coach put the team in his gym class to give us extra work out when we don't have after-school practice,” he tells me.

I nod as I thought about it before turning to him. “How long have you been playing?” I asked.

“Since freshman year,” he answered.

I nod and I wasn't too sure what to say when suddenly the bell rang and we had to part again.

“Alright. I'll see you later.” I said as I started to make my way.

Elliot was right when he said that the teacher was a bit lazy with his lessons because all he had us do was a couple of exercises and let us walk around the track until the bell rings. I watched a couple of people walking ahead of me with their group of friends while the other classes were busy doing drills or playing on the basketball court or playing baseball. I didn't mind the walk since I've never been the athletic type, but what else am I supposed to do besides walking alone or should I even bother trying to join a group when I'm not too welcomed? I sighed as I paused for a bit and looked around the field when I noticed a girl from my class started walking over to me.

“Hello,” she said awkwardly as she came beside me and she looked just as uncomfortable as I felt. “I'm Jennifer. I'm in the same class with you in Ms. Lang, from first-period, and also I’ve been meaning to introduce myself to you.”

“I'm Michael,” I said.

“I only wanted to say that if you need help with anything in our class or anything else, you can always ask me.” She said as we both started walking and she gave me a small smile. “I know Elliot is there to help out, but he can be a little stupid sometimes and acts like he knows everything.”

“You know Elliot?” I asked her.

“Kind of. My brother was on the volleyball team with him before he quit this year so I was able to see him a couple of times during tournaments or home-games,” she answered.

I nod. “Well, thanks for offering your help.”

“It's fine. I know it must be difficult being new and maybe you're confused with the homework or the lessons.” She said. “I usually do group tutoring sessions with a few friends after school which was why I wanted to see if you would like to join us.”

“Oh,” I said as I thought about joining a group of strangers.

"Don't worry. You don't have to come to the group sessions. I can always do private tutoring if you want." she said as she saw my hesitation. “Group sessions are every Tuesday, Wednesday, and we offer sign-ups if people want to meet on Fridays. It's all in the school library since it's open until six.”

I thought about this and I took a deep breath. “I actually do need a bit of help... I was completely lost in class and you guys are on a different lesson plan compared to my other school.”

She smiled and nodded, “Well, as I said, if you want a private tutor we can set it up. Just come by and we can work out a schedule.” she said.

“Are you charging for these meet-ups?” I asked.

“Oh no. I do it for summer jobs, but I just like to help out and there's a program in the school that I volunteer in," she said. “I just know how hard it is being new in school. My family moved twice in elementary and middle school so I know how difficult it can be.”

I nodded as I turned to her and took a deep breath. “I'll come, but I won't be coming by until maybe next week. I'm still trying to adjust to everything and I'm sure you saw how I was in Ms. Lang's class on my first day; plus today.”

Jennifer nods as she brushes her hair behind her ears. “I saw. It was a bit weird. They tried to explain, but it was just something I didn't think was real.”

Hearing her say how weird it is kind of made me look down. “I know. Sorry about that. New environments are just hard to adjust to. I have a problem with people touching me or a certain way people react makes me feel uneasy. It's difficult to explain.”

She nods, frowning slightly. “Seems like it's a burden.”

I opened my mouth but paused for a second before turning to her, “Hey, Jennifer, where do you sit in Ms. Lang’s class?” I asked her.

“In the back; maybe three or four rows behind you,” she answered.

“Mind if I sit with you tomorrow?” I asked her.

She smiled and nodded, “Yeah, I don't mind.” she answered.

We continued on walking for a couple more minutes and Jennifer would comment about the students or about the class to help keep the conversation going. It actually felt nice that I finally made at least one friend, beside Elliot, and it wasn't something I was expecting. Jennifer seemed like someone who had good intentions. It was nice of her to offer to help when I wasn’t expecting it from anyone in the school; besides the teachers. The bell rang for us to return to the locker room and we both went our own way. I waited a couple of minutes outside the building waiting for there to be less of a crowd inside then quietly changed into my clothes. When I finally came outside I saw Elliot waiting for me and we both began to make our way to the parking lot.

“So, how was class?” he asked.

“It actually wasn't so bad in the end,” I tell him.

“I saw you were talking to someone earlier,” he comments.

“Yeah, Jennifer. She's in our first period and she offered tutoring sessions after school. She said you know her?” I ask him.

“Oh yeah, I do. She's a really nice person. I say go for it, it can help you catch up on the classwork.” he said.

We got inside the car and I set my backpack down. “I was thinking of that. I'm actually really behind so I might have to take up that offer.” I said and sigh. “I'm so tired of today.”

“You're finally going home,” Elliot said and smiled. “But, hey, you made it through the whole day.”

“Yeah, with your help,” I said and turned to him as he started driving out of the school lot. “Mind if we can hang out again? Like outside of school.”

Elliot glanced over at me before focusing on the road and nodded, "Sure. You have something in mind?" he asks.

“I just want to go out more. As I said, I want to do better and that just means I need to step out of my boundaries.” I said as I looked down. “It feels a little embarrassing to say this, but I honestly feel like I can trust you and I’m starting to be comfortable with it.”

Elliot blushed a bit and I heard him chuckle. “You're modest.” He mumbled.

“Sorry. I hope that wasn't embarrassing.” I said and quickly got out of the car once he parked at my house. “We don’t have to if you're busy.”

“It wasn't embarrassing,” Elliot said, calling me back. “I'm glad that you trust me because I was hoping you would. How about Saturday? We'll hang out; go to the movies or go bowling or hang out at the mall.”

I looked at him for a long second before nodding, “Alright. I don't mind any of that. It's been a while since I've done something.”

“Alright. Sounds like a plan.” He said. “I'll see you tomorrow. I can come by and pick you up again if you want.”

“If you don't mind,” I said.