Colin pov
When we ended our sessions together, I found myself wishing I had more time with her. I had seen what a hard-working person she was. She just knew what to block out and what to focus on, which was something he needed to learn from her.
I knew that if I had been paired with someone else, it would take us two hours to get what Poppy and I could do in one.
It would have been better if she still wasn't so stuck up. I tried to make jokes with her, but she said I was only being annoying.
She was still bent on ignoring me at school, especially after we submitted our project today. I guessed it was the sign I needed to stop trying. Some things never worked out.
"Colin, are you there? Earth to Colin." My dad interrupted me from my reverie.
"Sorry, dad. What were you saying?" It had been a while since both of us had dinner together.
We used to have dinner all the time before their divorce. But now it seems like all he has time for is his work. We barely had anything to talk about these days.
Conversation used to flow with ease between us. Now things are just mainly awkward.
He cooked macaroni and cheese which, while it was not particularly great, was edible. It had been a long time since I had a proper homemade meal.
"I was just asking how school was. Made any new friends?" he asked.
"School is fine I guess. I met a guy called Dan. We are playing video games in his house tomorrow."
"Are there any clubs you would like to join in school?"
"Not really," I replied and we continued to eat in silence.
What about your classmates? How are they?" he asked after a while?
"Oh, they are okay. Well everyone, except Poppy, you know our next-door neighbor," I said and dad gave me a meaningful smirk.
"Oh, I know what you are thinking. It is never going to happen. We can't stand each other."
"You know what they say. There is a fine line between love and hate. So you still haven't sorted things out with her?"
"Well, she no longer sends me death glares from her eyes when she sees me. That's an improvement at least," I said.
"Well, you are going to have to try harder. Have you thought about what you want to study in college?"
I groaned.
Not this again. "Jesus, dad! College is like a year away."
"It is never too late to start planning.
Although with those grades of yours, I don't know if I should be worried."
"Are we doing this right now? We are having dinner together after what eternity and we are going to talk about my grades? Come on dad."
He raised his hands in surrender. "I was just saying your grades have not been so great lately. I think you need help, especially in English."
Although I was not proud of it, I tried to guilt-trip him. "Well you know, since the divorce and the move here--"
"Oh come on Colin." It seemed like he had already sensed my scheme. "Your grades have been going down since before…everything with your mother and you know it. So don't try to blame him. Well, I tried.
"Which is why I figured out a way to help you," he said.
I saw the look on his face and he was not quite meeting my eyes. "What do you mean by help?"
He dropped his spoon on the table and looked at me with determination. "I may have come to your school today and I may have met your English teacher telling her you to need help with--"
I groaned. "Dad!"
He held up a hand letting me know that he wanted to finish speaking. "I knew you would say no but, you are only getting lessons in English for now. I think that is fair enough."
I hit my head on the table. "Did you maybe think that you could run it by me first?"
"I don't need your approval. I know what is best for you. So next week you are going to meet Miss Anthony for your schedule. I am not discussing this any further."
"Come on dad. I have a lot of activities after school."
He raised one eyebrow in askance. "Like video games and comic books? I am not going to take care of you forever you know. If your mom were here, she'd--" he sighed, and everywhere went silent.
If mom was here, I had no doubt she would have made me do it without questions.
"Well, she is not." I felt guilty after saying that because I knew he was doing his best.
"Have you spoken with your mom recently?" he asked. "I got a text from her that she can't get through to you."
I scoffed. She was on my block list for now. "If she wanted to have a relationship with me, then she shouldn't have done what she did."
He sighed deeply. "She is your mother Colin. And God knows how close the two of you were. Despite what happens between us, She still loves you a lot."
"She has a very great way of showing it," I said angrily.
Colin, I was thinking maybe we should see a thera-"
"Woah, Woah, Woah," I said. "Not the T-word. Let's not go that far. I don't need a therapist. I am fine. Let's just stop talking about this. Please."
We continued eating in silence, then after a moment my dad said, "Well, I was thinking about going to the dealership on Saturday."
"Why?"
"So that we can get you a car."
This moment would have been joyful for me if we weren't just talking about how awful my grades were. "A car? Really? Is that some sort of reward for something I missed?"
"I would like to think of it as an encouragement. Well, you are seventeen now and it's about time you start having more responsibilities. You already have your driver's license. So I think it would be nice, don't you?"
Oh, there was a catch. "What do you want in return for this?"
"You agree to take the tutoring sessions with Miss Anthony."
A car in exchange for attending some stupid tutoring sessions? Seemed like a sweet deal to me. My dad had gone soft after the divorce.
So I acted as if I relented. if "Ok fine."
"And, you should text your mom at least," he added. "No calls, just a text. At least to let her know you are fine. Please."
Even though I hated her right now, that seemed reasonable enough. I sighed as I took out my phone to send a short text to her. "Done."
###
It was Sunday and since we didn't go to church, I decided to go to the beach. Trips to the beach never failed to make me happy and allowed me to forget my problems at least for a while.
The way I saw things, life was different on the beach. Everything just seemed so peaceful and serene. Beachgoers have crowded around in all directions, their brightly colored umbrellas and towels covering the entirety of the beach.
I glanced around and saw a few teenagers in their swimsuits of different colors and shameless black sunglasses, gamboling around in the sunshine and bubbling with joy. Some mothers brought their giggling toddlers to build sandcastles, wearing bright pink hats sold at the beach which matched their little sunburnt cheeks.
After changing into my swimming suit, as soon as I got into the water, I instantly remembered all the fun that I had the last time I had gone to the beach. It reminded me of the time when our family was not broken.
We had so much fun boogie boarding, collecting seashells, and relaxing in the sand, that I had never wanted to leave. Although we were exhausted by the time we got home, we were happy because we had a great time. If only my life was that simple now.
I noticed the white seagulls were gradually surrounding my food, trying to steal my fries. As I ran to chase them away, I saw a familiar figure on the beach walking in my direction. I squinted my eyes in the sunlight and saw that it was Poppy gradually making her way towards my direction. She was wearing a pair of white shorts with a blue tank top that was the same color as her flip-flops and bag. She had a hat on and she was putting on sunscreen. I did not doubt that she didn't notice me yet, because I was sure she would have run off in the opposite direction.
I knew she asked me never to speak to her, but what was life without a little fun?
"Hey Poppy!" I called out.
She looked shocked to see me but she quickly disguises it by putting on one of the fakest smiles I had ever seen. "Hi, Colin. What are you doing here?"
I raised my eyebrows. "Came to enjoy the view like everyone else," I said. "And you?"
Before she could answer, we heard a voice saying, "Poppy, they ran out of coconut. So, I only got mangoes." It was from a guy running towards us. He was wearing a gray t-shirt and black khaki shorts. I looked at Poppy and she had the biggest smile on her face. I guessed this must be Liam, the boyfriend.
"Mango is fine with me babe," she replied.
"So, she could be sweet. Who would have thought?" I whispered loud enough for her to hear and she shot me one of her icy glares.
"Yeah," she responded between closed teeth. "I am generally nice to people who don't cover me with food and mud. This is why you are so hard to like. I don't even know why I bother with you."
Liam caught up to her and handed her her drink. "Thanks, babe," she said and I had to restrain myself from rolling my eyes.
"Who are you talking to?" He asked, giving me an appraising look.
"Oh Colin, this is Liam, and Liam, this is Colin." She looked at Liam. "He is my new neighbor."
He seemed to be deep in thought like he forgot something and then, he remembered. "Oh, the guy who slammed you with a pie. Lucy told me about that."
Poppy had a weird look on her face. "I remember telling you about that. And since when are you so close with Lucy?"
"Oh, It must have skipped my mind." Liam shrugged. "The friend of my girlfriend is my friend, right? Although, I don't think Sarah likes me that much."
"Don't be ridiculous. She is just not good at showing her emotions. She is very shy," she said with a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes.
I almost laughed. If the girl with the red curls in their group was Sarah, then that was a big lie and I was thinking Liam knew it too. Whenever she was in a room, everyone knew that she was present.
"Well, I guess we move right ahead," Liam said. "Nice meeting you Colin. See you around."
"Yeah. See ya," I replied.
Well, he was quite nice.
But as I watched them walking together, I had a feeling in my chest that I could not quite name.
###
It was Monday, so officially my lessons started this week. I walked into the teacher's office to meet Miss Anthony. I guess I better get this over with.
She was at her desk, scribbling something on her notes and she seemed oblivious to her surroundings.
"Good afternoon ma'am." She didn't respond and I was sure that she wasn't even aware I was standing there. I cleared my throat loudly and her head jerked up.
"Oh my. You must be Colin. You look like your dad. I am so sorry I didn't even notice you were there. Have you been standing there for long? I just got so caught up with work and- Sorry I am rambling." Her cheeks turned slightly pink as she said that.
"Why do you want to see me?"
"Umm, my dad said he spoke to you about tutoring lessons in English."
"Oh Yes he did," she said. "I was thinking that you might not be too comfortable if it was me. Would you like to be tutored by a fellow student?"
How could she read my mind? "That would be great," I said, barely containing my enthusiasm."
"Well then, I have a student in mind, and if she agrees I would let you know. Your tutoring sessions are to be three times a week.
Have a great day Mr. Parker."
"And you too ma'am." As I was walking out of the office when something made me ask. "Who did you have in mind to tutor me?"
"I was thinking of asking Poppy Williams. She is one of my best students. I have no doubt you'll be in good hands.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
"I do not doubt that I will too. Thank you."
I don't know why, but I couldn't stop smiling like an idiot as I left her office.